Tiger Mountain Properties, our in country partner in Nepal, has demonstrated a commitment to sustainable travel and ecoturism. They support a wide range of local programs, in addition to creating their own community projects throughout the country. These focus on health, education, and conservation, and illustrate Tiger Mountain’s concern for the environmental and human needs that exist where its lodges, camps and trekking routes are located. Global Basecamps is happy to be contributing to the Tiger Mountain Properties’ school programs.
Tiger Tops Swissair Pre-School
The Tiger Tops Swissair Pre-School and library, located on the edge of Chitwan National Park in the southern Terai, Nepal, is now in its 15th year. In collaboration with the Swissair Staff Fund for Children’s Relief, the school was created for underprivileged children who were unable to afford government school fees; it provides free education, meals and health care. The free head start program was developed for young children of poor families near the Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge. The students are selected from the different ethnic communities in the area, Mushahar, Bote, Tharu, Kammi, Damai, Gurung, Kamal etc., based on their financial and nutritional needs. The school strives to provide the children with the skills necessary to prepare them for further education, and then funds their onward education in government school when they complete the 4-year program.
Since its establishment, 173 students have gone through the Tiger Tops Swissair program, consisting of kindergarten to 2nd grade. The school now has four classrooms and a library, which is open to all village children on the weekends. This year 19 students graduated in April and were then enrolled in government schools within the area. With funding from the International Trust for Nature Conservation, students have planted a tree nursery, which helps provide income for the school while teaching the children about conservation and responsibility for the natural resources. It also aids in local reforestation efforts. A new tree plantation project is also under development; it would allow the school to expand a “one tree for every student” project. There is a school buffalo which provides milk for the children and fuels the bio-gas unit for cooking meals.
The school is funded jointly by Tiger Tops and Swissair, and is additionally supported by guests and other donors. The school provides meals, uniforms, books, school supplies, and health care in addition to schooling. The Tharu Lodge medical officer monitors the students health and nutrition with monthly check ups. A portion of the funds are also saved for the children’s continued education at government schools once they have graduated from Tiger Tops Swissair.
Tiger Mountain Tharu Lodge Community Outreach
Furthermore, with the support of guests and friends, Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge continues to be able to help many more children than its Tiger Tops Swissair Pre-School can accommodate by assisting with 5 teacher’s salaries in 3 community schools. These schools also provide education for children from marginalized groups, many of whom cannot afford government schooling. If not for these schools, the children probably never would have received any education. All 3 of these local schools have now been registered with the government. Thanks to one of the lodge’s guests, all students and staff in these 3 schools receive annual eye exams. Other donations have gone towards school supplies, clothing, construction of a toilet and drinking water pump, and a roof.
Should you wish to make a donation, a personal check in any currency payable to “Mountain Travel Nepal P.Ltd. – Swissair School” may be mailed to:
Asta Kshetri
Tiger Tops Swissair Preschool
PO Box 242, Kathmandu, Nepal
Why not visit the school in person and see all the other great community programs Tiger Mountain Properties has in place? To begin planning a Nepal tour please fill out our custom tours form online or give us a call at (866) 577-2462!
