Himalayan Light Foundation

08/09/2021

08/09/2021

Dear Friends of Himalayan Light Foundation,
Namaste from Nepal!
I hope you all are doing well. It’s our pleasure to bring on your information that we have completed another Solar Lighting Project in the Health and Birthing center of village called GUDEL of Solukhambu district. The reason to choose this village which is also in the circle of previous projects like; B**g and Cheskam is because these three villages are on the far end side of Solukhambu district and this Gudel village is the farest among the three villages. So we thought if we can support this village too with the Solar Lighting System about 2700 villagers residing in the area and its surroundings will also benefit by the Solar Electricity too when they need to receive emergency support at the health center when their regular lights do not work.
Though it was not an easy drive to reach the village, on the first day we traveled around 16 hours and reached B**g village stayed overnight and early next morning took a small 4X4 pickup truck to Gudel which was another four hours’ drive roughly. The track to Gudel village was newly opened about 70% of the track was Ok (bumpy) but the next 30% was seriously dangerous, there was about six places where one small mistake by the driver will end the story. There is another way also to reach the Gudel village too by hiking from B**g village but due to the heavy weight of the batteries and other solar equipment it was not possible to potter so we took the pickup truck.
Despite the road condition the village was beautiful. Gudel is the last and remotest village that lies in the South East corner of Soulkhambu district bordering Sankhusabha and Bhojpur district. We started the installation work immediately after we reached the Gudel village. We were 4 people in the team. In the late afternoon, the Mayor and the health coordinator of Mahakulung Rural Municipality came to visit us they came by motorcycle from B**g village. We installed six hundred watt solar panel, three 100 AH solar batteries, an inverter, charge controller and lights. By the time we completed the installation it was almost dark the Village Ward Chairperson called some villagers to witness the installation and informed that now they have 600 watt solar system in the health and birthing center, this lighting system has end the problem of villagers and the health staff which they have been facing for past many years in receiving and providing health and emergency services during late night hours. This new electric system can easily run all the small electric equipment like; refrigerator, VDO X-ray machine, computers/printers, lights, sterilizing machine etc. A basic orientation on DO and DON’T was provided to the health staff while using the solar system. All the villagers and the health center staff were very happy with the support. We were also very tired by the long and bumpy ride and the day work so we also thanked everyone and walked to the family home where the villagers has planned for our overnight stay.
Next morning we again ride back to B**g village and went the B**g village health center that has now turned into a Community Hospital checked the system that we had installed about 2 years back and another morning we left for Kathmandu which was another16 hours’ drive back home.
We hope you all will enjoy reading our first hand field experience of our project in supporting and lighting community owned buildings. Here, we have attached some pictures of the project, village and others so that we all can enjoy the benefit of the project together.
Warm Regards,
Yadav

03/16/2021

Dear Friends of Himalayan Light Foundation!

I hope you all are doing well and fine and it’s nice to be back with another project brief so that we all can enjoy our field experience together. This time we traveled to Cheskam village of Solukhambu district. This village is in the far-east corner of Solukhambu bordering Sankhushabha and Bhojpur district.

Our objective was to install 600 watt solar lighting system in the village health and birthing center with three 100 AH batteries, an inverter, charge controller and needed lights. This project will benefit around 3065 people of the village.

We traveled almost 18 hours on a jeep to reach this village and this was the most tiring and back breaking journey we had made in last few years. We had left Kathmandu around 4:00 Am in the morning and reached the village around 10:00 at night. We settle in a village home stay for that night.

Next morning, we started the work early, it took us almost 11 hours to complete the installation, we were four people (2 local). The weather in the morning looks good and warm just in a few hours the cold wind started to blow. Later in the evening, Municipality Chairperson along with others came to meet us as well see the installation. We briefed them about the system and the support and it was very satisfying that our system supported all the electrical equipment of the center like; baby warmer, heater, refrigerator and all other electrical equipment and everyone was so happy that now they do not have to worry much about the electricity to run these equipment as well provide emergency service at night. We also provided them practical orientation on handling of solar system with DO and DON’T so that it will help them how to use the system and who to contact when they experience any major faults in the system.

