Nepal Donor Tour

October 1-14, 2009

Nepal is ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world with most of the population living in remote rural areas cut off from basic services and markets. The villages in the Ichok Village Development Committee (VDC), in the Helambu region of Nepal are extremely isolated and are a three day trek by foot from the capital city of Kathmandu. The village of Ghopte Ghyang in the Ichok VDC, has a total population of 210 people living in 52 homes, who do not have access to electricity and spend a substantial amount of their income on kerosene lighting. Though many children attend school near the village, they have limited time to complete their homework before the sun goes down which is detrimental to their education. Nepal, however, is known for its beautiful and dramatic scenery. Avid trekkers and mountaineers alike are drawn to its mountains and foothills to view the Himalaya and the world's highest peaks.

Nepal was the birthplace of LUTW’s global lighting initiative in 1999 by visionary founder, Dr. Dave Irvine-Halliday. In October 2009, Light Up The World returned to Nepal, by sending a team of donors to the Ichok VDC who wanted to gain hands-on experience with community based renewable energy projects by installing LUTW’s solar powered LED lighting system in homes throughout the village. Light Up The World has provided donors with the unique experience of taking part in the transformation of a village by working with the community to install safe, affordable, healthy, efficient, and environmentally-responsible lighting systems in rural Nepali homes.