Looking back at 2025 - and forward to 2026
- hvpnuk
- Dec 17, 2025
- 6 min read
As we approach Christmas and the end of 2025, we look back on a year of volatility and unrest in the beautiful Himalayan country of Nepal, but which has seen the HVP schools flourishing and bringing huge impact to the communities they serve. We also share details of our upcoming AGM and hope to see you there.
On behalf of all the trustees of HVPN-UK, and the community in Nepal, we wish you a wonderful festive period.
Political instability
As you may have seen in the global media, this Summer saw some volatility and tragedy in Nepal, when young people hit the streets in September to express their dissatisfaction at the government - and especially a proposed ban on social media sites - and were met with lethal force from the authorities that took the lives of dozens of protestors, including 20 young people. The Prime Minister resigned and an interim government has been in place since mid September, led by Nepal's first ever female PM - Sushila Karki. This interim government has been involving young people in decision-making, but with elections scheduled for March 2026 there has continued to be a lack of certainty and stability for residents and institutions in Nepal.
Volunteers returning to the HVP schools in 2026!
The summer saw a tentative renewal of our long-dormant UK-Nepal volunteer schemes, with one University of Kent student traveling out to volunteer as a teacher with support from the UK government's Turing scheme, a visit by HVPN-UK Committee member Priyenka Devkota in the lead up to starting her studies at UCL during which she supporter pre-KG classes, and a visit by a group from Merchant Taylor School (led by HVPN-UK's new Chair Matthew Hilton-Dennis).
Thanks to the hard work of HVPN-UK trustee Ellie Piggott and other dedicated committee members, we look set to build on this much-anticipated renewal of UK volunteering in 2026. Students across a number of UK universities (including oxford, Cambridge and UCL) have been informed of the opportunity to volunteer at the schools over the Summer in 2026, and many have expressed interest in traveling out to give their time and energy in exchange for the transformative experience that only Nepal and the HVP community can offer. This resurgence of the volunteer scheme is fantastic news for the schools, and especially the Children's Peace Home that relies especially heavily on funds raised by volunteers and supporters due to its entirely charitable model. UK volunteers support the running of the school practically and bring energy and inspiration to the students, who are delighted to learn about other cultures and practice their English with native speakers. At the same time the funds they raise provide a vital injection of income for the schools to allow them to improve school facilities and resources.
If you might be interested in traveling out to visit the schools as a volunteer in 2026 please reach out to Ellie via hvpnuk@gmail.com for more information about how this can work and the support you can get from HVPN-UK and the community in Nepal to plan a trip and make the most of the experience. If you can help spread the word about the volunteering opportunity, or help arrange an information day in a UK university or training college, please also get in touch.
Current funding priorities
An urgent priority for Central and Dang school this year has been the need to purchase new school buses, in order to be able to provide reliable transport to and from school for students living some distance away. In order to keep running costs low, as well as to lower the environmental footprint of school activities, an Electric Vehicle (EV) is the obvious choice for the schools - however such vehicles represent a significant investment. HVPN-UK has been able to support from its limited reserves to cover around 40% of the cost of each bus, with a determination to try and raise more money in the coming months to cover the shortfall. On the basis of this support, HVP Central has already managed to make an initial down-payment and take ownership of a bus, much to the relief and delight of the school community. We hope to be able to help cover the remaining sum for this and the much-needed Dang vehicle with the support of generous donors and fundraisers in the UK. If you feel able to make a donation - however small - you will be helping HVP carry out its core mission to offer education founded in human values philosophy to all, irrespective of means. You can make a donation - adding 20% via Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer - on our JustGiving page.
Looking ahead, all three HVP schools have identified the need to upgrade classrooms with interactive whiteboards and AV equipment in order to keep up with the times. The expectation amongst parents in Nepal is now that schools have 'smart classrooms' that allow for interactive, engaging and modern lessons for the best educational results and the best school experience for students. This will be a focus for upcoming fundraising in 2026.
Annual General Meeting 2025-6, and congratulations Freya Ji!
HVPN-UK's AGM will take place online on Sunday 18th January 2026 (11.30am) - and you are warmly invited to attend. We will present the Annual Return for the financial year 2024-5, update on developments in the charity and plans for the year ahead, and vote on any changes to the trustee board. If you are interested in taking on the rewarding role of a trustee of HVPN-UK, giving your invaluable time, energy and experience to helps teer and run this small but impactful volunteer-led charity, please email hvpnepaluk@gmail.com for more information about what this would entail and a chance to chat with one of the committee about the process for being voted onto the board.
At the AGM one of our current trustees will be stepping down - for a very good reason! Long-serving dedicated trustee of HVPN-UK, Freya, will be stepping down for the moment in order to give time to family - as she is due to give birth in January! On behalf of the HVP community in the UK and Nepal we all offer heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Freya Ji for this momentous step on life's journey.
AGM joining link (Teams): Join the meeting
Or join using the Teams app: Meeting ID: 373 048 934 774 6 | Passcode: tf6TU2wp
Recent fundraising and social events
In October a group of intrepid HVPN-UK supporters and trustees embarked on a trek in the 'Himalayas of Southern England' - the Chilterns! Chair Matthew Hilton-Dennis led the walk, which was to raise awareness and funds for HVP's urgent needs, and reported on the event thus:
"We were a merry group of families who climbed to the top of Ivinghoe Beacon, the summit of our Chiltern Himalayan adventure, and then enjoyed a picnic - a mixture of British and Nepali snacks - on the ridgeline in autumnal sunshine. My thanks to everyone who came along, or who helped in its organisation. We have got the fundraising going once more and we will use this event as a launchpad for further efforts, both collective and individual. Best of all was to see the children - the next generation! - playing together, and my thanks to Mridu and Phil for bringing their families along to join my own. There was as much fruit rolling and wrestling as there was walking at times - and all the better for it!"
From the 'high lands' of Nepal to the Highlands of Nepal! Residents of Aultbea on the NW coast of Scotland gathered for a Christmas quiz in aid of HVPN-UK in early December. Participants had their knowledge of both Nepal and Scotland tested, along with fun music and news rounds, before attempting to complete a Christmas challenge - building 'sprout Everests' using nothing but that favourite of Christmas vegetables and a box of toothpicks.
CPH children share their world
Young residents of the Children's Peace Home in Parsa have been using cameras to capture their daily experiences and we are lucky enough to have some of their wonderful photos to share with you.
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