Another day, we travel back to Salleri (Solukhambu District Headquarter) by the time we reach Salleri it was almost dark, we settle in a small guest house for the night. Next morning, we left for Kathmandu and reached late in the evening.

I have attached some pictures of the project so that you all can enjoy the project pictures with us.

Best Regards,
Yadav

12/12/2020

Dear Friends of Himalayan Light Foundation,
Namaste!
I hope you all are doing well and safe. Last week, we traveled to Gakhu Health Post and Birthing Centre for Solar Light installation which was due almost for past 8 months or more. This project was planned for the first quarter of this year 2020 but due to the pandemic we all got held up. It was a confused, sacred and unsure situation we had no idea what to do next. The news and information we came across scared us more than we have thought we just waited and waited and hoped that this will be over soon. The daily increase in infected number brought more fear and uncertainty the lockdown started we all got locked up at home doing nothing. So almost 9-10 months gone, so we decided that we cannot wait things to happen we should start working whatever the situation may be so we decided to travel Gakhu and complete the long awaited project by the villagers and as we have to work, run the office and help the fellow staff members.
It was about 8 hours’ drive from Kathmandu to Gakhu Health Center, we have to take the local bus that leaves at 06:15 in the morning so we reached the bus stand around 5:00 and start loading the solar equipment as it’s the only bus that goes upto Barpark village (this village was the epic center of last earthquake) and we have to get down on the way. The villagers told us it’s another 3-4 hours’ drive from to Barpark from Gakhu. We reached the health center around 3 in the afternoon, the bus was full the fear of transmission was there and kept our mouth and nose fully covered with mask, we changed the mask in every 2-3 hours and time to time we sanitize our hands. The mask has pulled our ears so much it stared to hurt. The people who were travelling on the bus was not of fear of getting infected it was a travel of survival.
After reaching the Health Center we met all the staff and with the cup of tea and discussed, in which room they need lights, power socket and other extension cords etc. We took a tour inside the health center room after room so that we can figure out where the lights and power sockets and needed. In the main building the center has 7 rooms and other three rooms outside on the courtyard as they are used as a store and meeting room. As this is a winter time in Nepal, the sun goes down around 5 in the evening so we started work with setting up batteries, inverter and charge controller, so that we can work on the panels and wiring tomorrow.
The health center has 7 staff of which 5 were on permanent status and the rest were hired on contract basis. In the last 9 months about 76 new born babies were delivered from this birthing center, the staff were very experienced and dedicated on their work that’s why villagers from all the 5 surrounding villages prefers to come in this health center for treatment rather than going to another places. Every morning, all the staff they themselves clean the whole center before starting the work along with the office cleaner. Then only they start their day work.
On the next day we also started early, after a light breakfast at the nearby tea shop we started setting up solar panels. It took us almost half a day to install solar panels on the roof then we started wiring work. As the health center building was made of Pre-fab and blocks with the support from CARE-Nepal it’s very difficult on wiring work there were steel doors and windows and bars which made very difficult for us to take the wires from one room to another. Then we start drilling the wall which was the only option we had due to the solid blocks used in making the building it was not easy. We worked till 9:00 in the evening with the hope to complete the work taking only small breaks for lunch and a cup of tea. We got so tired our whole body started to ache and we call off the day. Next morning we started early and completed all the work and provide basic orientation to Health Post In-Charge on DO and DON’T. She along with all the staff and the villagers were so happy with the solar support and thanked us and EGFA for supporting this health center. We handed over all the installed equipment with all the details to the Health Post In-Charge and we were also very happy that we have finally completed the long awaited project.
We were on a mixed situation as we were afraid of virus transmission as this was a health centers and many people come and go with various problems and we don’t know who would be carrying the virus so we want to complete the work and get out of the center soon. So, later on the day we took a local bus up to 12kilo (name of the place which is about1.5 hours’ drive from health center) where we took another bus to Kathmandu.
Here, I have attached some pictures of the project and I hope you all will enjoy reading this report, now we want to get back on our feet so that we can work and support each other like we used to do in the past. Therefore, kindly help us with some solar projects so that we can get back to work. We have few sites available for solar lighting which I can send you the details of each project if you like to hear.
Warm Regards
Yadav R Gurung

