SCAW Blog: Nepal, 2026: May 14
Today is our last distribution day in Nepal. After 6 days and 16 distributions I was truly overwhelmed by the expression of love from the people of Nepal.
Today, the proud hilltop people of the Gorkha region gathered en masse for our first distribution and effectively "piped" us in using their traditional instruments. Everyone was ready and smiling - Namaste greetings were in abundance. I had to fight back the tears realizing the importance of this gift provided by SCAW. After the ceremony we distributed 243 bed kits in 38 minutes. All hands were helping from the SCAW team, Rotary Members, to the teachers, to the senior students, and even the mayor of the municipality.
Distribution 2 was full of fanfare and dance performances by the children before we distributed to two schools including the second group of school children who had walked a few kilometers to be there. This was followed by more dancers and presentations by local dignitaries who play a critical role in making this happen.
We, the SCAW team, can't thank our Rotary partners and municipal officials enough, and together with caring principals and teachers, the Nepal 2026 distribution has been a success and thousands of children are now sleeping better in Nepal.
Team Nepal, 2026
Rotary Club of Himalayan Golfers🇳🇵+ SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Nepal, 2026: May 13
Today, 401 bed kits were distributed to children at four schools in Sahid Lakhan Rural Municipality, known for its rugged Himalayan hills and valleys. Much appreciated was the support from the teachers, our Rotarian partners, and program of traditional dancing which concluded the day's distributions.
The challenging terrain limits infrastructure and accessibility, resulting in few formal job opportunities and requiring travel to Bhaktupur, 40 kilometers away, for higher education and advanced medical care. Transportation may be unreliable, especially during the rainy season when landslides may temporarily wash out sections of roadway.
Approximately 70 percent of the population relies on subsistence agriculture, farming primarily for their own consumption rather than for income. Although the cost of living is much lower in Nepal than in Canada, employment opportunities in rural Canada, such as farming, forestry, and service industries, offer salaries that support a higher standard of living.
Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) is an economic concept used to compare currencies based on the cost of a specific basket of goods and services in different countries. In rural Canada PPP is estimated at USD 52,744 while in rural Nepal it is around USD 6,578, highlighting a stark contrast in income levels and living standards between the two countries. This contrast underscores the value of the bedkit, which not only aids the individual child but also significantly enhances the purchasing power and standard of living for the entire family.
Team Nepal, 2026
Rotary Club of Himalayan Golfers🇳🇵+ SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Nepal, 2026: May 12
Today was a busy, hot, exhilarating, and bone rattling kind of day. We left Pokhara behind after two great days and headed back toward Gorkha and Kathmandu. Out of our three distribution sites today, the first two were completed smoothly and in good time. The initial plan to take a cable car up a looming mountain to our next site was dismissed because it would have entailed a lot of backtracking. Instead, our convoy of three SUVs drove for over an hour up the mountain on the roughest roads imaginable.
Hairpin turns and steep drop-offs kept our skilled driver on his game the whole way.
After lunch at our mountain-top hotel, we headed to our third site of the day where we were greeted with beautiful floral garlands and smiling faces.
Another uphill walk took us to Manakamana, site of the Manakamana Temple (temple of wishes), a Hindu pilgrimage destination.
297 children will sleep well tonight. I wonder what adventures await us tomorrow! An exhausted but eager team is ready to meet our first group of children tomorrow. Bring on the smiles!
Team Nepal, 2026
Rotary Club of Himalayan Golfers🇳🇵+ SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Nepal, 2026: May 9
Today was a travel day as we made our way back to Pokhara from Burtibang. It was a 6 hour arduous drive through the Himalayan mountain range foothills. Known mainly for Mount Everest, the whole country of Nepal is a beautiful place to visit, if you ever get the chance in your lifetime.
Team Nepal,
Rotary Club of Himalayan Golfers🇳🇵+ SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW BLOG: Nepal, 2026: May 5
Today was relocation day for Team Nepal to get us closer to our first distribution site. The first step was a short flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. After sitting in the plane for 2 hours, we finally took off for the hop, skip and jump flight. What a view of the Himalayas as we arrived in Pokhara! Towering above the airport was Mount Machapuchchhre, part of the Annapurna range. Thrilling!
The next step was a roller coaster-like drive through the mountains and valleys of the Annapurna range. All around us were forested mountains, fertile terraced valleys, colourful villages and farms, rushing rivers and mind bending suspension bridges. Even though the route covered only 165 km, it took just over 6 hours of skilled driving to navigate through the mud, the potholes, the oncoming vehicles and animals on the road.
An exhausted but eager team is ready to meet our first group of children tomorrow. Bring on the smiles!
Team Nepal, 2026
Rotary Club of Himalayan Golfers🇳🇵+ SCAW 🇨🇦
SCAW Blog: Nepal, 2026: May 4
This is the morning of Day 1 for Team Nepal. We had a welcome meeting with our gracious Nepalese hosts where we were shown the bedkit items and given a rundown of the itinerary.
We are all very excited to see the children at our first distribution after a travel day tomorrow.
Team Nepal, 2026
Rotary Club of Himalayan Golfers🇳🇵+ SCAW 🇨🇦