time off after college, and before starting a career in alternative energy engineering, to travel and volunteer. Ross came to Nepal with the idea of installing a solar lighting system, which he paid for out of his own pocket, in a school or clinic. Ross came to The Mountain Fund’s Volunteer Center in Kathmandu to see if we could help him find a location to install his solar lighting system. When we told Ross about the clinic we were starting in Thulo Syabru, he decided that his lighting system would be perfect for it and set off for Thulo Syabru to install it. Four of the rooms at the clinic now have solar powered lighting thanks to Ross.
Ross at the new clinic in Thulo Syabru, with a local Nepali.
Ross wasn’t content to install a lighting system. Once he saw the incredible project underway in the village to build a new school he jumped right in; grabbed a shovel and went to work digging dirt and hauling rocks. The school is really an incredible story. This school sat on ground that was about fifteen feet higher than surrounding buildings. As a result, the soil was continuously eroding away from the structure and following every rainy season the villagers had to work hard to reverse the erosion damage. In a display of unbelievable tenacity, the village raised the money for a new school then took apart the old school stone by stone and removed fifteen feet of earth to create a level site on which to build a new school. Construction of the new school is now underway and progressing well. It’s a real community effort to get it finished and ready for students.
Scott & Nima at the Grand Opening of the new clinic.
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