Why Every MHA Trek Helps Support Children in Solukhumbu

A trek with Moon Himalaya Adventure is first and foremost about the experience you have come to Nepal for. But for us, the value created by that trek does not have to end when the trip is over.

Part of the profit from our trips helps schoolchildren in Solukhumbu through Bomzan Social Service Nepal, an initiative closely connected to MHA co-founder Lachhuman Tamang and the place where he grew up.

There is a personal reason behind it.

For Lachhuman, providing school uniforms, bags and stationery is not based on a distant idea of charity. These are some of the same things he struggled to have as a child.

It Began With Lachhuman’s Own Experience at School

Lachhuman grew up in Gorakhani, Solukhumbu, in northeastern Nepal.

His family had very limited means, and even some of the basic things needed for school could be difficult to afford.

He remembers struggling to get proper school clothes, a school bag and stationery. Those experiences stayed with him long after childhood.

Years later, when he was in a position to help, he wanted to make those basic necessities easier to access for children facing similar circumstances.

That experience became the foundation of what he does today.

From Working in the Mountains to Giving Back

Lachhuman’s circumstances did not change overnight.

He started working in Nepal’s trekking industry as a porter at the age of 13. Over the years, he moved through different roles in trekking and mountaineering before eventually becoming an International Mountain Leader.

The mountains gave him a livelihood and, over time, a career.

As his circumstances improved, he became able to give something back to the place where his own story began.

That eventually led to Bomzan Social Service Nepal, through which he began helping local students and families.

For Lachhuman, the connection is simple.

The mountains created opportunities that shaped his life. Today, part of what he earns through the same industry can help children in the region he comes from.

What the Students Receive

The educational assistance focuses on practical things children can use in everyday school life.

Each year, Bomzan Social Service provides items such as:

• school uniforms
• school bags
• stationery
• sports materials

The assistance is focused especially on children from families facing financial difficulties and orphan students. More than 300 students receive help each year.

These may seem like ordinary school items.

But when a family is already struggling financially, even basic necessities can be difficult to provide.

The aim is simple: help with practical things that can make attending school a little easier.

For Lachhuman, seeing children receive things he once struggled to have himself is one of the reasons this remains so personal.

How an MHA Trek Contributes

This is where Moon Himalaya Adventure and Bomzan Social Service come together.

MHA earns its income by organising and leading treks and Himalayan trips. From the profit generated through these trips, we set aside money to help fund the educational initiatives carried out through Bomzan Social Service.

We prefer to keep that relationship simple.

It is not an extra experience travellers need to purchase, and we do not want the children receiving assistance to become part of a marketing campaign.

People travel with MHA because they want to experience Nepal and want their trip to be planned and led well.

Supporting children in Solukhumbu is simply something we have chosen to build into what happens behind those trips.

Why We Focus on Solukhumbu

Solukhumbu is not simply a trekking destination connected to MHA.

It is where Lachhuman comes from.

He was born and raised in Gorakhani, and that connection has remained with him throughout his career.

That is why the initiative has stayed close to home.

Rather than trying to help everywhere, Bomzan Social Service focuses on an area Lachhuman knows personally and where he understands some of the difficulties local families face.

We cannot solve every challenge faced by a child or family.

But we can help with some of the things within our reach and do so consistently.

Education remains the main focus, although Bomzan Social Service has also responded when other needs have arisen. During the COVID pandemic, for example, basic food supplies such as rice, oil and lentils were distributed to villagers who had lost work, while sanitary materials were provided to the local health post.

The approach has remained the same: understand what people need and help where possible.

What This Means When You Trek With MHA

We do not expect someone to choose Moon Himalaya Adventure simply because we help schoolchildren.

You should choose the company leading your Himalayan trip because you trust the people responsible for it, the way it is organised and the standard of service and leadership you will receive.

But travelling with MHA also becomes part of a wider story.

Part of the value created through our trips helps us maintain the educational initiatives carried out through Bomzan Social Service.

For us, it is a simple way for some of the benefits created by trekking in Nepal to return to the place where Lachhuman’s own story began.

A traveller may come to Nepal for a trek.

For us, part of what comes from that trek can go a little further, to a schoolchild in Solukhumbu who needs it.