01/31/2020

Dear Friends of Himalayan Light Foundation,
Namaste!

In last December, we travelled to Panchan village of Solukhambu district to support a Health and Birthing Center with solar lights. The project supported by Earth Garden Foundation Australia and this time we also experienced a first snow fall of the season at Solukhambu (attached some pictures of snowy hills and road).
As usually we traveled to Nele Village and stayed overnight with the family we usually stay and in the next morning we took a 4x4 jeep to drop us up to Pancham health and birthing center. As we had solar equipment with us so we have to take the jeep. The road to Pancham was new, opened few years back which looks still unstable and was quite scary to travel on a jeep but we had no choice. The drive to Pancham health center took almost about two hours I think so because in some places we were scared to death as one small mistake would be a fatal disaster.
By the time we reached health center the staff were waiting for us after a quick introduction we thought we should start working. We all started working and in the middle we feel terribly hungry and we ask if anyone has ordered food for us but they were silent, so we ask the ward chairperson to arrange the food for us. By that time we had finished setting the solar panels for installation so we ask the staff and the village health volunteer’s to come outside for a group picture.

There was two days orientation program to village health volunteers on handling of pregnant women in emergency cases such as; sometimes the labor pain becomes so hard that they sometimes give birth at home and in some cases the mother give birth on a way to health center on such situation these village health volunteers have to take some emergency precautionary actions to save both mother and child till some experienced nurse attends the case.

Till the food was ready we lifted the solar panels and installed it on the roof and set the batteries and inverter. Then we work on setting of lights as per the staff requirements and provided them basic training on handling of the system and if they experience any problem they can call HLF and we will provide them technical assistance as needed. The health post staff, management committee and the villagers was very happy with the support, the staff shared their difficulties in handling emergency cases without light and now with this solar lighting they can work freely any time on day and night. They send EGFA a Huge Thank you for supporting this remote village Health and Birthing Center with solar lights.

Just before dark, we had finished all the work so we ask to arrange the jeep for us to drop at Nele Village. We arrive in the village quite late but we all are very happy that we have successfully completed our work on time. Next day, we met other locals talked about our past projects and new development in the village, possibilities of upcoming hydro projects and many more. We have to socialize as it helps us in our work as well gathering new and updated information about the locals and the surrounding.

While returning back to Kathmandu the weather was so beautiful and clear we can see the Mount Everest so clearly, I have captured some pictures of the mountains I hope you will also enjoy seeing it.

We hope you all enjoy reading our project experience. Now we are preparing ourselves to extent our Solar Sisters Program in Gorkha district, we have few schools and health centers that need the solar lighting support in Gorkha and we look forward in receiving possible support from our supporters for our next project in Gorkha.

Warm Regards
Yadav

01/01/2020

Wishing you all A Very Happy New Year 2020

12/20/2019

Dear Friends of Himalayan Light Foundation!

Namaste!

We hope all is well and fine with you all and following to our regular reporting about our projects, this year we had a youngest Solar Sisters Volunteer from Australia and her name was Acacia Merrick, she traveled to Nepal with her father Adam Merrick, a very familiar man of Himalayan Light Foundation solar lighting project who has been participating in this project for past 9 years and supported many community buildings and school with solar lights in a villages of Lamjung district like; Gilung, Bhoje and its surroundings.

