Sankhuwasabha is the remote hill district in eastern Nepal where the Makalu trek begins. It is also where we live. Many children here walk long distances to small government schools, and many families can’t afford even basic supplies.
Education is the reason MAST exists. We were set up in 2010 by SESF (Sankhuwasabha Education Scholarship Foundation), a Khandbari organisation that has helped local children stay in school since 1997. Our treks were created to give that work a steady income.
So every trek with us helps pay for notebooks, uniforms and scholarships in Sankhuwasabha. This post explains how it works, and how you can see it for yourself. To understand the trekking model behind it, read Community-Based Trekking in Nepal: Our School Project.
The challenge: what children here go without
Government schooling in Nepal is free, but going to school still costs money. For the poorest families in Sankhuwasabha, that cost is often too much.
- Basic supplies: notebooks, pens and a school bag are a real expense for a farming family with several children.
- Uniforms and shoes: children are expected to wear a uniform, and many walk to school on steep, muddy trails.
- Cold winters: without warm clothing, children in higher villages miss school in the coldest months.
- Lost support: children who have lost a parent, or whose parent is away or in prison, are often the first to leave school.
None of these is a big problem on its own. Together, they are often why a child falls behind or stops going to school.
What your trek provides
Together with SESF, we focus on simple, practical help that keeps children in class.
| Support | What it includes | Who it reaches |
|---|---|---|
| School supply kits | Notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, bags and stationery | Children from the poorest families in local government schools |
| Uniforms, shoes and winter clothing | Uniforms, shoes, socks and warm sweaters | Children who would otherwise miss school in winter |
| Scholarships | Help with school costs over the year | Orphaned and underprivileged children, especially those who have lost a parent’s support |
| Teaching materials | Maps, globes and other classroom resources | Whole classes |
| Sports equipment | Volleyballs, footballs and nets | Whole schools |
| Cleaner schools | Dustbins and lessons on separating waste | Whole schools |
So far, this work has reached around 6,000 children across 15 schools in Sankhuwasabha. We buy supplies in Khandbari wherever we can, so local shops benefit too.
From your trek to the classroom
Here is how money from your trek reaches a child in school.
- You book a trek with MAST. Part of every trip fee is a contribution to our community projects.
- We pay no profit to owners, so whatever is left after the trek’s costs goes to the same projects.
- Schools tell us what they need. We talk to head teachers, who identify the children who need help most.
- We buy supplies in Khandbari, which keeps the money in the local economy.
- Supplies are handed over at the school, through the teachers, so every child is treated fairly.
- Teachers follow up, and children who need longer-term support can be considered for an SESF scholarship.
What a small donation buys
A little goes a long way when supplies are bought locally. USD 300 provides school stationery for 100 students for a whole year, which works out at just USD 3 per child.
| Donation | What it provides |
|---|---|
| USD 3 | School stationery for 1 student for a year |
| USD 30 | School stationery for 10 students for a year |
| USD 300 | School stationery for 100 students for a year |
Donations are always optional. If you would like to give, we will buy the supplies in Khandbari and hand them over through the school.
Visit a school after your trek
The best way to understand this work is to see it. After your trek, you can spend half a day or more visiting a village school near Khandbari with our team.
- Meet the teachers and hear what their school needs most.
- Sit in on a class, and share a little about your home country. A world map or photos from home always go down well.
- Help hand over supplies, if you have chosen to donate.
On our 18-day Makalu Base Camp Trek, Day 17 is a free day in Khandbari, which is perfect for a school visit. Read how volunteering while trekking works for the full details.
Giving to schools responsibly
Well-meant gifts can sometimes do harm. These are the rules we follow, and ask every guest to follow too.
- Give through the school, not to individual children. Handing out sweets, money or pens directly encourages begging and leaves other children out.
- Let teachers decide which children need help most. They know the families.
- Buy locally. Supplies from Khandbari support local shops and are easy to replace.
- Visit with our team or a teacher present, and follow the teacher’s lead in the classroom.
- Ask before taking photos, and never post children’s full names or exact locations online.
- Don’t promise future help you’re not sure you can give.
Other ways to help
Can’t trek this year? You can still support schools in Sankhuwasabha.
- Donate online through our donate page.
- Give through GlobalGiving, where our school project is listed: Support 100 destitute kids for education in Nepal.
- Bring a few classroom items on your trek, such as a world map or picture books in English, and we’ll pass them on through a school.
- Share this post with friends who are planning a trip to Nepal.
FAQs
How does trekking help schools in Nepal?
With MAST, part of every trip fee, and everything left after costs, funds school supplies, uniforms and scholarships for children in Sankhuwasabha.
Which schools do you support?
Local government schools in Sankhuwasabha district, in and around Khandbari. So far we have reached 15 schools.
Who is SESF?
The Sankhuwasabha Education Scholarship Foundation, a Khandbari organisation that has helped local children get an education since 1997. SESF set up MAST in 2010.
Can I visit a school during my trek?
Yes. The easiest time is after your trek, on a free day in Khandbari. Our team arranges the visit and comes with you.
Do I have to donate?
No. Your trek already supports the schools. Extra donations are welcome but always optional.
Trek and give back
Choose your trek, and we’ll plan it with you from Khandbari, with a school visit if you’d like one.
- Read our Makalu Base Camp Trek Guide 2026
- See all our community projects
- Browse our trekking packages
- Contact us through our contact page, on WhatsApp at +977 9861714199, or at [email protected]
Want to see more of the district your trek supports? Try the Mundum Trek or the Milke Danda Trek, and read what your trek really funds and where your trekking money goes.
