A foundation set up by Um Hong-gil, who has climbed 16 peaks of 8,000 meters or higher in the Himalayas, has built its second school for children in Nepal.

The Um Hong Gil Human Foundation said Friday that it had completed the construction of the school in Trishuli, 95 km northwest of capital Kathmandu.

The residents in the poverty-stricken region are isolated from civilization and scrape a living by farming on narrow terraced fields.

The foundation worked on the construction of the school from July last year, with financial assistance from Lions Clubs of Korea District 354-D and the Korea International Cooperation Agency.

The region is located on rugged mountain terrain so it was impossible to use heavy construction equipment. 

The school is a two-storied building on a premise of 1,300 square meters. It has four classrooms, one computer room, a library, a playground, running water facilities and an infirmary. The tap water and infirmary are available to residents as well as students.

“It was education that helped Korea get out of poverty,” Um said.

“I hope that the school will produce graduates who will do good projects for Nepal.”

Lions Clubs of Korea District 354-D gave villagers 200 goats as gifts, while the Um foundation delivered stationery to about 180 students.

The foundation had built its first school in Nepal last year, in Panboche, a high-altitude region 4,060 meters above sea level. It plans to construct 14 more schools in the country.

(swchun@heraldcorp.com)