Our Team

Our team in the UK is made up entirely of volunteers, but who are they and what do they do?

Click here to read about the Nepal team.

Oliver - Voluntary Coordinator

› My photo from the BBC a few years ago now!

You may have spoken to me, been contacted by me, kept up-to-date by me, or, been apologised to by me (for the website failing that is!). My main role is to organise and keep the communication between you, me, and everyone else rolling. I have also got lots of projects up my sleave most of the time which you may or may not hear about! I spent a year in Nepal back in 2000 helping another charity in education. Since then myself and others formulated that we could provide far better projects than the charities we experienced and founded Himalayan Learning. I visit the various projects for between 3 weeks and 3 months every year since (and before you say lucky guy, I assure you it is much harder than you think!)

Since 2000, and between trips to the Himalaya, I graduated from Leeds University, winning the prize for the highest degree in the university for Himalayan Learning projects. I then went to the School of Oriental and African Studies to do a Masters degree in Himalayan Law and Conflict - continuing my obsession for all things Himalayan. I currently work for a human rights organisation in London.

Menuka - Voluntary Field Coordinator

Hello, Oliver has asked me to tell you a little about myself. I was born in a tiny village in Nepal in 1980 to a large family. My father was a local health worker and empowered me to learn. I became the only educated person in my family and worked as a teacher. Myself and Oliver (who came to work in my village in 2000) decided that we could do a much better and cheaper job than most of the big international organisations, and in 2002 founded Himalayan Learning.

› At a school several years ago

Since we started the organisation, I have been busy studying health myself. I manage the programs in Nepal and keep a very good check on everything. In 2006 we have taken on a co-ordinator because we no longer had the time to continue volunteering as the organisation scale gets larger and more successful. I have a lot of experience as the children and communities we support are where I come from, so I know the issues and problems far better than any big incoming organisations with the flashy bags of money.

Others

We have a few other helpers, and will mention one here. Helena Williams-Pugh has a background in education, trained as a primary teacher in Liverpool, and then down in the South West. She works with different community groups raising money for charity. She has also been to Nepal and has links with the Himalaya.