A trek through Nepal typically has the makings of a life-altering experience. For Royal Bay secondary teacher Troy Harris, that proved to be the case and then some.
After hearing from his guide, a native of the remote village of Sanitar, about the poor state of the Nepalese public education system, Harris decided he was going to try and make a difference in the developing country.
B次元官网网址淚 was thinking about how I could maybe help in a different way, rather than just educate kids here in Langford and Colwood; that maybe I could provide something more,B次元官网网址� he recalled.
Initially, Harris thought he would donate some money, but that idea evolved into him taking money and finding a way to give back in a more hands-on way.
His initiative eventually grew into Canadian World Education Society (CanWES), a non-profit that established the Everest English School, a 250-student, 20-staff member school thatB次元官网网址檚 now in its 10th year of operation.
B次元官网网址淚 remember being questioned by people saying, B次元官网网址榶ou really want to do this for the rest of your life?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� he said.
Five years after the schoolB次元官网网址檚 opening, the full scope of how much time, effort and energy heB次元官网网址檇 expended fully hit him, but the rewarding nature of his work is the ultimate motivator.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 remarkable to walk into that village and see those kids and the education and the way it changes,B次元官网网址� Harris said. He hasnB次元官网网址檛 had a chance to visit Nepal since 2011 because he feels his own money is better spent on the organization rather than on expensive overseas flights for himself.
Unfortunately, the schoolB次元官网网址檚 foundation was literally rocked last year by forces beyond anyoneB次元官网网址檚 control.
Following the violent 2015 earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people, it was determined that the Everest schoolB次元官网网址檚 buildings were damaged beyond repair and theyB次元官网网址檇 need to find a new home.
CanWES is currently fundraising for a new $70,000 facility, of which $10,000 has been raised so far.
Meanwhile, students are continuing to receive their education in small huts, but the conditions are less than ideal.
B次元官网网址淭he kids have had to put up with some cold conditions, and you can imagine in the summertime when itB次元官网网址檚 monsoon season, the winds and the rains that come and those kids are sitting in outdoor, sort-of classrooms. WeB次元官网网址檝e made it work and the teachers have been very patient and the kids have been very patient, but itB次元官网网址檚 still a work in progress,B次元官网网址� Harris said.
In an effort to raise funds for the new building, this Saturday (Nov. 26) CanWES is hosting a night of magic on the West Shore featuring Camilo Dominguez, a Belmont alum and a former student of Harris.
The teacher recalled how Dominguez would entertain his fellow students during Grade 10 Social Studies class.
B次元官网网址淲e started every class with magic and I would say I had the best attendance in the school. Everyone wanted to be there for that,B次元官网网址� he said.
Having honed his craft since he was a toddler in Colombia, DominguezB次元官网网址檚 act is now a well-oiled machine, making for a thrilling performance.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 just grown into this incredible, creative, charismatic human being,B次元官网网址� Harris said, adding that Dominguez gives a portion of proceeds from all of his shows to CanWES.
The organization will also host a golf tournament in the spring and an annual hanging basket sale that runs in February and March, with orders being delivered in time for MotherB次元官网网址檚 Day.
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com
