Himalayan Volunteer Tourism reaches world’s second highest & coldest inhabited place with its education programme
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MANDI: What started as a humble initiative by a group of volunteers backed by a local mountaineer and hiker, with just four kids at Tirthan Valley of Himachal Pradesh, has now blossomed into a movement that is helping thousands of students across the majestic Himalayan region.
Only yesterday, the team of such volunteers working under the name of Himalayan Volunteer Organisation, which works extensively across five key sectors of education, skill development, health and hygiene, environment and community development reached the world’s second highest and coldest inhabited place Ladakh with its educational programme, furthering their mission to uplift and empower the future generations of the Himalayas.
Their latest endeavour has taken them to the stunning landscapes of Ladakh, where they profoundly announced a collaborative project with research fellows from Stanford University. Together, the HVT team and these brilliant minds are working tirelessly to bring quality education and sustainable development to the region’s communities.
Their voluntary services include teaching assistance, career and emotional counselling, art and craft workshops, spoken English sessions and awareness workshops focussing upon environment and waste management skills.
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Panki Sood, Co-Founder of Himalayan Volunteer Tourism project and also of Sunshine Himalayan Adventures and Cottages, in an exclusive conversation with TNR, informed that HVT was committed to enhancing educational opportunities in the Himalayas through several innovative programs which included storytelling sessions, personality development, soft skills, digital literacy, computer labs, magicbox projects, parental guidance workshops, student excursions, teachers training workshops, skill development and customised programmes.
“It is an initiative which brings together volunteers from all walks of life who would like to contribute towards development and conservation of the Himalayan region. As a facilitator, enabler and aggregator, HVT connects volunteers with host organisations for social good,” he added.
“The humble beginning was done in 2018 but it gained momentum post Covid. With the support of many a generous volunteer both individuals and organisations, the HVT has in the last three years has done tremendous works to boasts upon,” he shared.
HVT has supported over 40 schools and benefitted over 22,000 students across six states. The initiative has conducted many teacher training sessions in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, Assam, a mushroom farming workshop in Jammu & Kashmir with over hundred participants, and storytelling workshop reaching many participants, said Sood.
Mahima Mehra, other co-founder of the HVT who is also director at The Srot Rural Education and Development Foundation, an alternative education centre in Tirthan valley, Kullu, for children from remote villages, said that HVT’s collaboration programme has supported over 200 students in computer literacy in 3 schools in different Himalayan states. The organisation has established four learning centres in Uttarakhand and collaborated with over forty partners across states, she said
“HVT’s community development programs focus on building stronger, and more resilient communities. One of the programme implemented in a village in Uttarakhand, addresses holistic community development, while our homestay promotion and support programme encourages and supports homestay businesses, particularly in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal, to boost local tourism and economic development. We regularly organise community cleaning initiatives to promote hygiene and environmental awareness” she told.
How it all works
Volunteers from various age groups and skill sets bring fresh/different perspectives to homestays, hotels and restaurants, enhancing promotion and brand building. They manage social media, craft engaging content, and share authentic experiences, attracting a broader audience.
Beyond promotion, volunteers support daily operations, assist with chores, and contribute specialised skills like graphic design or customer service training, which improve the quality of services offered.
Their involvement has a positive ripple effect on the community, boosting local economies by increasing tourism and creating opportunities for local artisans, farmers and service providers.
Volunteers also engage in community outreach, further strengthening the bond between the establishment and the local community. Through their efforts, both the business and the surrounding community thrive.
