Schoolhouse Sherpas: A buildOn Trek

Basanta, Nepal (January 2025)

By Parth Chandak and Richa Jatia

Our buildOn journey began more than a year before our trek in January 2025.

Richa: When I first met Morgan Dickerson, the Community Engagement Manager at buildOn, she told me about buildOn's Trek program and I immediately knew that I wanted to put together a team. Education has always been close to my heart, and this was a unique opportunity to bring together friends, colleagues, and even strangers to fundraise for building a school. The idea of not only raising funds but also living in the community to help lay the school's foundation was incredibly powerful - a tangible way to bring the impact of our efforts to life.

Parth: When Richa approached me about Trek, I was instantly drawn to the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a small community through education. I said yes without hesitation, and it's been one of the best decisions I've made.

We initially put together a team of 15 and chose Nepal as our destination because of its deep cultural ties to our home country, India. Our team name, Schoolhouse Sherpas, was a tribute to the Sherpas of Nepal, who tirelessly support climbers in their mountaineering journeys. Similarly, our mission was to be Sherpas for this school and to support the community in building it. This wouldn't be our victory but theirs; we were simply there to help them achieve their dream.

Thus began our nearly year-long journey to raise $55,000 for the school and our trek fees. From organizing guest bartending events to hosting a pickleball tournament with 52 players, the experience was nothing short of an adventure. It was humbling to witness the generosity of so many people - those who donated, volunteered their time, or simply cheered us on. By the time we embarked on the trek, our team had evolved: while some were there from the start, others joined later, and a few who helped fundraise couldn't make it to Nepal. Ultimately, the 11 of us who made the journey were a mix of old and new faces, united by a shared belief in the power of education and a desire to do something bigger than ourselves. Here's a look at our journey to Nepal, through both our eyes.

Guest bartending and pickleball tournament

Day 1: First Steps in Kathmandu

First glimpse of Nepal as we descended into Kathmandu

Parth: When our plane landed in Kathmandu, I felt at home in the familiar busy city life that reminded me of Mumbai. Our Trek Leader Santosh Mahato met us at the airport and took us to our hotel. He made sure we had everything we needed, including hot water. His attentiveness signaled the start of what would be an expertly guided journey.

Richa: Strangely enough, Kathmandu reminded me of Kabul, a city I've never been to before. Its short, cramped buildings, bustling streets, and markets overflowing with souvenirs felt like echoes of the Kabul I'd imagined while reading books like The Kite Runner. Meeting the entire team in person was really exciting - many of whom had only been faces on Zoom until then. That night, we went to bed early, eager to begin our journey to Dhangadhi, the district near the town of Basanta where we'd be building the school.

Day 2: Inspiration at Dhangadi

In the morning we had breakfast with the rest of our team. After a delayed journey to Dhangadhi, thanks to the infamous winter fog (it seems even oceans away, we San Franciscans couldn't escape Karl the Fog), we finally arrived.

On our way to Dhangadhi

That afternoon, we visited a completed buildOn school nearby - a visit filled that our hearts with hope. The children gave us such a warm welcome - they put flower garlands around our necks and shared their songs and dances with us. Their joy was catching, and soon we were all smiling.

Parth: One of the most impactful moments came during our introduction to buildOn's adult literacy program. Through our skilled translators, Madan and Runam, we heard powerful testimonials from villagers whose lives had been transformed. They spoke of "new life", of learning basic economics and mathematics, of starting their own handicraft and farming businesses.

Richa: What stood out to me was that most of the adults in this program were women. In countries like India and Nepal, rural women often don't have the confidence to step outside traditional roles or access opportunities to learn. Yet here they were, showing incredible initiative and courage by coming to school every day - not only to manage household or agricultural work more effectively, but to help their children with homework and ensure they stayed in school. It was deeply moving and a powerful reminder of the ripple effect education can create.

The joy and gratitude of the school children touched our hearts deeply. They had prepared special performances to welcome us - their small faces beaming with excitement as they danced and sang traditional songs. It was a beautiful demonstration of how a school can become the heart of a community, nurturing not just education but also cultural pride and creativity.

Interacting with the school children and watching them perform traditional dances

Later that night, we were introduced to the dedicated buildOn management team, including Trek Coordinator, Ardahana (Anu) Chaudhary, and Deputy Trek Director, Jharana Bam. Learning that this would be buildOn's 419th school in Nepal and that some team members had participated in over 100 treks gave us a sense of the program's incredible scale and impact.

