KarmaTreks and Adventures with Purpose - Nepal

Honouring Our Fallen Heroes of the Himalayas

It is with profound sadness that we mourn the tragic loss of Nepal's legendary mountaineers in the devastating avalanche on Broad Peak, Pakistan.

These courageous climbers dedicated their lives to the mountains they loved, inspiring millions around the world through their extraordinary courage, resilience, humility, and unwavering spirit.

Among them was Nirmal "Nims" Purja, whose remarkable achievements transformed the world of mountaineering and inspired countless dreamers to believe that no summit is beyond reach. Alongside him, Pur Bahadur Gurung (Yukta), Nima Sherpa, Kili Pemba Sherpa (Kili), Gyalu Sherpa, and Nawang Thindu Sherpa leave behind a legacy that will forever be etched into the history of the Himalayas.

On behalf of the entire KarmaFlights Foundation Nepal family, we extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families, friends, teammates, and the global mountaineering community.

Their footprints may have ended on the mountains, but their legacy will continue to guide generations of climbers and inspire all who dare to dream beyond the impossible.

May their souls rest in eternal peace, and may their families find strength and comfort during this time of immense grief.

Rest in Peace, our Himalayan heroes.

On the occasion of Khir Khane Din (Saun 15), the KarmaFlights Foundation Nepal family held a board meeting with a different vibe at Man Mandir, Pokhara-11—a place where love, peace, and spirituality come alive.

Hosted by Rabindra Makaju, patron of Man Mandir and author of the book Man Mandir, the gathering was filled with meaningful conversations alongside our advisors and Board of Directors.

We were honoured to be welcomed by Bishnu Bikram GS, the founder and creator of Man Mandir, who shared the inspiring story behind this beautiful place, guided us on a tour, and presented us with books as gifts.

A special moment of the day was felicitating Anjel Basyal, Vice President of the Pokhara Astronomical Society, for earning a 100% scholarship to pursue her Ph.D. in Astrophysics in Switzerland.

We also had an honour to have our advisors Shova lal dhital & Dr Saroj pokharel in the meeting.

As you give, so shall you receive.

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧 𝟏𝟓 – 𝐊𝐡𝐢𝐫 𝐊𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐧!

On this special day, we celebrate the sweetness of tradition, the strength of community, and the joy of sharing with our loved ones.

May this day bring happiness, good health, peace, and prosperity to every home. As we enjoy this cherished Nepali tradition, let it also remind us that the greatest sweetness comes from kindness, compassion, and supporting one another.

Wishing everyone a joyful and blessed Shrawan 15 💚

Meet Our KarmaCrew | Episode 6
Renuka Karki
HR | Treasurer | Booking Officer, KarmaTreks

Joining KarmaFlights in 2013 has been one of the most meaningful decisions of my life. When I first became part of the team, I was a quiet, shy, and hesitant young woman who was constantly afraid of making mistakes. Looking back today, I can hardly believe how much this journey has transformed me—not only as a professional but also as a person.

As the years passed, my responsibilities continued to grow. Today, I look after KarmaFlights' HR, finance, client support, and the bookings of KarmaTreks' trekking and travel services. I also have the privilege of representing KarmaTreks in the Gandaki Provincial Committee of TAAN. Every new responsibility has challenged me to step beyond my comfort zone, helping me build confidence, strengthen my communication and organizational skills, and develop the patience, empathy, and problem-solving mindset that every community worker needs.

Alongside my professional journey, I completed my Master's Degree in Business Administration with a First Division. Balancing my studies with work was not always easy, but the encouragement and opportunities I received through KarmaFlights inspired me to keep moving forward.

The most rewarding part of my journey has been witnessing the impact of KarmaFlights' social initiatives. Through our work in education, healthcare, women's empowerment, and community development, I have met extraordinary people whose resilience, kindness, and determination continue to inspire me every single day. I can't thank enough to wonderful mentors namely Sophie Ward, Isabella Messenger and Dr. Karin Sudmeier. More names to take . Their stories remind me that even small acts of service can leave lasting footprints in someone's life.

KarmaFlights has given me far more than a career. It has given me the confidence to believe in myself, the courage to embrace every challenge, and the opportunity to grow into a person I never imagined I could become.

If there is one lesson this journey has taught me, it is this: true success is never measured by the titles we hold or the responsibilities we carry. It is measured by the lives we touch, the hope we inspire, and the positive difference we leave in the hearts of others. Knowing that my work can bring a smile to someone's face, create opportunities for others, and offer hope for a brighter tomorrow is the greatest achievement I could ever ask for.

