The Juniper Trust was founded in 1994 by Angela Locke and supported by Patron Sir Chris Bonington, together they have built a charity which directly helps many of the poorest countries in the world. The trust aims to work in the most low-impact, sustainable way to support the poorest communities and children in the developing world.

“The Juniper Trust is currently working on several projects in Nepal, which have been delayed due to Covid-19 and now need to urgently raise further funds and awareness ahead of winter 2020.” comments Sir Chris Bonington

Home to some of the world's most treasured mountain trails and walks amongst seasoned mountaineers and amateur hikers, still the people of Nepal struggle to feed, clothe and educate their children. Since the devastating Earthquake in Nepal in 2015, The Juniper Trust has focused on the reconstruction of damaged schools in remotes areas that would otherwise receive little help. 18 schools have now been rebuilt, including a hostel for blind students at Dhulikhel School in Kathmandu, none of which are small achievements, but there is still so much further to go.

Building Schools in Nepal

A 7.8 magnitude tremor on 25 April 2015, followed by a 7.3 aftershock two weeks later, killed almost 9,000 people. More than 740,000 homes and 32,000 classrooms were damaged or destroyed throughout Nepal but nowhere was worse hit than the steep, crowded and poor mountainside dwellings close to the epicentre in the Sindhupalchok District. In just over 4 years, 17 schools and a hostel for blind students in Kathmandu have been reconstructed, helping over 3000 children.

In 2021, the Juniper Trust is embarking on its 19th project in the remote village of Maili. This village has been using a temporary school since the earthquake and still receives very little help from the outside world. Ideally, the village  would like two classroom blocks for the 200 children, but ultimately this will depend on fundraising. £25,000 is required to build each of the three classroom blocks with its own separate toilet block for boys and girls.

“The Juniper Trust continues to receive requests for help from other schools in Nepal and is now raising money to rebuild a school for 200 children in Maili Village which is located in the Kinja Valley, high up on the southern slopes of Pikey Peak. We hope to start the work as soon as fundraising allows and to complete the first school block by May 2021 and the second in by November 2021.” comments Angela Locke, Founder

Self-sufficiency: planting 10,000 fruit trees in Nepal

Rural villagers in Nepal, depend on their natural environment for food and housing. Chopping down trees can unintentionally destroy the habitat they depend upon to live. Working with the communities in the Kinja Valley, where Juniper Trust has rebuilt several schools, three sites have been located to plant 2,500 trees in August 2020 and a further three sites for 7,500 in August 2021.

The saplings, a mixture of Walnut, Pecan, Peach, Plum, Sichuan Pepper, Mandarin and Lapsi, will generate fruit income for up to 10 years as they grow and help the villagers.

The Trust requires a total budget of $10,000 for 10,000 trees, the cost is just $1 per tree, planted. 50% will cover purchase costs and transportation to the planting sites and 50% will pay for local labour from the communities they will help. There is a Just Giving page which people can donate to on a simple individual basis to plant 10 trees it is just £8.00.

In support of these monumental efforts by the charity, Adventure Aid Nepal was born in 2017. Every year a group of 16 lucky volunteers are invited to spend 18 days with the villagers. In 2021 the focus will be to help the remote village of Maili, helping to paint school classrooms, plant trees and trek to Pikey Peak on the final week. Volunteers are now invited to join the Adventure Aid Nepal in October 2021, the chance of a lifetime.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors: For further press information, images, or interviews please contact TaylorMadePR: Sarah Taylor at sarah@taylormadepr.com or call +44 (0)207 183 1075 or 07794084443

About Juniper Trust:

www.thejunipertrust.org

• 30 Wordsworth Street, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7QY, United Kingdom
• Registered Charity Number: 1053356

School Reconstruction Project:

• https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/20schoolsby2020

10,000 Tree Planting Project:

• Nepal Fruit Tree Planting Initiative:
• https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/10000treesfornepal

Adventure Aid Nepal

• Adventure Aid Nepal in 2021 the aim is to help the remote village of Maili, where 90 students have been using a temporary school for their education
• Brainchild of Sam Rowley, Part of a Father and Son team within The Juniper Trust.

• https://adventureaidnepal.org/oct-30th-nov-15th-2020-gumdel-school-pikey-peak/
• Launched in 2017 in support of The Juniper Trust, it is an opportunity for the Volunteers to engage and meet the local villagers and Give-Back in some small way

THE JUNIPER TRUST