We'd really love to raise some money to build schools in Nepal, and give something back to a country that has meant so much to us in terms of the opportunity to pursue the challenges of climbing big Himalayan mountains like Everest and Cho Oyu. In the UK we are all lucky enough to be able to take a decent education for granted; this is an opportunity to help kids who don't have that privilege.

Classroom in the Clouds is a small charity building schools in the poor rural areas of Nepal, one of the poorest countries in the world. This started with a school in Lukla (the departure point of the trek to Everest Base Camp) and continued with a school in Bakhapalam, another village in the Khumbu valley. They are currently aiming to raise £35,000 to build a new school in the village of Majhgaun; the local community will contribute labour to transport the materials and help with building.

Giving children the chance for a proper education is key for their future opportunities and development. This is not hand outs, its helping people to better themselves in the future. Nepal is the poorest country in Asia, with GDP per head of £375 (that's £1 per day...), which is only one seventieth of the level of the UK. The soaring mountains of the Himalaya and the dense jungle of the Terai are beautiful but create logistical problems for government and business, and the lack of easy access to the sea makes developing exports harder.

Its a very small charity, so any cash you can spare really will make a big difference!

www.classroomintheclouds.org

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