The Pavilions Himalayas and charity partner Right4Children unveil positive impact on the Nepalese community
Nepalese farm retreat and its partner NGO support local community through provision of infrastructure, vocational training, stakeholder workshops, and job placements.
Committed to sustainable development, Nepalese eco-luxury resort The Pavilions Himalayas and its NGO arm Right4Children (R4C) have spent the past 10 years supporting charitable and community causes in the surrounding Pokhara area. The extent of their work in the past year has been revealed with the publication of the latest annual Impact Report from R4C. From stakeholder workshops to vocational training, The Pavilions Himalayas and R4C have once again made a significant difference to the lives of local people.
Douglas Maclagan, founder of The Pavilions Himalayas and R4C, said, “The Pavilions Himalayas was founded as a social business to drive and develop the community of Pokhara in a sustainable way. Via our ‘three Ws’, we provide sustainable Work to the village community; reinvest 50 percent of the resort’s net Wealth into life-changing opportunities for vulnerable children and young persons; and share Wisdom in the form of eco-friendly operational best practices shared with our guests, staff, and the tourism industry. We also educate community members in gardening, waste management, and the reduction of plastic use, all of which are paramount to the sustained progress of any community.”
Starting with the youngest in the society, in 2022, The Pavilions Himalayas and R4C channelled resources to improve the teaching environments of 11 schools and 1782 students in Pokhara and its surrounding areas through the provision of teaching and learning resources, as well as teacher training. Valuing holistic development for children, they also gave students opportunities for extra-curricular activities in sports, such as karate for girls to build their confidence and enable them to protect themselves, as well as performing arts and visual arts to expand creative horizons. In total over the past eight years, 76 child-friendly schools have been created in partnership with the government with 14,745 children benefitting from these services.
Embodying the three ‘W’s of The Pavilions Himalayas in action, the resort’s vocational training institute, the FAB Hospitality School, sponsored close to 170 youths in hospitality courses like housekeeping, production, and F&B in the past year and placed 70% of this year’s graduates in jobs. Through vocational training, The Pavilions Himalayas addressed the needs of the local labour market and provided graduates of the scheme with sustainable livelihoods.
To help close the gender gap and encourage women in the workforce, The Pavilions Himalayas and R4C worked extensively on empowering girls and young women in 2022 through vocational and stakeholder education. They provided market-driven vocational training to 740 young women between the ages 18 to 24 in traditionally male specialisms such as hospitality, security, excavator driving, trek guiding, computer and mobile phone repair, and more. The key to independent and sustainable livelihoods is creating accessibility to work placements, start-up support, and mentorship - the last piece of the puzzle for their success. Recognising the importance of changing mindsets to promote gender equality, they held policy workshops and training with educational stakeholders to emphasise the value of girls’ participation in technical occupations.
Dedicated to assisting the most vulnerable, The Pavilion Himalayas and R4C delivered health awareness sessions in family planning, sexual health, and more to girls and young women working in entertainment in Pokhara. They also supported the education of seven girls through the provision of tuition, supplies, and uniforms.
“The great work we have done was a result of our team developing innovative, low-cost but high-impact programmes, working closely with stakeholders in the community to address their needs. We would love our future guests to witness and contribute to the good work we do in Pokhara.” continued Maclagan.
Located in a lush forest valley against the backdrop of the majestic Annapurna Himalayan Mountain range, The Pavilions Himalayas are eco-sensitive luxury resorts founded to give back to the local community. The Pavilions Himalayas, The Farm, powers the entire resort and its 14 luxurious villas with renewable energy and fresh produce grown on its organic farm; while the eight tented villas of satellite sister, The Pavilions Himalayas Lakeview, deliver a definitive glamping experience combining the comfort and elegant luxury of a villa with the sense of adventure and wonder of camping in nature.
Lifetime Experience package
The Pavilions Himalayas offers a four-night Lifetime Experience package from USD865++ (approx. £680++ per person). Showcasing everything the resort and Pokhara have to offer, the package includes complimentary airport transfers and sees guests spending two nights in a Classic Suite at The Pavilions Himalayas, The Farm, and two nights at the Lake View Tented Villa at The Pavilions Himalayas, Lakeview, with full board.
Guests will also visit the resort’s organic farm for a hands-on farm work experience, join FAB Hospitality School culinary students for a cooking class to learn more about Nepalese ingredients and flavours, and be rejuvenated with a 30-minute signature Ayurvedic Nepalese massage per person.
Package highlights also include professional tours to the charming “happy village” of Khapaudi, the splendid Matepani Gumba Buddhist monastery with its chanting Lamas and historic carved friezes, the World Peace Pagoda - the area’s largest Buddhist pagoda, and the indigenous Gurung Village. Guests can also enjoy walks, hikes, and a kayak trip to see the breathtaking natural wonders of Pokhara. Valid for travel from 1 September 2023 – 31 December 2024, excluding 1 July – 31 August 2023. Subject to availability. For more information and reservations, please visit www.pavilionshotels.com/himalayas/thefarm or email reservations.himalayas@pavilionshotels.com
About The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts
Step into one of The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts' properties and experience luxury and immersive locales like no other. Every hotel is a sophisticated, private haven in which to relax, play or find adventure. Following an ethos that it's not just where guests want to go, but how they want to feel, The Pavilions is known for offering its signature Curated Journeys travel service to its guests. These innovative travel itineraries – curated by local insiders, unique to each property and designed to encompass an emotive experience, from romance to adventure to feeling good – put the bespoke into a luxury holiday. Whether the foodie-themed "Like a Chef" journey in Rome, a romantic "Just the Two of Us" adventure in Thailand, or the "Like a Boss" Madrid itinerary that turns business travel on its head, each Curated Journey connects guests with a range of experts in each of its destinations whose passion and talents open the door to unique experiences.
Headquartered in Hong Kong, The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts is one of the fastest-growing boutique hotel groups in the region. With their boutique size and thoughtful design philosophy, The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts offer secluded spaces with attentive service, even in the busiest of cities. The hotels are distinctly individual and unique, yet all are underpinned by the core values of building meaningful connections in unrivalled locations, a mindful respect for privacy and service beyond expectations.
The group owns, manages and offers franchise of its brand across the globe.
The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts' portfolio currently comprises:
Asia
The Pavilions Anambas
The Pavilions Himalayas, The Farm
The Pavilions Himalayas, Lakeview
The Pavilions El Nido, Palawan Island
Europe
The Pavilions Rome, The First Arte
The Pavilions Rome, The First Dolce
The Pavilions Rome, The First Musica
The Pavilions Amsterdam, The Toren
For more information about The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts, please visit pavilionshotels.com and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About Right4Children
Right4Children (R4C) is a Pokhara-based NGO dedicated to improving the lives and living standards of disadvantaged children, youth, and their families. Established in January 2013, R4C’s actions are oriented towards assisting such children and young people, through the programs and services they feel are RIGHT for them, to make their hopes and dreams come true.