Day 3: Welcome to Basanta

Parth: The morning began early as we boarded our team bus to Basanta. What awaited us was a welcome ceremony that would stay with me forever. The entire village had lined up to greet us, creating a human pathway to the school playground, which had been beautifully decorated for our arrival.

Richa: The women, dressed in their beautiful traditional attire, were laughing, dancing, and singing all around us. A group of them pulled the women in our team in and began dancing with us. They even wrapped lehengas around our waists, making us feel like we weren't just guests but an integral part of their community and celebration.

The village's warm welcome ceremony

Richa: As I sat at the ceremony, a group of young girls, aged six to ten, gathered around me and my friend. We began chatting with them, using the few sentences of Nepali we had learned that morning and Hindi, which they understood a little. There was Sonya, who sat on my lap, her smile never fading. Then there was Ritu, the older sister who eagerly shared stories about her favorite subject at school and what she enjoyed doing in her free time. Another girl, Subi, lingered quietly in the background at first, but as our neighbor, she quickly grew to be one of the closest to my heart. It was the children in Nepal who would make my trip truly unforgettable.

Parth: The day was filled with significant moments – traditional dances, the signing of the covenant (a powerful symbol of community partnership), and a pooja (prayer) to mark the beginning of the project. But perhaps the most meaningful moment was meeting my host father, Mr. Tulasiram Tharu.

Pooja ceremony and beginning of foundation work

The covenant signing ceremony and meeting our host families

Parth: Mr. Tharu's hospitality began immediately as he loaded our bags onto his bicycle. At his home, I met his warm family - his daughter-in-law who managed the household with grace and his cheerful grandson Prince who quickly became my friend. During our walk through the village, we talked with neighbors about their Hindu traditions and their wish to be closer to nearby countries like India. The children couldn't take their eyes off Dean, my teammate and roommate for the trek. A teacher from Ohio with over 30 years of experience teaching middle schoolers, he was, for most of them, the first American they had ever met. During our walk to his farms, Mr. Tharu shared that his son was working in Malaysia and wouldn't return for three years. Despite the distance, the family's strong bonds were evident in how they supported each other. Communication flowed surprisingly well – my Hindi helped bridge the gap with Nepali, allowing me to translate for Dean. I learned about the Nepali calendar (Bikram Samvat), discovering that our 2025 was their 2081.

Exploring the village and meeting our neighbors

Richa: I was staying across the stream from Parth's home. Instead of a bicycle, I had to hoist my bags on my head like a true Indian porter and walk nearly a mile to my host mother's house. We were warmly welcomed by her daughter-in-law, Hina and her seven-month-old grandson, Ahaan. As we made our way to their home, children from the nearby houses joined us, eager to be part of the moment. Once we settled in, we spent the evening playing games like in-out, musical chairs, and charades. By nightfall, we had formed our own lively little crew, who would become our constant companions over the next few days.

Our first evening bonding with the village children through games and laughter

Parth: As the sun set, we gathered for our first dinner with the family. The aroma of freshly cooked daal bhat filled the house as we sat cross-legged on the floor. Mr. Tharu's daughter-in-law had prepared a feast - steaming rice, yellow lentil soup, and local vegetable curry. We were surprised to learn that the family only ate two meals a day, which explained the generous portions they served us. The food was incredibly delicious, but we had to politely ask them to reduce our portions - their usual servings were almost twice what we could eat! Prince showed me how to mix everything together with my hands, the traditional way of eating. The simple meal tasted extraordinary, made special by the family's hospitality and the stories we shared despite our language differences.

Parth: The evening ended with an impromptu astronomy lesson, as I showed local children how to use a star map app on my phone. Among them was Sagar, a remarkably bright 10th grader whose English skills and intellectual curiosity would continue to impress me throughout our stay.

Stargazing with the local kids and and resting under mosquito nets

Day 4: Breaking Barriers, Building Bonds

Our days in the community began with yoga at 6AM sharp led by a guru from the buildOn team. Even though it was cold and dark, the exercises warmed us up and got us ready for the day. After breakfast at the main office, we went to the construction site, excited to start the work we had come here to do.

We started our first construction day with buildOn's energetic morning cheer, our voices echoing through the village as we prepared to start the digging for the site of the 419th school in Nepal.

We split into 3 teams and rotated between tasks. Team One took on the challenging task of digging the foundation trenches. Armed with shovels and pickaxes, we worked in pairs, taking turns to break the hard ground and clear the earth. The physical demands of the work brought us closer together, as we encouraged each other through each scoop of soil.

