Gulf for Good teams up with The English College, Dubai

Between October 5th and 19th, the school will embark on the Everest Base Camp Challenge in Nepal to raise funds for the Child Welfare Scheme charity.

The 15-day trekking adventure will take 21 Sixth Form students, 3 teachers and the school nurse on a journey from Kathmandu, through the Nepal Himalaya to their summit point - Everest Base Camp. Following the historic route through Lukla, Phakding, Namche Bazar, Periche and Kala Patthar -in the company of a local team of thoroughly experienced guides and sherpas - the students will ascend the trail to altitudes of up to 5,500 metres.

Gulf for Good Challenge Director, Andy Jackson explains, "Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Almost one-third of its population live below the poverty line, so it's important that charities like Gulf for Good continue to help it sustain itself. The fact that The English College recognises this and has chosen to undertake the Everest Base Camp Challenge is certainly helping to achieve this."

The English College Headteacher, Allan Forbes elaborates on this point, "We obviously saw the educational purposes of taking our students to Everest and the value in getting them involved in fundraising, but it's significant that this challenge will take place in Nepal. We're aware that poverty is a major issue in today's world climate, so being able to support underprivileged children in a country such as Nepal was high on our agenda when we decided to do the Everest Base Camp Challenge."

Even though it is now summer holidays for schools across the Emirates, the participating students are still hard at work fundraising for the Child Welfare Scheme, Nepal (CWSN). Founded in 1995 by Douglas Maclagan in response to the suffering of children in Nepal, CWSN's motto is "To enable the local communities to help themselves." Over 53,000 disadvantaged children and young people have been helped as a result of their projects to reduce poverty and improve health, education and opportunities.

Gulf for Good Chairman, Brian Wilkie said, "As with all of our challenges, this will not be a holiday. People that join our challenges should never expect five star luxury or an easy adventure." He continued, "Aside from the blisters and sore feet, ascending to 5,500 metres is extremely taxing. Even sleeping at high altitudes is tough - no matter how tiring the day has been. However, the fact that The English College will be visiting Child Welfare Scheme before trekking begins will undoubtedly be a huge motivator. The realisation that because they have made it to Base Camp and have had a massive benevolent impact on the lives of their peers from less fortunate backgrounds is an education that can't be gained in any classroom."