Bespoken Social Service.

Juway is a Sherpa village of some 400 people including children, located in the Everest region of Nepal, 6500 ft. above sea level. Although this region is very popular with tourists many villages including Juway are not situated on the main routes and therefore do not benefit from tourism. There are no roads in this region and travel is by footpath only. The villagers all Sherpa people are part of a very close community, a community where everyone knows each other by name, families having known each other through generations.

 

Only primary level education is available in the village, and then not every child is able to attend. At this time there is a 9kw electric power plant, allowing for up to three light bulbs and one low demand outlet in each home. This electric plant was built and supplied by the Moving Mountain Trust based in Belfast, UK. in 2004, bringing electricity to the village for the first time Farming is the main occupation in Juway; this is done in an environment that can at times be harsh.

 

The main crop is potato, as the altitude is too high to sustain rice. Other crops grown are carrots, soya, cabbage, herbs and a variety other minor crops. The crops are mainly used to feed the population of the village, except for the potatoes which are sold to lower altitude villages. Therefore the only way to earn any income is to temporarily or permanently leave the village often for Katmandu or even to go abroad.

 

So what is the Development Project, where did it come from and why is it needed: It is the inspiration of a group of 8 people from the village who have all on a temporary basis moved away to find education and work. Some of them have been helped and have been given opportunities through foreign support. Amazingly all of them are young, predominantly in their twenties. The objective is to use their knowledge and experience to improve the quality of life in their village, and open up opportunities for others in their home community.

 

Why is it needed:

• To repair and provide the old and leaking cold water supply.
• To help diversify the crops, plant and produc tea, provide a drying plant and the business knowledge to market it and provide a sustainable income for the future.
• To improve educational opportunities by providing books, writing materials not only for children but also for adult Sherpa people. This includes providing funding for the very poorest families who's children cannot currently afford to send their children to school.
• To improve and widen single-track trails and if possible add bridges over rivers.
• To build a village community hall for everyone to use and benefit from.
• To provide for religious and cultural teaching by being able to employ a Buddhist Lama for the village.
• To build a public toilet block in the village.

 

So how is it achieved:

ALL of the money raised goes to the village. There are no running costs or administrative fees. Everyone who works on the Project does so voluntarily.

 

The money works on several levels:

• It pays for community projects in Juway such as building and repairing the water system.
• It buys local skills and materials, putting money into the local community
• It buys time. The local people could not spare time from their daily work of growing the food they need to live. The money means they can buy in extra food.
• It pays for teachers and materials for education
• It supports education for villagers outside the village.

 

How is it organized:
The Juway development project is a registered charity organized by a small group of voluntary trustees, being devised and lead by Ang Pemba Sherpa in conjunction with R. Saxby in the UK, who regularly visits Nepal to assist with all aspects of the development projects.

 

The project is in its infancy having only been registered with the Nepalese Government in 2008. A website and hopefully business sponsorship is planned for the near future. But remember birth must come first.

 

 

What can you do to help?

Send a donation either as a one off or on a non-committed regular basis (remember every penny goes to the village). Invite us to give one of our illustrated talks telling you about Nepal and the village of Juway. Organize a sponsored event, have a car boot or garage sale in aid of the Juway Development Project

 

Contact Us

info@himalayas-trek.com (Nepal)
or for

rsaxby@hotmail.co.uk (UK) for more information