Making progress on the foundation work

Team Two focused on preparing the rebar (steel rods) that would reinforce the concrete foundation. This precise work required measuring, cutting, and bending the steel to exact specifications. The local masons showed us their techniques, and we quickly learned that this task needed both strength and accuracy.

Learning to prepare and place the rebar

Team Three was responsible for sifting sand and mixing cement. This was perhaps the most rhythmic work - the steady motion of pushing sand through mesh screens, the methodical mixing of cement with water and aggregate. The villagers taught us their traditional mixing techniques, which required no mechanical equipment but depended entirely on consistency and teamwork.

Richa: We worked alongside the community and had the chance to talk to both women and men about their lives. A few women who were home from college for the holidays shared their dreams of becoming doctors and teachers. The man I teamed up with to dig a hole told me about his work as a construction worker in India and how he hoped the new school would create better opportunities for his children. It felt rewarding to contribute physically but the real highlight was bonding with the community.

Parth: After an energizing lunch, we participated in a powerful exercise about courage, each of us reflecting on what the word meant to us.

The buildOn team prepared delicious breakfast and lunch for us every day

Parth: But perhaps the most impactful part of the day came during our gender discussion groups. This was a time for the men and the women of our team and the community to share a space and ask each other questions about the other group, a great way to bridge gaps and increase the shared understandings of cultures. The men's group taught me a lot. Most were farmers who wanted to build this school to give their children better chances in life. Growing up in India, I used to hear people joke about village life being "backward," but being here reminded me that my own grandfather came from a village just like this one. The farmers spoke candidly about their challenges: uncertainty about crop yields, concerns about profit margins, and feelings of being trapped. Together, we explored potential solutions like automation and collective farming, drawing parallels with corporate farming practices in the USA.

Richa: In the women's group, we shared details about our daily lives and free time. While we spoke about jobs and hobbies, they shared that household chores and agricultural work left them with none. The conversation touched on their dreams for their girls, marriage, menstruation as a taboo, and whether they discussed sexual matters with friends. They also mentioned how women often didn't support each other when someone wanted to step outside traditional roles, like joining the village council - a challenge that seems universal. It was an honest and vulnerable exchange, offering a rare glimpse into their lives, challenges, and resilience.

Gender discussion groups: Men and women sharing perspectives

Parth: My day ended with an impromptu football match with the village children, a beautiful reminder that play knows no language barriers. As we kicked the ball around under the setting sun, all differences melted away. It wasn't about Americans or Nepalis, buildOn team or villagers – it was simply people connecting through sport.

Ending the day with a joyful football match with the village children

Richa: While Parth bonded through football, my trek roommates, Malaika and Yaquta, and I connected with the girls through dance. They taught us a dance routine to a popular Nepali song, Rukum Maikot, and we spent hours laughing and practicing together.

Dancing and bonding with the children

Day 5: Building Foundations and Dreams

We began work early in the morning. Some teams formed human chains that snaked across the construction site, passing rocks and pans of sand from one person to another. This method not only made the work faster but brought everyone together - buildOn team members, villagers, and even curious children who wanted to help. The chains became a living symbol of community spirit, with songs and laughter making the heavy loads feel lighter.

Village community and buildOn team working together in a human chain

Parth: As we worked harder on the school site, the villagers taught me how to mix cement their way. I could see how their farming skills made them experts with tools - they knew exactly how to use them. The digging team also continued and we switched off taking turns doing multiple activities in the work day.

Learning traditional cement mixing techniques

Richa: In just two days, we had made incredible progress. The site had been dug, the foundations were laid with a mix of cement and stone, and rebar had been placed in some of the holes.

But this day held a special surprise: a traditional Nepali wedding ceremony for our teammates, Morgan and Dave. What we thought would be a small celebration quickly turned into a village-wide festival.

Parth: As someone familiar with Indian weddings, I was fascinated by both the similarities and unique aspects of Nepali traditions. I was with Dave at his host family's home as they got him ready in his traditional attire. Within moments, we were dancing, and more and more villagers joined in. This became the baraat (the groom's procession to the bride's home) and in no time, the entire village was dancing behind Dave as he made his way across Basanta to meet Morgan.

The groom's procession making its way through the village

Richa: Watching the women of the village get Morgan ready, surrounding her with their love and traditions, was incredible. Meanwhile, the other women in our trek group and I had mehendi (henna) applied to our hands and dressed up in beautiful traditional attire. Sharing in the joy and festivity as we celebrated Morgan and Dave's special day was truly unforgettable, and I felt grateful to be part of this experience.