MEET YOUR KARMACREW | Episode 5
Featuring Karma Sahi Gharti Magar: GESA Project Officer | Poet | Writer | Community Changemaker

Good Karma: You have always been a poet, a writer, a journalist, and an editor. What brought you to GESA?*

Karmasahi: Hi! My name is Karmasahi and I originally came from Rukum (East), a historical place called 'Maikot'. Since 2025, I have been working as a GESA Project Officer at KarmaFligts .This journey has given me a different purpose than just writing.

Through the GESA programme, I facilitate awareness sessions for students on human rights, gender equality, sexuality, adolescent development, gender-based violence, and other related issues. These sessions have directly benefited many adolescents. The project has also given me opportunities to work in schools, communities, and health institutions, helping challenge traditional mindsets and encouraging open conversations about issues we often hesitate to discuss.

Last year, we conducted these programmes in renowned schools in Pokhara, as well as in schools, communities, and health institutions across Baglung and Rukum East. The greatest beneficiaries have been young people.

Good Karma : Was this work familiar to you?

Karma Sahi: Not at all. Although I had already established myself as a writer, literary enthusiast, journalist, and editor, working in this project was a completely new experience. Our Programme Director Prem and I Am Woman Project believed in me and entrusted me with this responsibility. It became my duty to honour that trust.

So I committed myself to learning. I studied the subjects in depth and travelled alone to Rukum East to facilitate sessions and strengthen my confidence. Today, I can stand before any audience and facilitate these sessions with confidence. At the same time, I continue searching for new ways to make every session more engaging, participatory, and meaningful for students.

Happy Guru Purnima | Honouring the Light of Wisdom

Long before the modern world began celebrating Teachers' Day, the Oriental civilizations dedicated a full moon to the eternal bond between the Guru and the Shishya—the teacher and the learner.

A Guru is more than one who teaches. A Guru awakens, inspires, and illuminates. Knowledge informs the mind; wisdom transforms the soul. The word Guru splits into Gu (darkness) and Ru (light), representing one who removes ignorance with wisdom.

Today, on the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima, we bow in gratitude to every teacher, mentor, guide, parent, and lifelong learner who has kindled the light of knowledge in humanity.

गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः । Gurur Brahmaa Gurur Viṣṇuḥ, Gurur Devo Maheśvaraḥ
गुरुः साक्षात् परब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥Guruḥ Saakṣhaat Parabrahmaa, Tasmai Śrī Gurave Namaḥ.
Translation:
The Guru is Brahma, the Guru is Vishnu, the Guru is Maheshwara (Shiva); the Guru is truly the Supreme Reality. To that revered Guru, I offer my deepest salutations.

May we never cease to learn, to question, and to pass forward the gift of wisdom.

Happy Guru Purnima to all the great teachers of the world.

💻 Featuring KarmaCrew | Episode 4

Meet our ICT Officer, Subash Paudel!

KFN: Subash, when people hear "ICT Officer," they often imagine someone surrounded by computers and cables. But who is the person behind the screen?
Subash: I am a graduate of B.Sc. CSIT from Tribhuvan University, but I have come to realize that technology is never really about machines. It is about people. It is about opening doors that were once closed and creating opportunities where there were none. Joining KarmaFlights gave me the privilege of using what I had learned, not merely to build systems, but to help build futures.

KFN: What made KarmaFlights the place where you wanted to invest your knowledge?
Subash: Because here, technology has a heartbeat. Every computer lab we establish, every teacher we train, and every student who touches a computer for the first time reminds me that innovation is meaningful only when it reaches those who have waited the longest for opportunity. At KarmaFlights, technology is not an end in itself—it is a bridge between possibility and purpose.

KFN: What does your journey look like on an ordinary day?
Subash: There is rarely an ordinary day. One day I may be installing computers in a mountain school; another day I may be training teachers, solving technical challenges, or strengthening the digital systems that keep our organization moving forward. Yet the most memorable moments are often the simplest—a child's smile as curiosity replaces uncertainty, or a teacher discovering the confidence to embrace new ways of learning. Those moments remind me that digital transformation begins not with devices, but with people.

KFN: Your work seems to extend far beyond ICT, doesn’t it?
Subash: That is the beauty of KarmaCrew. Titles may define our responsibilities, but they never limit our service. Whether distributing winter jackets, supporting scholarship students, organizing health initiatives, participating in Astro Camps, or working alongside communities, we all carry the same mission. Technology is simply one of the many languages through which we serve.

