Why don't they have power?

Blackouts are a regular occurrence in Nepal. From October until July, the coldest and darkest months of the year, the government restricts electricity for up to 16 hours per day. Nepalis have grown to anticipate daily power shortages, consulting load shedding schedules in newspapers and downloading apps for updates. I take for granted the ease in which I can charge my cell phone or flip on a light switch to read at night. 

**NOTE: Donations above and beyond the solar project will be invested into the school to support teachers and develop the new academic program.

What can be done?

Our sustainable solution

Solar experts in Nepal and America suggested a hybrid solar model to use the existing grid (when it is working) along with solar cells to combat load shedding and provide power. With this system, the monks will be able to light key areas --- library, kitchen, cafeteria, classrooms and puja hall --- for up to two days of blackout. Money saved on candles, torches, generators, electricity bills (40NPR/day is a big deal for the monks) and flashlights can be redirected to teaching salaries.

CLICK HERE for FAQs on Matepani and the solar project.

Our local team

We met with several companies before teaming up with Gham Power, a group of engineers and entrepreneurs with a proven track record. I’m thrilled to support their business and work with a local company championing renewable energy. Their team has taken time to address all presented concerns before developing a proposal with high-quality components, an energy management unit to monitor and record data, and a function that allows for solar energy use during load shedding hours. 

Gham Power is going to provide on-site training during the installation process and a manual (in Nepali!) for maintenance and troubleshooting. They've also guaranteed two years of support to help the monks monitor and maintain the equipment.

To download the complete project proposal and see some of the areas that will benefit, visit our GALLERY.

Rewards for your support

While the final project is estimated at 666,000NPR (1USD = 99.603NPR), we've set our fundraise goal for $8,000USD to account for exchange rates, Indiegogo fees and any unexpected expenses along the way. 

Your support is appreciated, whether monetary or otherwise. You can share, tweet, comment, even send a kind note to our team. Take a look at some of the perks for your participation: 

From left: mala, khata, sung.

A birthday present for Sangpo

Our Project Director, Sangpo, entered the monastery at age eleven. His remarkable intelligence, charisma, and responsible vision is leading our efforts. I'm honored to help him invest in the place he was brought as a young boy to study and live over fifteen years ago. With installation scheduled for early April, we hope to complete construction by his May birthday (and before Nepal's rainy season!).

Visit our UPDATES page for new perks, project news, and team announcements.

Dherai dherai dhannyabad! 

Thank you so much!