Once-in-a-lifetime experience as staff help make Nepal school possible

Apr 13, 2023

Since 2018, Riverina Water has partnered with South Wagga Rotary on several aid projects in Sindhuli and Banepa in Nepal. 

Since 2018, Riverina Water has partnered with South Wagga Rotary on several aid projects in Sindhuli and Banepa in Nepal. 

With COVID-19 putting a hold on the partnership since early 2020, the project was given the green light to recommence this year.  

South Wagga Rotary helped establish the institute in Sindhuli, which began with engineering students and has since expanded into nursing and other courses.

Riverina Water staff members Virginia Ricardo and Brenton Pitman, together with 18 other volunteers, have since returned from Nepal where they spent two weeks working on the nurses/teaching accommodation building,

“Riverina Water has been a proud supporter of this project for a number of years and along with providing $5900 in funding to give this unique experience to staff, we will again be hosting engineering cadets from Nepal in the future,” Riverina Water CEO Andrew Crakanthorp said.

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Virginia and Brenton, who have had to call on and develop their teamwork, leadership skills and initiative."

When speaking with Virginia and Brenton regarding their trip to Nepal, they expressed how grateful they were for the opportunity to give back to the Sindhuli region.

“The trip was well organised, the team worked together well from day one and we achieve a lot more work than I had expected. It was a great achievement to get so much work completed for the community," Virginia said.

"The Sindhuli Community Technical Institute houses several buildings where they teach a variety of courses and provide accommodation for the students who live in adjacent regions and cannot afford the expense of travel or rent."

Both acknowledged their admiration for Rotary and the sheer amount of work they have completed in Nepal over the years.

“Not only was Rotary and the team working on the institute, but they also managed initiatives including distributing backpacks, uniforms, shoes, stationery, and sporting goods to primary schools," Brenton said.

"Together with supplying sewing machines, providing training to local women, and organising better water sanitation units for local hospitals.

“The experience to be involved in such a great project is one that I will carry with me for life. I hope that the relationship can continue to help benefit more people in need."