Summer Merrick and the Chapp Village north west of Kathmandu have issued a thank you to everyone in the Ararat community who helped raise money to support the Nepal Community/Education Centre.

Donations raised in the community totalled $1979.15.

And it was a very proud young Summer who earlier this year personally delivered the funds, which she said go a long way in Nepal. 

As part of her campaign to raise funds for the Nepal Community/Education Centre, the Ararat Primary School pupil organised an art exhibition in Moyston as well as an afternoon of music.

The funds ultimately went toward a solar system for the centre and Summer assisted in installing solar panels, wiring, lights and batteries for which the people of Chapp village asked Summer to pass on a big Namaste. 

This centre will now be used for community gatherings,education, workshops and as a medical centre. It is the only building in the village with power. 

Summer delivered the donations to the Nepal Community/Education Centre in a 10-day trip there over the school holidays before Easter.

“The school was half an hour's walk from Dueta's, the lady that we stayed with for three days,” Summer said.

It took eight hours by bus to get to Dueta’s house, from where Summer said she had spectacular views of Himalayan peaks including Annapurna, Machapuchare and Lamjung. 

“The best bit was seeing all the people and how they live. The worst bit about it was seeing all the rubbish, some areas were very good because they had installed rubbish bin,” the Ararat Primary School pupil said.

“We saw stray dogs but most of them were well looked after.”

Two children from the Nepalese community gave Summer assistance by showing her around the village.

They also provided translations into English of the questions the community had for her.

“All the people we met were very friendly, some of the kids were cheeky and had lots of fun,” Summer said. 

“The school had a big ceremony and they dressed me up in traditional clothes and also taught me traditional dance. 

“After returning from the Himalayas we traveled back to Kathmandu and explored the old parts of the Kathmandu Valley.” 

Part of the trip included a four-hour mountain walk to deliver a volley ball kit, a popular sport in Nepal.

The kit went to students at Banasthali School which Ms Merick said has previously been helped by her parents.