In Milache village, off the trail towards the Annapurna base camp of Nepal, a group of friends have come together to set up a learning space with the local communities to encourage literacy among their children.
The ABC idea was sparked by one trekker’s experience of being constantly asked for chocolates by the children. Concerned for their future, he and his friends hope to transform the young lives belonging to the lowest caste by inspiring them to value knowledge and develop a reading habit. Thus, a learning space has been set-up, where children will get their well-deserved treats when they read and learn.
Annually, 70,000 trekkers pass by the region, which lends sustainability to the project. Although ABC will periodically depend on their goodwill in the donation of books, chocolates and even a little time; local volunteers and the community will actively participate in and manage the learning space. This concept creates an exciting educational opportunity for children and local volunteers alike as more tools will be curated as the need arises to make the space alive and relevant to the community.
By air, on road, off road, by foot. Our journey to the ABC learning space at Milache village, Nepal.
Painting the façade.
Cleaning, repairing, preparing and stocking the library. The shelfs, books and stools were hand carried to the village.
A Book / Chocolate, please? You may leave your chocolates or books at the ABC learning space. The children will also be delighted to learn English or any other skills from you. It takes more than a village to raise a child, so we hope that your giving will help them to build character. Dhanyabad!
The children of Kumrung, Malache enjoying the library.
Launched by KongsiKL, the Klang River Festival (KRF) 2022 is an annual event aimed at sparking public dialogue on heritage, culture, and identity. Originally conceived as a farewell to KongsiKL’s previous lease, the festival sought to highlight the river’s role in the city, raise awareness about conservation, climate change, and cultural preservation, and encourage more sustainable urban lifestyles. Realising the event’s potential, KRF evolved into an ongoing tradition to honor the river, an essential yet often overlooked part of the city.
KRF serves as an open platform that brings together individuals, NGOs, and the private sector to foster socio-ecological sustainability. The festival’s core mission is to reconnect people with the river and celebrate its significance.
Focused on Kuala Lumpur, a city founded at the confluence of two rivers, KRF works to raise awareness of the river’s importance through alternative lifestyles and the innovative use of public spaces. By transforming the Klang River Valley into a more livable space, KRF encourages people to rediscover their connection to the river, through events held in the city’s iconic heritage buildings.The festival comprises:
· book documentation
· dialogue sessions with scholars, researchers and members of public
· arts performances
· workshops
· creative installations
· curated markets
· heritage walks
· film screenings
The 2023 Klang River Festival aimed to reconnect Kuala Lumpur’s residents with the Klang River, a connection often overshadowed by urbanisation. Running for 17 days from September 9th, the festival featured a diverse program across 11 venues along the river.
Through exhibitions, talks, film screenings, workshops, performances, and guided tours, the festival delved into the river’s history, ecology, and cultural significance. Focusing on themes of ecology, community, and culture, the event sought to raise awareness of the river's importance and inspire a renewed bond with this vital natural and cultural resource.
Presented by KongsiKL and supported by EXSIM, the Klang River Festival returns with a transformative theme, "Act!vate," aiming to spark environmental awareness and inspire collective action to reconnect with nature and revitalise the Klang River.
The festival featured a diverse program spanning from September to December 2024, including educational initiatives, an international exchange on riverine reactivation, stakeholder meetings, alignments, and public writing workshops. It culminated in a grand finale from November 29 to December 1, with workshops, activities, and events fostering community-driven efforts in environmental conservation.
