2. Mountain People grew from a question David asked during a trip along The Silk Road in 1977: “How could one contribute to enable others less fortunate to utilize their own resources to improve their own life situation?” A private philosophical initiative, called ‘Shrinking Horizons’, challenging traditional thinking, that has grown and grown, resulting in the region of 500 small grassroot micro- projects in Nepal. Today the organization is: - Independent - Non profit - Non political - Non religious - Cross cultural - Registered in Nepal

3. WORKING PHILOSOPHY A project is proposed, and evaluated. Each aspect of the project is placed in a "spider web"-format. On one side: positive issues, on the other side: negative issues. Together with the local people each “+” and each “–” issue is evaluated. A working plan, a realistic budget, and a control system is implemented. Mountain People contributes 50% of costs in form of materials. The village people do the rest – in form of work or land or use of present buildings. There are enough schools in Nepal – they often just need an upgrade.

4. Traditional foreign aid is given to governments of developing countries, based on the belief that they do the best for their own people. A 'filter down' principle: from the government to the base roots of society, has been the mantra in foreign aid. This system has not worked – warring governments, inefficiency and corruption have squandered the aid. Aid to governments is necessary, but aid can lead to dependency – and not sustainability. Historically: The poor stay poor, the rich get richer. Inverted Pyramid Funds contributed by Mountain People are introduced into the lower end of the Economy Pyramid, i.e. local, and not governmental.

5. Pre-school Project Older children often have to look after small brothers and sisters, whilst their parents work. Our goal: establish Pre-School facilities (kinder gardens), so older children can go to school. Bhote Project The Bhote people live in the shadow of Mt Makalu, an isolated community, with poor basic educational/health facilities. To assist we have two schemes: Education Stipend to suit individual needs. Support of 3 local schools. Porters Passport Porters are the backbone of the Nepali trekking and expedition industry. They are not always well treated. MP produces an information booklet.

6. Building Bridges A cultural commitment between peoples of the mountains. Sponsorship and organizing film production, concerts, festivals and exchanges - Volunteering (not functioning at the moment) Join our volunteer program. 1. Ted Project Teaching Environment Development in Kathmandu - be a teacher for a day or a month. 2. Residential stays Work/live in a country village. Helping Hands A way you can be involved – act now – sponsor a child's education, buy 50 or 100 books (in Nepal), secure used medial instruments and have them carried to Nepal, or deliver a used portable computer – the need is endless – even, sponsor your own kindergarden! Contact Uttam!

8. With both parents working, poor families often cannot send their children to school. The older daughter looks after the house and younger children etc. If one child does go to school, a boy is usually chosen.

9. The key to the future is education – across and involving all age groups and genders -

10. Our idea was simple – Phase 1: - Ask for a room in the present school building to be designated: Pre-school. - Mountain People pays for the material. -The villagers carry materials to the village, do the basic work of scraping, plastering and painting. -Today we have over 20 such facilities – -Photo above: as it was! Next photo: as it is!

12. With a pre-school facility a school can apply for a pre-school teacher. Pre-school age children, from poor families can then attend free of charge, while bigger sister gets the opportunity to go to school.

13. Second phase: We ask the school: "What do you want?" - In this school: 5 class rooms were upgraded and a dustbowl of a playground covered with cement. - Another school wanted a simple wall in a large room to separate two classes, yet allowing one teacher to supervise both classes, another needed a toilet, another a water tap….another benches…. -The list is long – with local workers doing the work the costs are often minimal and shared.

16. Phase 3: Three such dormitory rooms were totally upgraded, for approx. Euro 1200 in 2011 – A science department followed, as did a kitchen facility.

18. At present we have over 25 pre-school projects completed/under progress, with six of them at phase 2 – and three of them in phase 3..

19. Finance: - Income has been secured over the years by members kindly donating lectures: Arctic explorer Børge Ousland, world class mountaineers such as Sir Chris Bonington, Doug Scott, Leo Houlding, Andy Kirkpatrik, Jarle Traa and skier Tormod Granheim (skied down Tibet side of Everest). - Contributions from friends/companies. Management: -David in Norway and Uttam in Nepal. -Registered as a non-profit organization with own voluntary Board of Directors. - Free assistance/joint working with Lions Club, Leo Club, Room to Read, KGH and other friends.

21. Buy a Brick – Sell a Brick Why: To consolidate the work done by Mountain People members over 28 years, and to build a sustainable base for the future. Where: Land is purchased - !! -30 minutes from Thamel/Kathmandu. What: A health and dental care facility for 3 local schools, community centre, short term safe rooms for women in need, teaching centre, store room, office and residence for MP staff/volunteers, vegetable garden/hens. When: Start building in 2014 - to be fully operational by 2015. Who: You - the members - and friends/contacts of members.

22. Budget: Rough $140,000 – $ 40,000 to land purchase, $ 90,000 to building, $10,000 back up. Buy a Brick: 1. Decide how many Bricks you wish to buy for yourself, and/or buy one for a friend or family member for Christmas, a birthday, a wedding, or in the name of a new born child. 2. Pay the sum in the currency you are familiar with - using the most convenient method below. 3. Certificate: E-mail Uttam: uttam_phuyal@yahoo.com with the sum donated/to be donated - with the name of the person(s), their e-mail address and an electronic certificate will be sent.uttam_phuyal@yahoo.com 4. Include your/their home address and a Certificate printed on Nepali-recycled paper will be sent in the post from Nepal. 5. When the funds are received you will receive a receipt. 6. Alternatively: email Uttam to say you will pay next time you visit Nepal or you will send the money with a friend. 7. House Builders: a board in the main room will list all who have bought or sold a brick.