The Pavilions Himalayas is one of the Pavilions Resort Group, a luxury global hotel brand. The hotel works together with NGO Right4Children to bring sustainable development initiatives across the Pokhara region. Key outcomes from the 2024 annual report show their work has had huge reach, engaging Nepali students in education, vocational training and health programmes.
Pavilions Himalayas Sustainable Development Initiatives
The Pavilions Hotels Group is committed to sustainable partnership with community based organisations. Pavilions Himalayas partners with NGO Right4Children to support projects educating and training young people across Pokhara. The 2024 annual report reveals these initiatives benefitted around 18,500 Nepalis both directly and indirectly.
Douglas and Insuba Maclagan, Co-Founders of Right4Children and The Pavilions Himalayas, said: ‘One of the biggest achievements for R4C is our strength in networking and collaboration with our stakeholders at all levels, and as a result of these strong partnerships, we were able to punch above our weight, deliver quality and impactful services.’
Nurturing Extracurricular Engagement
The report found that over 3000 individuals entered extra-curricular activities, leadership training, health screenings and parental education. The 2024 Follow Up Support Project was one such initiative, launched to continue the success of the previous Child Friendly School Project. It empowered 12 community schools in the Gandaki Province with better facilities, teacher training and extracurricular activities.
Extracurricular activities were also encouraged in the Machhapuchchhre Municipality. Support from R4C helped get 862 students into arts, dance and sports. Furthermore, 38 community schools sent a total of 129 parents and staff members for leadership training, and almost 1000 for parental education sessions. A collaboration between Bryanston School and Meghraj basic school, in which UK students visited Nepal, focused on an exchange of ideas, particularly of extracurricular learning.
Strengthening School Infrastructure
The School Improvement for Quality Assurance and Enhancement in Education (SIQAEE) is another of the R4C projects. The initiative has built new classrooms, refurbished buildings and provided classroom furniture for six schools in the Nawalpur District. Early Childhood Development Programmes empowered 169 teachers with ICT lessons to help improve learning experiences. Additional learning support benefitted 145 pupils with predicted weak learning outcomes.
The FAB Hospitality School is another important education initiative to provide vocational training for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. 134 students gained specialised skills in cooking, housekeeping, baking and laundry. 50 young women in particular excelled in their chosen courses.
Protecting at Risk Communities
Protection from Risk and Assisting Young Girls and Women in Accessing Social Services (PRAYASS) is an initiative to support vulnerable communities. The Pavilions Himalayas annual report shows close to 3000 individuals received career guidance from PRAYASS. 228 at risk children took part in remedial classes, 188 in vocational training and 55 girls secured subsequent employment.
Such support helps to keep young people away from high risk labour and reduce the likelihood of trafficking and exploitation. The initiative intervenes in the Adult Entertainment Sector to rescue young people from massage parlours and dance bars across Pokhara. The establishment of the SHE Centre provided essential care and health check-ups to 105 young women and girls.
Health Care and Access to Water
The Pavilions Himalayas report details a total of 2042 individuals benefitted from health camps and childhood development classes. The SIQAEE project supported student health in four schools with the WASH initiative for clean water, and supplied six schools with sanitary materials. Further health initiatives provided dental camps and reproductive health training for almost 1500 students.
The Social Services (SUCCESS) project also made significant action across Pokhara to enhance health in the region. Three health camps screened 453 individuals, diagnosing suspected cervical cancer and critical injuries. Early Childhood Development initiatives provided nutrition advice to 89 children to support healthy eating habits. Bore well and filtration projects improved access to clean water in the region.
The Role of the Hotel Industry
The 2024 Pavilions Himalayas Report shows the widespread positive impact that the hotel industry can have by partnering with NGOs. The partnership with Right4Children helped support sustainable development initiatives across Pokhara and Nepal. The support of the hotel brand strengthened the impact and scope of the R4C. The success of this collaboration highlights the opportunity for such partnerships across the hotel industry.
Kristi Shresta, CEO of R4C shared, ‘We look back with pride on the efforts dedicated to improving the lives of many, especially children. 2024 highlighted our determination, devotion, and the fulfilment that drives our work. Creating opportunities and fostering hope for a better life requires dedication and unwavering commitment.’
A Positive Partnership
The partnership between Pavilions Himalayas and Right4Children has helped to strengthen health and education services across Pokhara and the surrounding regions. 18,500 Nepalis have benefitted from initiatives including health camps and improved school infrastructure. This success suggests an opportunity throughout the hotel industry for NGO partnerships and community engagement.