Wedding celebrations with the kids and our team

Morgan and Dave's traditional Nepali wedding ceremony

Day 6: Celebrating Community

Our last morning of construction began with what had become a cherished ritual – yoga at dawn. The number of villagers joining us had grown each day, a beautiful testament to the bonds we'd formed. The crisp morning air was filled with a mix of excitement and nostalgia, knowing this would be our final day of building.

Our largest yoga session yet, with villagers joining in growing numbers

Parth: What made this final day even more special was an unexpected surge of young energy. Sagar and his classmates, having spread word about our project to neighboring schools, arrived with their entire 8th, 9th, and 10th grade classes to help with construction. Their presence not only accelerated our work but also symbolized the project's ripple effect throughout the community - these students weren't just building a school, they were building their own future.

buildOn team's enthusiastic spirit on day three

The work site buzzed with renewed energy. Looking at our progress from day one to now was nothing short of remarkable. The trenches we'd dug, the foundations we'd laid - each element a physical manifestation of our collective hope for the future.

The transformation of our school site from start to finish

The Closing Ceremony

The afternoon transformed into an unforgettable celebration. Our host families dressed us in local garments that made us feel truly part of their community. The village gathered one final time, the air filled with music and dance. The celebration was a beautiful showcase of local culture, as the women from Basanta performed traditional Nepali dances in their vibrant attire. At one point, they pulled our team into their dances, making the experience even more special.

Our team immersed in the vibrant cultural celebrations

Richa: Later, my roommates and I, along with our crew of girls, performed the dance routine to Rukum Maikot we had learned. It was incredibly rewarding to see the community's smiles and cheers as we joined in their tradition.

Evening of Gratitude

That evening was filled with emotional exchanges of gifts. We presented our host families with items we'd brought from home, while they surprised us with exquisite local handicrafts. Morgan's Polaroid camera proved invaluable, capturing precious moments that we could share – one photo for them, one for us.

Parth: My final conversation with Sagar was particularly moving. His bright spirit and technological aptitude had shown me that potential knows no geographical bounds. In him, I saw the future that buildOn was helping to create.

Richa: Grateful for the warmth and hospitality of our host family, we thanked them for making us feel at home. Then, we met the girls for a final goodbye. They had long faces and looked sad, with some even crying - they didn't want us to leave, and we didn't want to leave them either. We played a few last games, danced a bit more, and took countless pictures to hold onto the memories we had created together. Leaving was harder than I ever expected.

Parth: Our team's last gathering stretched from 9PM until midnight, as we shared how our perceptions of each other had changed and the profound ways this experience had changed us. What started as a group of strangers had become a family, united by purpose and shared experiences.

Day 7: Farewell to Basanta

The 3:45 AM alarm came too soon. As we prepared to leave for Dhangadi and then Kathmandu, emotions ran high. The school site we were leaving behind was more than just a construction project – it was a promise to the future, a bridge between cultures, and a testament to what people can achieve together.

Our propeller plane from Dhangadi to Kathmandu offered a parting gift – breathtaking views of Mount Everest and the Himalayan range, a majestic farewell to our Nepali adventure.

Reflections and Special Thanks

The school we helped build in Basanta is more than just bricks and cement. It shows what can happen when people from different places work together. It's a promise of better things to come. We'll never forget what we saw and learned there. This journey would not have been possible without our incredible team of Schoolhouse Sherpas: Akhil Shukla, Bree Cave, David Sang, Dean Ruff, Dhruv Baijal, Esha Desai, Jeff Nasser, Karim Khairaz, Malaika Vesavevala, Morgan Dickerson, Nikhil Agarwal, Niti Parekh, Suchi Jatia, Tanu Rathi, and Yaquta Bootwala. Each member brought their unique strengths and perspectives, making our team truly special. Together, we not only reached our fundraising goal but also created lasting bonds with each other and the community of Basanta.

We are also deeply grateful to the buildOn Nepal team: Santosh Mahato (Trek Leader), Ardahana (Anu) Chaudhary (Trek Coordinator), and Jharana Bam (Deputy Trek Director). Special thanks to Rajkumari Mahato (Board – buildOn Nepal), Runam and Madan (Translators), Rajkumar (Field Coordinator), Shreedevi and Lila (Cooks), Sanjay (Bus Driver), and Tekraj Guruji (Yoga Instructor). Their dedication and expertise made our journey well-organized and seamless from start to finish.

A big thanks to Basanta and buildOn for this opportunity of learning

View more photos in our Google Photos album