Bandipur: A Journey Beyond Borders

In 2023, I travelled to Bandipur, Nepal, for the inauguration of a sister school funded by our high-school charity team. We weren’t just building toilets and sinks, but we were building trust, dignity, and access.

That trip was transformative. Seeing how hygiene infrastructure directly affected attendance rates, especially for girls, gave me tangible insight into development policy and educational equity. I realised that change doesn’t always begin with sweeping legislation; sometimes it starts with clean water and safe spaces.

Bandipur also honed my cross-cultural leadership and project management skills. Collaborating with local officials, students, and NGOs required diplomacy and adaptability. It reminded me that effective leadership is collaborative but not prescriptive.

When I left Bandipur, I didn’t just carry memories of mountains and smiles. I carried a new conviction: that service, when done right, transcends geography.