And this time too, he and his daughter Acacia traveled with us to Ghamrang village of Lamjung district and supported solar lighting in a community building. We installed 160 watt solar lighting system that includes solar panels, two solar batteries, LED lights, power sockets and cell phone charging point etc. We have attached Acacia project report on her experience on Ghamrang Solar Lighting Project.

ACACIA’S NEPAL TRIP 2019

I traveled to Nepal with my Dad to install solar light systems in a remote community in the Himalayas.

I raised funds to pay for the solar systems, through market stalls, icy-pole sales, a film day and a firewood raffle. Also many people gave a donation towards the Nepal Fund. Over 12 months we raised over $3000.

We teamed up with the Himalayan Light Foundation to select and coordinate the projects.

When we arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal – we met Yadav from the Himalayan Light Foundation, who accompanied us on the bus to Pokhara. It took all day on this bus to travel to Pokhara. We stayed the night and then left the next morning on a local hill bus, to travel to the remote Gurung village of Ghamrang, Lamjung.

There we were hosted by the local Chairman (Mayor) and his family. The next day we walked to the community building and installed another solar light system, as well as a free phone charging station.

We also played soccer and Frisbee with the local kids as well as visiting the school and donating sports equipment and books. Before I left the village I was dressed up like a local Gurrung girl.

Then we headed back on the hill bus, with a goat!, to Pokhara. We spent 2 days exploring Pokhara area and Fewalake. Another long bus trip back to Kathmandu, where we explored the old city area of Patan. On behalf of the lovely community in the remote village of Ghamrang, thank-you for your support of these worthy projects.

Here, we have attached some pictures of the project supported by Adam Merrick and his daughter Acacia and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their continued support and interest to work with Himalayan Light Foundation in electrifying remote village community centers using environment friendly renewable energy technologies.

“Wishing you all Merry Christmas and A Very Happy New Year”

Warm Regards
Yadav

09/17/2019

Dear Friends of Himalayan Light Foundation,
Namaste!
In early September, we traveled to B**g village, this village is situated on the Far East corner of Solukhambu district. On day one, we traveled up to Nele Village which normally takes 12 hours drive from Kathmandu and early next morning, we started for the B**g village, the road to B**g village was quite difficult (off road) and in many places the road looks like it has been swept away by the continuous rain in the area, however we reached a place called Dipling after 3 hours jumping and bumping drive.
From Dipling, we have to leave the vehicle and carry the equipment though the metal bridge build over Dudh Koshi River the track to reach the river head was also not so easy and the place was so hot (about 45 degree Celsius) we were all having sweat bath. It took us almost another two hours to find the local potters who would help us to carry the solar array across the river to another point from where we have to catch another vehicle for B**g Village. Finally, we got three potters who agreed to take the equipment to another point across the metal bridge. It took almost another 2 hours to bring all the solar equipment on the other side. By that time, the B**g Health Center In-charge and member of the management committee also reached there to welcome us in the village, we booked 4X4 small pickup truck loaded the equipment and headed for the village it’s was quite a long drive, this road looks a little better than the other one. By late afternoon, we reached the health center, we were all dead tired because of the road and also all the work on loading and unloading the equipment.
The Health Center staff offered us a tea and we had a brief introduction. No one was ready to work so we all agreed to start the work early next morning. The locals took us to a family home where they had planned for our overnight stay. We ate the dinner and rested for the night.
Next morning, we started the work early. We have to put the solar panels three level up on the roof that was the only roof side facing South. It looks quite scary to climb on the roof, as there was no stable support to hold us while carrying the solar panels, so discussing it with the locals, we all agree that we will tie up the ladders on the roof hanger and the window panels so that it will hold the ladder tight and cannot slide off and we will lift the panels up on the roof by tying it on the climbing rope so that it will not break with the weight of the panels, it’s risky but there was no other way that we have to take the risk. We successfully lifted both the solar panel set on the roof and fixed it. At the same time, we also worked on setting the batteries, inverter, charge controllers and others. It took us two full days to complete the installations work. After completing the installation work, we tested the equipment and also provide basic hands on training to the staff members in handling and using of the equipment.
This time, we installed 800 watt solar panels, 48 volt 3.5KVA inverter, a charge controller, 4 set of batteries and lights. This project will benefit more than 13,365 villagers of the area. Now, the lights will not be a barrier for the health staff to provide their services any time of day and night. The villagers will get full medical care under the clean solar lights. The best thing about this health center is they have 24 hours emergency services as the health staff were also living on the same buildings and they are available in the center all the time now with this added facilities the health staff are all very happy, as now on they do not have to worry about light and provide their services anytime.
The villagers, village Mayor, Health Center Management Committee members and Staff gave us a HUGE THANK YOU for supporting the Health Center with solar lighting system which was a biggest support they have received.
Here, we have posted some pictures of the project along with health center activities and also pictures of Mera Peak range (though it’s not that clear due to anti light), villages, roads, hills and others. While returning back from Nele to Kathmandu we have to face some landslides and boulders on the middle of the road that blocked our way, which took us hours to clear the road. Then again, a vehicle was stuck on the river due to last night flash flood which took another hour to clear the blockage. Overall, despite some challenges, we enjoyed the work, people and the place. I hope you all will also enjoy reading our experience and the project pictures.
Best Regards,
Yadav

