Himalayan Education Center

Donate to the Himalayan Education Center

The Himalayan Education Center (HEC) typifies the Ten Friends approach to providing aid and support to the people of Nepal. We don’t seek to create new organizations in the country, but rather work to strengthen existing entities and provide volunteer opportunities for individuals who wish to help in our efforts. When Ten Friends became involved with the HEC, it was already a functioning organization. It is operated by a Nepal based non-profit organization that was formed in 2009.  The HEC has an impressive history which you can read about here.  You can also visit the Himalayan Education Centers' Website or Facebook Page. 

The Himalayan Education Center seeks to improve the social, economic, cultural, and academic fabric of poor marginalized people in remote parts of Sankhuwasabha, Taplejung and the Solukhumbu districts of Nepal.  The Himalayan Education Center recruits students in the region and supports their education. A focus is on training girls to become teachers.  The hope is that once they complete their education requirements, that they will return to their native villages and serve as teachers as well as become community leaders.  

The Himalayan Education Center has also been active in establishing a library support program, in working on improving health and sanitation in the area, and on solar power distribution. Cultural exchange has also been an initiative that the Himalayan Education Center has been involved in.  Ten Friends Board members, students from Central Oregon schools, and volunteers have been fortunate to visit the HEC and to establish on-going friendships with Himalayan Education Center staff and students. 

The Hostel at the Himalayan Education Center

Students at the Himalayan Education Center live in a hostel in Khandbari.  In 2017 Ten Friends volunteers helped to construct a new home for the students. The hostel is called Earthship Home.  A short video shows the construction of the hostel and Ten Friends volunteers working to construct the new facility.    

Meet Sunita Gurung - Himalayan Education Center Director and the Board

Sunita is the leader of the Himalayan Education Center.  Sunita has an interesting background and has been instrumental in furthering HEC's mission and in providing educational opportunities for girls from the region.

Sunita has a heartwarming story of determination and hard work in the face of very difficult circumstances. Growing up, she had always dreamed of becoming a teacher. From a very young age, she understood the importance of education and wanted to help in the development of her village by providing that opportunity to every single child in the village.  With the help of many others, she was able to establish the Himalayan Education Center (HEC). We are so fortunate to have Sunita working at HEC since 2009 as the Program Coordinator. Read more about Sunita.   In addition, Click here to view a brief biography in which she shares her heartwarming story of determination and hard work in the face of very difficult circumstances.   

Sunita is assisted by the Himalayan Education Center Board of Directors who bring their knowledge and experience to help advance the HEC.  Together they have provided an exceptional educational experience for the students who have attended and graduated from the school.