Project Red Panda

March 12th, 2025 – Project Update

We are excited to share an update on our ongoing initiatives at the Panckakanya village school in Mangsima, Nepal, where we are working with 114 students to improve their learning environment and overall well-being.

In rural and underprivileged regions like Mangsima, children often face significant challenges in their education, including limited access to quality infrastructure, resources, and stimulating learning environments. Studies have shown that students in low-resource settings are more vulnerable to educational disengagement when their schools feel neglected or uninspiring. That’s why this initiative is more than just aesthetics—it’s about fostering pride, motivation, and a sense of value in these students’ education.

We’re focusing on three key projects to create a more welcoming, inspiring, and engaging school environment:

Planned Initiatives and Their Benefits

1. Repainting the School (Estimated Cost: $2,000)

A fresh coat of paint can completely transform the atmosphere of a school, making it feel vibrant, well-maintained, and inviting—essential for students who may not have access to well-equipped learning spaces at home.

• Why it matters: Studies indicate that the physical condition of a school directly affects student motivation, engagement, and even academic performance (Baker & Bernstein, 2012).

• A study on educational aesthetics found that improving the visual environment of a school increases student happiness and psychological well-being (ResearchGate, 2023).

2. Student-Designed Mural

Giving students a chance to create and design their own mural fosters a sense of pride and ownership over their school, encouraging them to connect with their learning space in a more personal way.

• Why it matters: Research on student-led creative projects shows that participatory art improves mental health, self-esteem, and a sense of community (Frontiers in Psychology, 2021).

• Art in schools has also been shown to reduce stress and anxiety in children, particularly in underprivileged communities where they may not have access to creative outlets at home (PubMed, 2022).

3. Adding Trees, Flowers, and Plants (Estimated Cost: $1,000)

Green spaces in schools increase focus, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being—especially in rural areas where educational environments are often stark and minimal.

• Why it matters: Studies show that green schoolyards improve cognitive function and attention spans in children, particularly in disadvantaged communities (Nature, 2019).

• A systematic review found that gardening programs in schools lead to improved mental health, social interactions, and academic performance (BMC Public Health, 2016).

Why This Matters for Underprivileged Students

For children growing up in low-income, rural communities, education is one of the few pathways to a brighter future. However, when schools feel neglected, students can internalize that neglect, leading to lower attendance rates, decreased motivation, and a weaker belief in their own potential.

By investing in aesthetic and environmental improvements, we are sending a powerful message to these children:

Creating a vibrant, beautiful school environment can lead to:

✔ Higher student attendance and engagement

✔ Improved academic performance

✔ Greater emotional and psychological well-being

Total Estimated Cost: $3,000

How You Can Help

If you’d like to support this next chapter of Project Red Panda, every donation helps us bring these projects to life. Your contribution isn’t just funding supplies—it’s helping create a more hopeful and inspiring future for children who deserve every opportunity to thrive.

Thank you for continuing to believe in and support these incredible kids.

With gratitude,

Rebecca & Tenjing

Co-Founders, Project Red Panda

This winter, we’re assisting the beautiful regions of Manang & Gaighat, where children live with very limited resources in challenging conditions. Gaighat is located in the southern region of Nepal. In Manang, families come from western Nepal as migratory workers—building roads, herding sheep or working in mountain lodges. We’re providing warm clothes, blankets, gloves and boots for these families, which will be a huge help to keep them safe in the harsh mountain cold. Manang, at 3,000 meters, is Tenjing's favorite area to ride and explore, and after 15 years of discovering new trails there, he's honored to support its people in any way he can.

This project will also provides bicycles to children of these regions! With this, Tenjing will offer training & education to the children through mentorship initiatives. Nepal's landscape offers opportunity for growth in sports tourism. By teaching responsibility, safety & preparation around trekking & hiking, Tenjing can offer more opportunity to Nepal's younger generations as he continues his mountain bike trek through Nepal. (Follow Tenjing's journey here: Tenjing's Instagram). Giving the youth of these regions more awareness of resources & opportunities available, Project Red Panda's impact can have long-lasting effects.

Incorporating bikes and mentorship programs into remote villages of Nepal can have a transformative impact on these communities. Bicycles provide a sustainable and accessible means of transportation, enabling children to reach schools, families to access essential services, and small-scale farmers to transport goods to local markets. For many, bikes bridge the gap between isolation and opportunity, promoting mobility and reducing the time spent on foot across rugged terrains. Alongside this, mentorship programs offer valuable guidance and support, equipping young people with the skills, knowledge and confidence to improve their lives and uplift their communities. Mentors can foster aspirations, encourage education and empower youth to create innovative solutions to local challenges, ultimately fostering a generation that values both self-reliance and community support. Together, bikes and mentorship programs enhance education, improve economic prospects and strengthen social bonds, creating a cycle of positive change in Nepal’s remote villages.

This December, after funds are received and supplies are purchased, Tenjing will return to Manang & Gaighat to deliver everything! Your support will help bring warmth, comfort & opportunity to these families facing the bitter mountain chill.

Overview of Goal

Tenjing's Dedicated Trek Route

Phase One: Kathmandu to Gosaikunda to Tamang Heritage to Ruby Valley and Back

Route Overview:

Tenjing is covering four regions across Nepal—Kathmandu, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, and Dhading—by mountain bike, traveling through rugged mountainous trails and the countryside.