07/18/2019

Hello Friends of Himalayan Light Foundation,
Greetings from Nepal!
Last Month, We traveled to Kangel Village of Solukhambu district to support Kangel Health Center with solar power. It was a long and tiring jeep drive to Nele village as usual it takes almost 12 hours to reach the village. We stopped for the night in a family home where we usually prefer to stay.
Next morning, after a morning tea we left for the Kangel village. The night rain has made the muddy road more slippery then before, (it was a newly opened track) there were potholes all over filled with night rain water. It took us two hours to reach the Kangel Health center. The solar equipment has already been at the health center which we had sent it along with the vehicle that brought us Nele village. We checked all the equipment and met the center staff and planned for the installation by that time one staff member brought us some tea and biscuits.
The roof of the health center was facing East-West and that took us sometime to figure out how to place the solar panels facing towards South. We tried different ways to place the panels on the roof but it seems bit difficult as the roof was much sloppier then we have thought. Then our technician tried to fix it on the side of the Center so that the panels can be safe and face south as we want. We all agreed and worked with it and started the work. It took us hours to set the panels by that time the lunch was ready A quick lunch was arranged with a family living next to the health center.
After lunch, we started working on setting batteries, inverter and charge controller. We installed 400 watt solar panels with two 100 AH solar batteries, an inverter, charge controller and both Ac and Dc lights. So that when they do not have to us e the Ac lights they can have DC lights all the time. The Health Center staff wants us to set the batteries and the inverter in the hall as it’s spacious and safe. We did it as per their request. Then we ran the wires as we have to run two sets of wires for AC and Dc lights. There were five other rooms were we had to put the lights. It was a quite a long and tiring day.
We completed all the wiring, put on the lights and tested the equipments, oriented the staff in using inverter. Later in the evening, a small gathering was organized, were all the village health workers, ward chairperson/ Health Center Management Chairperson and other members of the health committee along with staff and villagers for the thanks giving. They thanked us and EGFA for supporting this remote village health center with Solar Lighting System which was a greatest gift they have ever received from any organization so far. All were smiling and looks so happy with the new set of solar lights. People started taking pictures and shaking hands with us, who wants to thank us personally, it was quite a gesture that made us bit emotional and very satisfied of what we were doing all these years in improving the lives of remote villagers by using environment friendly technologies. Now, with this power backup system they can also use internet in the health center once it gets connected.
I hope you all enjoyed reading our project report and here I have posted some pictures for you too so that you can enjoy the project by seeing these pictures.
Thank you and a very warm regards,
Yadav
NOTE: Now we are looking for some funds to install solar backup systems to the following community centers:
Three (3) Community based Health and Birthing Centers
Two (2) Community based Basic School (Up to Grade VII) for Computer Educations
Two (2) Community Based High Schools (Up to Grade XII) for Computer Educations
If you wish to support any of these community based centers with solar power you can send your contributions (any amount) either personal or in group to our HLF USA account or in Nepal as per your convenience. We are requesting for the funding support as these centers requires minimum US$3,100 to 6,500 for solar equipment and installation work. These sites are in Solukhambu and Lamjung districts of Nepal. And if you like to know more details about any of these centers (Health and Birthing center, Basic School or High School) you can send an email [email protected] or [email protected] we will write you back with all the necessary details of these projects by email.

