ECN Phase I
"From Hidden to
Connected: Empowering Khunde and Khumjung Villages with the Everest Community
Network"
Introduction:
Khunde and Khumjung
villages, which are tucked away in the magnificent Himalayan Mountains in
Nepal's famed Everest area contains yet-undiscovered treasures. These settlements
have remained less well-known and unaffected by the digital revolution, despite
the area becoming more popular with tourists over time. By developing the
Everest Community Network in Khunde and Khumjung, the Nepal Internet Foundation
undertook the admirable task of bringing about change. The initiative intends
to support eco-friendly tourism, protect the natural and cultural environment,
and give Khumjung Secondary School and Khunde Community Hall Internet access.
In this blog, we will examine the Community Network Project's astonishing
effects on these villages, illuminating the transformative potential of
Internet connectivity in rural areas.
Educational Empowerment at Khumjung Secondary
School:
Khumjung Secondary
School, which is located in Khunde and Khumjung, has seen substantial
educational change as a result of Internet connectivity. For both teachers and For students, the Internet has unlocked a universe of instructional resources. With
easy access to dependable resources like Wikipedia and Encyclopedia Britannica
as well as engaging learning platforms, students can now explore a wide variety of subjects and courses. In addition, the Internet has eliminated geographic
boundaries, enabling students to work with classmates from all over the world.
This access to knowledge has proven invaluable for a school in a far-off place
like Khumjung or Khunde, giving kids the power to design their own destiny.
Empowering Local Voices through Podcasting at
Khunde Community Hall:
The Community Network
Project has introduced a new era of podcast-based community interaction at
Khunde Community Hall. The days of needing expensive tools and permits to
launch a podcast have long since passed. Now that anyone with a computer and an
Internet connection can make and share podcasts, it gives locals, companies,
and the government a platform to construct a thriving network. Local podcasts
that highlight Sherpa culture, hardships, and local news have grown to be a key
resource for the neighborhood, highlighting local artists, companies, and
cultural preservation.
Technical Triumphs and Overcoming Challenges:
Significant
difficulties were encountered when establishing the Community Network in the
isolated alpine regions of Khunde and Khumjung. It was difficult to get around
poor weather, a manpower shortage, and power disruptions during the rainy
season. These obstacles were overcome by the Nepal Internet Foundation's
commitment and inventive usage of wireless point-to-point connections,
providing the community with reliable Internet access. The success of the
initiative was greatly influenced by local government backing, which emphasized
the significance of community ownership and engagement.
Sustainability through Community Involvement:
The Nepal Internet
Foundation's strategy for maintaining community networks focused on local
ownership, capacity building, and participation. The network's lifespan was
secured by involving important stakeholders, such as the local government,
Khunde Club, and Khumjung Secondary School. The project gave the locals the
tools they needed to operate their own network by teaching them these skills.
The creation of a podcasting platform and the provision of money for a
high-speed Internet connection strengthened the community's will to maintain
the project's positive effects.
Conclusion:
In the villages of
Khunde and Khumjung, the Everest Community Network has weaved a transforming
tale of empowerment, sustainability, and advancement. The project has opened up
new prospects for education, community involvement, and economic growth by
bridging the digital gap. These formerly remote settlements are now part of the
global community, enhancing lives and protecting their distinctive cultural
heritage. The Nepal Internet Foundation's dedication to connectivity endures as
the initiative widens its scope, representing the hope for a better and more
connected future for Khunde, Khumjung, and beyond.
We cordially invite
you to share in this amazing metamorphosis as Khunde and Khumjung embark on a
journey of connectedness. Let's get together to celebrate how the Internet can
strengthen communities, protect cultures, and build a sustainable future for
future generations. We may transform the unseen into the celebrated and the
disconnected into the involved by working together. Join us in Khunde and
Khumjung communities as we pen the next chapter of the inspirational story of
the Everest Community Network.
ECN Phase II
Connecting the Roof of
the World: High-Speed Internet Reaches Khunde and Khumjung Villages of
Solukhumbu
In a dramatic event
that coincides with the 70th anniversary of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir
Edmund Hillary's historic ascent of Mount Everest, the Everest Community
Network has undergone a revolutionary metamorphosis. The joint efforts of the
Nepal Internet Foundation and the Internet Society, the remote villages of
Khunde and Khumjung in Solukhumbu now have high-speed Internet connectivity.
The Sherpa community in the area as well as outside climbers will benefit
greatly from this new facility, which was commemorated with an inauguration
ceremony at Khumjung School.
Distinguished guests,
including Mr. Peter Hillary, the son of Sir Edmund Hillary, and Mrs. Helen
Clark, the former prime minister of New Zealand, graced the memorable inaugural
ceremony conducted at Khumjung School. Mr. Laxman Adhikari, Chairman of Khumbu
Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Ward No. 4, Mr. Naveed Haq, Regional Director
of the Internet Society, Mr. Bikram Shrestha, President of the Nepal Internet
Foundation, and countless other dignitaries were also present.
The installation of
fiber optic Internet infrastructure in Khunde and Khumjung will have a
significant impact on the neighborhood's Sherpa population. Notably, free
Internet access is now available at Khunde Community Club, Khunde Hospital, and
Khamjung Secondary School, promoting improved chances for learning and
healthcare. In the upcoming phase, high-speed Internet will also be offered at
discounted rates in homes and hotels, which will help the communities'
socioeconomic development.
Beyond connectivity,
the initiative aims to enhance the security of the villages by installing
remote camera systems, safeguarding homes and animals during the Sherpa
people's winter absences. Furthermore, the fiber-powered Everest Community
Network will promote Sherpa culture and lifestyle through the introduction of
Sherpa Homestay projects. By inviting climbers and trekkers to stay in Khunde
and Khumjung, these projects offer a unique opportunity to experience the
Sherpa way of life while supporting local communities.
For the Sherpa people,
President Shrestha sees a future full of opportunities in fields like
education, healthcare, coping with climate change, and generating income. A big
step forward has been made with the introduction of high-speed Internet, which
has allowed the neighborhood to close the digital gap and take advantage of
possibilities and knowledge being shared throughout the world.
The establishment of
high-speed Internet connectivity in the villages of Khunde and Khumjung is
proof of the transformational potential of teamwork. These isolated areas of
Solukhumbu are now flawlessly connected to the Internet because to the tireless
efforts of the Nepal Internet Foundation, the Internet Society, and the local
Sherpa community. This incredible accomplishment not only improves the lives of
the Sherpa people but also has the potential to draw trekkers, adventurers, and
tourists looking for a true Sherpa experience. Up on the highest mountains in
the world, a better, more connected future is made possible by the fiber-powered
Everest Community Network.
With Helen
Clark and Peter Hillary.