Exploring the roof of the world: Sites2See. NSW Curriculum and Learning Innovation Centre

Exploring the roof of the world

Nepal

Behind Begnash dam of Begnash Tal (lake) Pokhara, Nepal

Nepal is in South Asia, between India and China, and has a population of 29 million. Nepal was a monarchy from 1959 to 1990 and has since undergone political change.

The Himalaya mountains extend 2, 414 kilometres from the east to west of Nepal — an area often referred to as the Roof of the world.

Buddhist prayer flags at the lookout tower near Nagarkot, Nepal

Nepal is a country of fantastic geography and many shrines and temples. The life, customs and beliefs of the people of Nepal are varied and there are over 100 languages spoken within the population.

Learn about a kid’s life in Nepal. Babita Biswokarma is a twelve-year-old girl who lives near Pokhara in Nepal. From her home she can see the snow-covered peaks of the Himalayan mountains.

Mount Everest and Nuptse from Kalapatthar

Mount Everest and Nuptse from Kalapatthar. Photo by Pavel Novak CC-BY-2.5

Sir Edmund Hillary

Sir Edmund Hillary was a New Zealand mountain climber who, with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, was the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Sir Edmund’s legacy

Sir Edmund Hillary

Inspired by the Sherpas he respected and with whom he became friends, Sir Edmund set up the Himalayan Trust in 1960. The Trust provides such things as education, health facilities and monastery repairs for the Sherpas.

The Khumjung school

Students of the Khumjung Secondary School

The Khumjung Secondary School, established by the Himalayan Trust was built in 1961 and in 2011 celebrated its 50th anniversary.

To celebrate, a troupe of Australian and New Zealand comic performers visited 25 of the Himalayan Trust schools, teaching the students juggling and tricks. Their journey ended at the Khumjung school where they worked with the students to create a celebratory performance.

Image from the Roof of the World Tour, linked to website