07/08/2019

Last time, we traveled to Ghamrang village to support solar lighting at Ghamrang village Buddhist Monastery. Though, the weather was not that favorable for travel due to regular rain and heavy wind but the seven hours bus drive from Pokhara to Ghamrang was a pleasure, as we meet various people from different villages travelling on the same bus, there is no need to introduce yourself and no need to feel like an outsiders, the conversations just get started and you can join in and share the laughter. This time we also had a well behaved goat traveling with us despite the heavy crowd on the bus (as usual) he was sitting cool on the bus floor.

We reached village at around 4:00 in the afternoon and with a good cup of tea and a warm welcome from the village ward chairperson, we walked to the health center, where we had supported 800 watt solar lighting system last year. The hospital staff reported that the solar lights were the greatest gift for them and the villagers. Three new born babies had been delivered till date and all was a very successful delivery and they gave all the credit to the solar lighting which was very important part of their work and life and saving the lives of the villagers.

Next morning, we walked to the village Buddhist Monastery, The Monastery Management Committee Chairperson and the villagers were waiting for us, they welcomed us with Khada (a holy scarf) and tea and thanked us and Earth Garden Foundation, Australia for supporting this Monastery with solar lightings. They said, they organized various rituals in the Monastery and just a week ago a seven days long rituals have been organized in the Monastery. While talking with them, we also look around the Monastery so that we can figure out where we can put the solar panels and how many lights were needed outside.

We installed 160 watts solar panels, two 60 AH solar batteries, a charge controller and eight lights (please see the attached pictures). We left extra two lights and some wires, clips and switches in-case they need it later if they need extra lights. It took us whole day to complete the installation.

Next day, we again went to the health center as we need to check the system. We checked all the connections and changed some of the connectors with new sets so that they may not have problem in the future. That same day the villager has organized a thanks giving ceremony for us, one was supporting the health center and the monastery with solar lights and the other was the villagers were preparing themselves to start a Home Stay in the area as a startup on hospitality business. About 30 women from the village had just received 10 days food preparation training using locally produce grain and vegetables. All were very excited about their new skills and as we were the first guests to arrive on that occasion they prepared different food with different taste and varieties. We all enjoyed the food and the talk and the work.

In the late afternoon, the weather opened a bit and we can see the mountains and the evening setting sun. And next day we took the bus back to Pokhara and to Kathmandu. I hope you will enjoy reading our project experience and some pictures posted for you all.

Warm Regards,
Yadav
Last time, we traveled to Ghamrang village to support solar lighting at Ghamrang village Buddhist Monastery. Though, the weather was not that favorable for travel due to regular rain and heavy wind but the seven hours bus drive from Pokhara to Ghamrang was a pleasure, as we meet various people from different villages traveling on the same bus, there is no need to introduce yourself and no need to feel like an outsiders, the conversations just get started and you can join in and share the laughter. This time we also had a well behaved goat traveling with us despite the heavy crowd on the bus (as usual) he was sitting cool on the bus floor.