Grade 6 – Leadership Development and Rock Climbing
On March 13th and 14th, 2025, The Borderlands facilitated a Leadership Development program at Hattiban as part of Lincoln School’s Grade 6 Service Nepal initiative. The core focus of the program was rock climbing combined with leadership development.
Over the course of two days, students engaged in a variety of fun and educational activities designed to strengthen their communication, leadership, teamwork, coordination, time management, and strategic execution skills. The program also fostered bonding among peers and helped boost their self-confidence.
Borderlands facilitators observed that participants thoroughly enjoyed the experience and acquired valuable skills that will support their day-to-day tasks and help them work more effectively as a team toward common goals.
Grade 11 –River Conservation Project with Rafting Expedition and Leadership Development
This year’s Grade 11 Service Nepal program at Lincoln School featured an impactful journey that combined river conservation research, a rafting expedition on the Sunkoshi River, and leadership development activities. The expedition took place from March 10th to 14th, 2025, and centered on the theme River Conservation Research, complemented by rafting, leadership training, and cyanotype photography.
The key objective of the conservation component was to assess and monitor the health of the Sunkoshi River using onsite testing tools such as the ENPHO kit and a multi-probe meter, along with laboratory analysis. A total of 22 participants, including 17 students and 5 teachers, took part in this enriching experience.
The program kicked off with leadership development activities, which included joint participation from students of Sukute School and Lincoln School. This was followed by a school visit, fostering cultural exchange and collaboration.
The rafting journey began at the Sunkoshi Beach Resort and Organic Farm in Sukute, which also served as the first data collection point for the river research. The river conservation activities were conducted in collaboration with the Nepal River Conservation Trust (NRCT). Over the course of the expedition, participants conducted onsite water testing and collected macroinvertebrate samples from ten different locations along the Sunkoshi River. These locations included: the rafting put-in site at Sukute, the confluence of Indrawati and Sunkoshi Rivers at Dolalghat, Khareghat, Chauri Khola, Roshi Khola confluence, Nepalthok, Mulkot at the rafting take-out point.
The collected water samples and macroinvertebrates were later analyzed in a laboratory to assess water quality, compare results to drinking water standards, and evaluate overall river health based on the presence of indicator species.
This years’ Service Nepal provided meaningful insights into the state of the river ecosystem. The leadership activities strengthened students’ teamwork, communication, and decision-making abilities. Participants also developed a solid understanding of river monitoring methods and the use of various tools and techniques for environmental research.
The program concluded with a reflective debriefing session by the banks of the Sunkoshi River. Looking ahead, continuing such experiential learning initiatives is vital for raising awareness and fostering responsibility toward the protection and conservation of our rivers.
Grade 12 – Leadership Development, Adventure and Photo Workshop
From March 10th to 15th, 2025, The Borderlands had the pleasure of hosting 22 students and 4 teachers from Lincoln School Nepal for their Service Nepal Week Trip. The journey was centered on three key themes: the Cash Crop Project, leadership development, and adventurous outdoor activities.
The trip began with a scenic departure from Kathmandu Valley, followed by a refreshing breakfast at the Sunkoshi Resort—an energizing start to the week’s adventure. From there, the group traveled to the Borderlands Resort in Sindhupalchowk, where the Service Nepal experience unfolded.
Upon arrival, students participated in tone-setting and team-building activities, joined by 21 students from Bachhaladevi School. This early interaction laid the groundwork for collaboration and shared learning throughout the week.
The Cash Crop Project was a collaborative initiative between Lincoln School, Borderlands Resort, and Bachhaladevi School. Students were divided into five inclusive teams comprising members from both schools. Together, they explored the fundamentals of cash crop farming through hands-on experiences in agroforestry. The project aimed to cultivate a sense of responsibility, innovation, and environmental stewardship among the participants. Students learned to:
- Understand how sustainable agricultural practices can support livelihoods and mitigate climate change.
- Develop entrepreneurial mindsets to tackle real-world agricultural and sustainability challenges.
- Bridge classroom knowledge with practical, hands-on learning in a “living lab” environment.
- Strengthen teamwork and problem-solving skills crucial for future leadership.
In addition to the agricultural component, students took part in a series of team-building exercises, a low rope course, and canyoning. These adventurous activities challenged them to push past their comfort zones, embrace personal growth, and develop resilience and confidence.
By bringing together students from Lincoln and Bachhaladevi schools in an agroforestry setting, the program planted seeds of environmental awareness, entrepreneurship, and long-term community transformation. This initiative not only provided meaningful learning experiences but also helped establish a sustainable model for agricultural education, youth leadership, and rural economic empowerment.