• Starting Point: Kathmandu

• End Point: Kathmandu (bike route)

• Starting Date: October 22, 2024

• Estimated Completion: November 1, 2024

Progress Update:

As of October 27, Tenjing has reached Thulosyabru, Rasuwa, at an elevation of 2,200 meters, covering a distance of 132.11 km with an elevation gain of 5,927 meters. Tomorrow, he’ll begin the journey through the Tamang Heritage trail.

The exact total distance remains unknown, but it’s expected to exceed 250 km due to the remote and uncharted areas along the route. The lack of accurate maps adds to the adventure and challenge.

Stay tuned for updates on Phase Two—the next chapter of Tenjing’s bike journey!

December 18, 2024 Project Update:

After reconnecting with the Laliguras School in Manang, we learned that the school is temporarily closed and will reopen in February 2025. Many of the families and children, who are migratory workers, have returned to different parts of Nepal. Once they’re back, we’ll deliver the supplies and meet the kids and their families in person.

In the meantime, we’ve shifted our focus to the Gaighat program. We’re collaborating with locals to identify children in need of bicycles, warm clothes, and blankets. These essential resources will bring immediate relief and opportunities to families facing tough conditions.

January 22, 2025 Project Update:

Thanks to your incredible generosity, we have reached our initial goal of $5,000! This milestone has already allowed us to provide vital resources to children in Nepal, and we couldn’t have done it without your support.

However, the need is still great, and we are inspired to do even more. That’s why we are increasing our goal to $10,000 to expand our mission and bring even greater opportunities to these underserved communities. Here’s how your contributions will make a difference in this next phase:

• Proper Clothing and School Supplies: Many children in these communities lack basic necessities. We aim to provide warm clothing and essential school supplies to ensure they can attend school comfortably and focus on their education.

• At Least 20 More Bicycles for Students: Many children face long and difficult journeys to school. With additional bicycles, we can help more students access education safely and efficiently, giving them the tools to succeed.

• Sustainable Mentorship Program: We are working to establish a mentorship program that empowers children by teaching them how to maximize the resources they receive, including bicycles, and providing guidance on personal growth and opportunities for their future.

• Support for Sports, Arts, and Music Programs: With additional funding, we aim to provide schools with equipment to enhance sports, arts, and eventually even music programs, giving children the opportunity to explore their passions and develop their talents.

• Child Sponsorship Program: We’re excited to introduce a sponsorship program in 2025, which will allow individuals to offer necessary essentials and more to show their support to an individual child living in an underserved community. Sponsors can directly support a child’s education and well-being while witnessing the profound impact of their generosity through quarterly email updates including picture and a message from their sponsored child.

Every dollar you contribute helps us take another step toward these goals. Together, we can create brighter futures for the children of Nepal. Thank you for believing in this mission and for continuing to support Project Red Panda. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Introducing Bicycle Mentorship Programs in Nepal

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of mentorship programs in 2025! These programs will empower a small group of underprivileged youth who show exceptional potential in cycling. Funded by Project Red Panda, the camp will give these children access to professional coaching, essential life skills and opportunities that could transform their futures with the bikes provided to them by PRP.

As of now, the camp will be held in Phaplu (Lower Everest) and will include:

• Bike skills training

• Trail building and maintenance

• First aid education

• Yoga and mindfulness practices

• Sustainability training, including Leave No Trace principles

This initial program will benefit a small group of students, but we envision a future where this initiative grows and impacts many more young lives across Nepal. By starting small, we can build a foundation for excellence and ensure these young participants return to their communities as leaders, inspiring others and sharing what they’ve learned.

The Broader Impact

This program isn’t just about cycling—it’s about creating a ripple effect of positive change. These young cyclists will bring new skills and experiences to their local communities, encouraging collaboration, environmental stewardship, and a focus on physical and mental well-being. By combining sport, education, and sustainability, the camp has the potential to uplift entire villages, fostering hope and opportunity in some of Nepal’s most underserved areas.

This is just the beginning of what’s possible. With your support, we can grow this initiative, expand our outreach, and continue to make a lasting difference.

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Every donation, share, and word of encouragement helps us move closer to our mission. Together, we’re building brighter futures—one child, one village, and one step at a time.

About Tenjing Gurung

"I’m a professional mountain biker and guide from Nepal, inspired by the towering peaks of my homeland. I come from the eastern region, near the world’s fifth-highest mountain, and it’s these mountains that have shaped who I am and what I value.

Growing up in Nepal wasn’t easy. Many people face challenges meeting basic needs like warm clothes, shoes, and school supplies. I remember receiving new clothes from foreign visitors as a child—it was one of the happiest days of my life and taught me the impact of kindness. Now, at 33, I fully understand the joy of giving back. For the past few years, you all have joined us in supporting winter fundraisers to provide much-needed warmth to children and families in Nepal. Together, we’ve made a real impact with the “Warm Clothes for the Children of Nepal” initiative, and I hope to keep this going for a long time."

Fundraising Support

Hi! I’m Becca, and I met Tenjing in 2019 while we were both working for a nonprofit in Kathmandu, Nepal. We quickly connected over our shared love for adventure & dedication to helping those in need. Over the years, I've helped Tenjing raise funds from the United States to bring essential support to communities & schools in Nepal’s remote areas. This winter, I am so excited to see the mission grow with mentorship initiatives & promotion of healthy lifestyles to the youth of Nepal.

As a child, my family faced financial hardships, and I was also able to experience a stranger's generosity as Tenjing did. That experience showed me there are others looking to help those less fortunate, and the power of genuine kindness can change lives & shift perspectives. I feel so fortunate to continue this work for the people of Nepal with Tenjing and with all of you.

Take care & thank you for your support!