HELP - Himalayan Education Lifeline Programme
Why choose HELP - Himalayan Education Lifeline Programme?
Welcome to the Himalayan Education Lifeline Programme, or HELP for short. We are a limited company registered as a charity (No. 1117646) with the Charity Commission of England and Wales. Jim Coleman, the founder of HELP, was a UNDP volunteer in Nepal from 1968 to 1970, and maintained his connections with that wonderful country ever since. He established HELP in 2002 as a way of doing something ...
Welcome to the Himalayan Education Lifeline Programme, or HELP for short. We are a limited company registered as a charity (No. 1117646) with the Charity Commission of England and Wales. Jim Coleman, the founder of HELP, was a UNDP volunteer in Nepal from 1968 to 1970, and maintained his connections with that wonderful country ever since. He established HELP in 2002 as a way of doing something positive for the people of Nepal, and the wider Himalayas, who mean so much to him. Much of Jim's subsequent career was in education, and he travelled extensively with the British Council. It seemed that the most appropriate contribution he could make, as he approached retirement, would be to establish a non-profit NGO aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for village people in the Hima...
HELP - Himalayan Education Lifeline Programme Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
Authentic experience I'll never forget
April 09, 2014by: Bec OBrien - LondonThe school was situated near Kalimpong, in a very rural area that felt like a million miles away from the groundhog day of Western life. I had such amazing time - full of rich experiences that have given me perspective and appreciation of my life today. Can't recommend highly enough.
An Ethereal Experience In The Mountains...
April 09, 2014by: AbeMonet - TorontoIt really was a life-altering experience. I was considering research as a career choice before this but I am certain I want to teach for the rest of my life because of this one experience. It certainly was a well-knit community and I grew to know and love everyone in the little village of Spituk in the high mountains of Ladakh, India. The students were little novice monks who were a treat to teach and the administration was more than welcoming and made me feel so comfortable. The home-stay experience with the local family made me not miss my mum/dad back home because they treated me like their own son. And the whole experience was just something I continue to miss to this day.
Living in Ladakh
April 09, 2014by: Lehla - KentI had a wonderful experience living in Ladakh and teaching at a school there. It wasn't always easy, but some of the best things ever done do not come easily. I did have a very fulfilling experience, not just teaching, but living in a peaceful place where I was in a close knit community, where a Western woman is accepted. I have travelled a lot, and in many parts of India too. Ladakh is a place where the conservatisms that exist elsewhere are not so rigidly applied. A very restful experience where I made good friendships. I would highly recommend it.
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Interviews
Read interviews from alumni or staff

Ben Coleman
Interviewed in 2019
Ben has been part of the HELP family since its beginning. He is the creator of the HELP website, which was developed in 2002, and became more involved...

Ben Coleman
Interviewed in 2019
What inspired you to travel abroad?
As creator of HELP's website in 2002, I was involved in the initial development steps, so in a sense I have always been part of the HELP team. Though not a member of the HELP Board, I helped with editing and tweaking the website, and general IT troubleshooting. I decided to become more involved in 2014, as managing all the aspects of the programme had become too much work for one person.

Paul Lessner
Participated in 2017
Paul is a teacher in Minnesota, USA with 20+ years of teaching experience in both elementary and middle school. When he’s not working, he spends a lot...

Paul Lessner
Participated in 2017
I've worked as a middle school teacher for years and have always wanted to do something meaningful with my summer breaks. I have worked with Himalayan Education Lifeline Program two times now—in 2015 & 2017—and I am so pleased with their program. I may volunteer with them again in the future.

Barbara Porter
Interviewed in 2018
Barbara Porter has had a long career in education, beginning with 16 years as a schoolteacher. Following that, she worked for the University of Edinbu...

Barbara Porter
Interviewed in 2018
What inspired you to travel abroad?
What inspired you to join the team at the Himalayan Education Lifeline Programme (HELP)?