On 23rd March nineteen of us embarked on a poverty reduction trip to Nepal, with little of idea of what to expect but full of high hopes. Needless to say we were not disappointed. We began our experience in Kathmandu, where we discovered a different culture, visiting places such as Durbar Square and learning how to haggle! After visiting the Gurkha Welfare Scheme we continued our trip at a Tibetan Refugee School, where our purpose was to dig a hole in order to install a drinking water storage system. Although not quite finishing the project, the three days here were the most memorable for many. We got to know the students whilst we worked and even taught some classes, and because of the spectacular culture show when we saw traditional Tibetan dances. Then we moved onto the Chitwan Jungle - where we experienced walking, elephant and jeep safaris, and the highlights were the many rhinos and washing the elephants. The final days of the trip were spent back in the capital. Our time was filled learning to mediate at the Kopan Monastery, hearing about the work of DFIF, ICIMOD and WWF, and receiving a blessing at Boudhanath Stupa. This trip of a lifetime was made all the more amazing by the humour and support of our expedition leaders Tim Willis, Clare Howes, Major Reavill and Mrs Morris, and our memories from it will last us a lifetime. 

Izzi Baker, Lower Sixth