Aruna Bhagwan

Running in the Himalayas to Help Kids Access Education This November, I’ll be running The Great Buddhist Marathon in Nepal — a challenging race through the foothills of the Himalayas, at altitudes of up to 4,000 feet. Although it’s called a marathon, the course usually stretches to 28 miles across rugged mountain terrain — so it’s more of an ultra-marathon. And I’ll be doing it will very small group of people and stepping well outside my comfort zone. But this journey isn’t just about the physical challenge. I’m using this opportunity to raise £500 to buy school uniforms for children living in a remote Himalayan village. In these isolated communities, education is often out of reach — not because of a lack of will or motivation, but because of deep structural and economic barriers. Why School Uniforms? In Nepal, especially in rural mountain areas, children are not allowed to attend school without a uniform. Yet for many families, the cost of a uniform — around £10 — is simply unaffordable. To put it into perspective, the average daily wage in these regions is just £1.50. That £10 could feed the whole family for several days. So while education is crucial, it's often viewed as a luxury. The Bigger Picture The village I’ll be visiting is about four miles from the nearest tarmac road. There are no supermarkets, hotels, or industries. Families live off the land, bartering or selling their produce at local markets. Children often start working young to help support the household, and education is not always seen as a priority. The situation became even more urgent after the devastating 2015 earthquake (magnitude 7.8), which destroyed over 35,000 classrooms across Nepal. Although enrolment rates in school are high on paper, many children in remote areas drop out before completing primary education. Literacy rates remain low — in some rural areas, only 10% of people can read and write. What’s more, children from poorer families often face multiple layers of exclusion due to gender, disability, caste, religion, or language. This makes access to education even harder. What I’m Doing All the money raised will go directly to buying school uniforms. I will personally source them in Kathmandu and deliver them to the local village when I’m there in November — no middleperson, no admin fees. This isn’t just about donating — it’s about making a tangible, lasting difference to children’s lives. Uniforms open the door to education. Education opens the door to opportunity. I’ll also be visiting the local charity on the ground and seeing first-hand how the uniforms are distributed, and I’ll share updates, photos, and videos from the trip so you can see where your support goes. How You Can Help Donate whatever you can — even small amounts go a long way Share this page with friends, family, or on social media Follow my journey as I train, travel, and run the Buddhist marathon. Thank you for supporting this journey — both the physical one and the one that could change a child’s future. Thank you Aruna