May ‘25 Project Update
This spring, Project Red Panda returned to eastern Nepal to continue our mission of uplifting under-resourced schools and children through creative and meaningful support. From bikes and backpacks to murals and art materials, May 2025 was filled with joy, color and connection.
The Journey Begins: Gaighat
After a few days in Kathmandu gathering supplies, Tenjing and Rebecca set off on a motorcycle journey across Nepal. Their first stop: Gaighat, where we had delivered bicycles to children back in December 2024. It was a powerful moment to reconnect with those students and see how they were thriving. Their confidence and joy on two wheels reminded us why this work matters.
We also met with the mayor of Gaighat to discuss securing 50 additional bikes for local children in need—a conversation that laid the groundwork for future bike deliveries.
Into the Hills: Reaching Mangsima
From Gaighat, we began the long trek toward Mangsima, a remote mountain village. After three nights and four days of rugged travel—including a five-hour hike beyond the last road—we finally arrived, welcomed by sweeping landscapes, blooming rhododendrons, and the warm hospitality of the village.
We spent eight days at the PanchaKanya School, working side by side with teachers and students to breathe new life into the learning environment. The school was cleaned and repainted from the inside out, transforming its concrete walls with a vibrant yellow base coat and hand-painted floral designs, inspired by local blooms and painted by Rebecca alongside a talented young village artist. The result was a space that felt like a garden—a place of brightness, joy, and imagination.
Gifts that Keep on Giving
Once painting was complete, we stocked the school with art supplies, educational games like chess, floor mats for the kindergarten class, and learning toys the students had never had access to before. The school previously had no art program—now, thanks to our donors, creativity has a place to bloom in the classroom.
Special thanks to Principal Narendra Gurung, who made sure we felt completely at home, feeding us home-cooked meals and ensuring the village embraced us as family.
Final Stop: Pokhari Gaun
Before returning to the Kathmandu Valley, we visited Pokhari Gaun, where a small school serves students from grades 1 through 3. There, we delivered backpacks, uniforms, writing materials, soccer balls, art supplies, and floor mats for the youngest students. The gratitude from the children and teachers was humbling. We left with full hearts and a commitment to return again with even more support.
What We Faced Along the Way
This journey wasn’t easy. Rainstorms, washed-out roads, thick fog and hours on rocky terrain challenged us at every turn. But the smiles on the students’ faces—and the knowledge that we reached children in some of the most remote corners of Nepal—made every moment worth it.
This mission could not have happened without you. Your donations brought color, creativity, and comfort into the lives of children who deserve to feel seen, supported, and inspired.
Please visit our Instagram Page: @PRPNepal for photos & videos of the projects we completed in May 2025!