KFN: If you could change one thing through technology, what would it be?
Subash: I would change the geography of opportunity. No child should inherit fewer dreams simply because they were born in a remote village. I dream of a Nepal where every school has access to digital learning, every teacher feels confident with technology, and every child grows up believing that the future belongs to them as much as to anyone else.
I also dream of a KarmaFlights that continues to grow as a digitally empowered organization—where innovation strengthens transparency, data strengthens decisions, and technology allows us to reach more communities with greater compassion and efficiency. Because technology should never widen the distance between people; it should shorten it.

KFN: Looking back on your journey, who would you like to thank?
Subash: Every journey is shaped by those who choose to believe in us before we fully believe in ourselves. I remain deeply grateful to Mr. Prem Bahadur Kunwar for his trust, mentorship, and constant encouragement. My sincere appreciation also goes to my colleagues, our partners, volunteers, donors, schools, and the communities who continue to teach me that meaningful change is always a shared endeavor.

One Last Question...

KFN: What does it mean to you being part of the KarmaFlights team member?
Subash: It means choosing purpose over comfort.
It means believing that every computer lab we build is an invitation to dream, every teacher we empower is a catalyst for generations, and every child we inspire is a reminder that hope is still our greatest innovation.

To me, being part of KarmaCrew is not simply a profession.
It is a promise—
that knowledge must be shared,
that technology must be humane,
and that every opportunity we create today becomes someone else's tomorrow.

FEATURING KARMA CREW | Episode 3

Why am I smiling with confidence today?
Because four years ago, I was the quiet girl who was afraid to speak, unsure of myself, and starting my very first job at KarmaFlights Foundation Nepal.
I wondered, "Will I be able to do this?"
Today, I confidently manage travel bookings, coordinate adventure activities, communicate with guests, and support our daily office operations. Along the way, I've learned office management, Nepali typing, and, most importantly, I've learned to believe in myself.
The greatest gift KarmaFlights has given me isn't just new skills—it's the confidence to grow and the trust of a team that believed in me before I believed in myself.
I know my journey is far from over. There is still so much to learn, and I'm excited for every new challenge ahead.

I'm Srijana Thapa, and this is my Karma Crew story.

If my journey inspires you, leave me a word of encouragement below. Your support motivates young professionals like me to keep growing.

Putting Ghachowk on the Map – Together for Conservation, Community and Sustainable Tourism

Today, the KarmaFlights Foundation Nepal team proudly installed new directional and information boards leading visitors to the Jatayu Restaurant and Cattle Care Centre in Ghachowk. As a signature KarmaFlights initiative, these boards are designed to bring the Ghachowk Vulture Safe Feeding Site (VSFS) into the mainstream as one of Pokhara's emerging destinations for eco-tourism, conservation learning and community engagement.

The newly installed boards can now be found near Gaurishankar Campus, Melbot (Hemja) and at Bhalabot, Ghachowk, making it easier for visitors, researchers, students and nature enthusiasts to discover this unique conservation site. More importantly, they showcase how like-minded organisations, local communities and conservation leaders can come together with a shared vision to protect nature while creating sustainable opportunities for future generations.

The visit was also a wonderful opportunity to connect with passionate local leaders and conservation champions, especially visionary conservationist Rabilal Pokharel, along with the dedicated Pokharel trio—Shanti Raman Pokharel, Kranti Raman Pokharel and Keshab Pokharel. We were equally honoured to meet Rajaram Paudel, former Presidents of the Centre Management Committee, and the current Chairperson, Amrit Thakuri, whose continued leadership continues to strengthen this important community initiative.

A special appreciation goes to the secretary Manish Pokgarel, whose tireless efforts and attention to detail ensure that every initiative is delivered with excellence—the true spirit of EWOP (Everything Works Out Perfectly).

At KarmaFlights Foundation Nepal, we believe that lasting impact is created through collaboration. By empowering the local Conservation Management Committee and working alongside like-minded partners, we are contributing to better welfare for rescued and protected cattle, strengthening vulture conservation, and transforming Ghachowk into a model destination where conservation, education, community development and responsible tourism flourish together.

Our good Karma continues. Together, we are proving that when communities and organisations unite for conservation, nature and people both thrive.

Vulture Restaurant ghachok American Eagle Foundation Pokhara Bird Society Bird Conservation Nepal NTNC ACAP Lomanthang fans Manish Pokharel Rajaram Poudel Kranti Raman Pokhrel