About “buildOn” organisation..

Let me provide some context on “buildOn”, the non profit organisation that enables people like me to be part of a movement like this to support education. buildOn is an international organisation headquartered in the US that aspires to be a movement as opposed to just a charity organisation. Its founder Jim Ziolkowski (also the author of “Walk in their Shoes” book) talks about “ignition” as the act of starting a fire so that the engine begins to work. That is exactly what “buildOn” is and I speak from my personal experience taking part in a “buildOn” project. It creates a movement within a community, brings them together to have a unified vision for the future and execute towards the vision together. “buildOn” school build project works by enabling anyone to form a team of fundraisers to raise a set amount required to build a school. Once the funds are raised, the team physically travels to the impact location and spends typically a week with the community physically building the school with the community. The funds raised are used to supply raw materials and skilled labour but the community has to participate every day for upto 106 days to finish the school which is monitored by buildOn field coordinators (typically local employees of buildOn who understand the local nuances). This model ensures that every stakeholder has a skin in the game. The “buildOn” methodology also ensures the setup of a project leadership committee within the community prior to project initiation to oversee progress and mandates equal representation from men and women. Also every community member has to sign on the covenant to ensure both boys and girls are sent to the school once the school is built.

The “Trek” to Banjariya Village

Before I provide a detailed account of my experience on the trek, let me start by sharing the sequence of events that unfolded over the next few days.

29th November, 2019 – 3 other team members Linh, Lani and Daniel arrive in Kathmandu from California

30th November, 2019 – final team member Vi arrives from Texas. The team meet for dinner with our Trek Leader Aaron Story.

1st December, 2019 – The team flies to the nearest airport in Dhangadhi, visits a completed “buildOn” school in a village and talk to women who take part in “buildOn” adult literacy program.

2nd December, 2019 – The team visits the Banjariya village and are greeted by the most amazing welcome ceremony! From this point onwards, this village will remain a part of me for the rest of my life.

3rd, 4th, 5th December, 2019 – Worksite construction, cultural exchange

6th December, 2019 – The most difficult part of the trek, saying goodbye to the village community and leave for Kathmandu

Over the next few days – lots of reflecting, good times with my team mates (except Vi who had to return on the 7th) exploring Nepal.