sourires chaleureux
Project: Humla District
Location: Siada and Kolsi Villages, North-West Nepal
Date: Nov 2021
Status: Completed (Warm Smiles Campaign – Phase II)
The Challenge
Humla is one of the most isolated regions on Earth, ranked by the UN as one of the world's poorest districts. Located at altitudes up to 7,300 meters, many villages receive no direct sunlight for months, even in summer. With a life expectancy 20 years lower than the national average and a lack of basic road access, children in Humla face extreme vulnerability to the harsh Himalayan winters.
Our Intervention
The Metal for Nepal team undertook an 8-hour trek from Simikot, navigating icy riverbanks and mountain passes to reach the remote schools of Siada and Kolsi. Our mission was to provide immediate protection against the sub-zero temperatures that often force schools to close or leave children malnourished and ill.
Key Achievements
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595 high-quality winter jackets distributed to children across two mountain villages.
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Successfully reached communities located 9 days away from the nearest roadhead.
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Partnered with local porters and horse caravans to ensure delivery through blizzard conditions.
Project: Gorkha District
Location: Kerauja and Nurbi, Northern-Central Nepal
Date: Jan 2022
Status: Completed (Warm Smiles Campaign Phase III)
The Challenge
The village of Kerauja in the Gorkha District sits in a rugged, high-altitude zone of the Gandaki region. Following the long-term recovery needs of the district, educational infrastructure and student welfare remain a priority. In these high-altitude schools, the biting cold often hinders a child's ability to focus on education, as families struggle to afford adequate winter clothing.
Our Intervention
We visited the resilient community of Kerauja to support the student population of two local schools. The focus of this mission was to foster a sense of hope and positivity, ensuring that every child felt the support of the global community while receiving the gear necessary to stay in school throughout the winter months.
Key Achievements
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400+ students supported at Kerauja Secondary School.
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87 students supported at Nurbi Adharbhut School.
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Provided comprehensive sets of warm clothing to nearly 500 children in the region.
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Strengthened community ties with local educators to monitor ongoing student needs.
Project: East Rukum District
Location: Puta Uttarganga Rural Municipality, Lumbini Province
Date: December 2024
Status: Completed (Warm Smiles Campaign –Phase IV)
The Challenge
East Rukum is the northernmost and only mountainous district of Lumbini Province. Primarily home to the Magar community, one of Nepal's oldest indigenous groups, the region carries a complex history as a vital contributor to the country’s political revolution. Despite these historical shifts, the quality of education and infrastructure remains a challenge. Furthermore, deeply ingrained cultural practices, such as forced marriage, continue to threaten the education and safety of young girls in the region.
Our Intervention
In December 2025, the Metal for Nepal team journeyed to the Puta Uttarganga Rural Municipality to distribute warm jackets and support educational initiatives. After a long road journey through Dhorpatan, the team completed a grueling 11-hour trek on foot through hilly villages to reach local schools. Beyond providing warmth, we collaborated with local female school heads who are working tirelessly to break regressive customs and inspire young girls to pursue long-term careers.
Key Achievements
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Distributed warm jackets to children across the remote mountainous villages of East Rukum.
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Partnered with Karma Flights to support broader educational empowerment beyond clothing.
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Established 4 new libraries in local schools to provide students with lasting access to knowledge and resources.
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Conducted outreach and dialogue with community leaders to support the safety and educational rights of young girls.
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Navigated an 11-hour mountain trek to ensure delivery to schools inaccessible by vehicle.
Project: East Rukum (Sisne) – Phase V
Location: Sisne Gau Palika, East Rukum District
Date: January 2026
Status: Completed (Warm Smiles Campaign – Phase V)
The Challenge
As our team returned to the high-altitude terrain of East Rukum, our ground assessments revealed a critical gap in winter protection. While jackets are essential for core warmth, many children were still navigating icy mountain trails and frozen school grounds in thin sandals or worn-out footwear. This led to persistent health issues and hindered their ability to attend school comfortably during the peak of winter.
Our Adaptive Response
Demonstrating our commitment to evolving based on ground knowledge, Phase V marked a significant expansion of our aid package. For the first time, we integrated durable winter shoes alongside our signature warm jackets. By listening to the needs of the community, we shifted from providing a single garment to delivering a more comprehensive "warmth solution" for the children of Sisne.
Key Achievements
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Massive Outreach: Successfully reached and supported 759 children in a single mission.
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School Coverage: Coordinated logistics across 5 different schools within the Sisne Gau Palika.
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Evolution of Aid: Distributed 759 pairs of winter shoes in addition to 759 high-quality jackets, ensuring full-body protection against the elements.
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Local Insight: Applied data and feedback from our previous Rukum mission (Dec 2025) to better serve the specific requirements of the local student population.