fundraiser for the school

In the quiet folds of West Sikkim, tucked away from the tourist trails of Pelling, lies a small mountain village called Sardong, Lungzik. The world doesn’t know much about this place. No postcards are sold here. No Instagram spots. Just mist, pine trees, prayer flags fluttering in the breeze—and a tiny school built on belief.

This is the story of Lakpa Dawa Sherpa.

Dawa used to be a mountain guide. For years, he walked the wildest trails of Sikkim—guiding trekkers from around the world to the icy beauty of Goechela and beyond. He made good money. Life was free. But something kept tugging at his heart—something quieter than adventure, but somehow deeper.

Back in his village, his wife Hangma was teaching at a small school named Grace Academy. One day in 2019, Dawa decided to pause his treks and join her—just to see what would happen if he tried to run the school full-time. So he bought the school. One year turned into seven. And he never looked back.

Today, Dawa, Hangma, and their 15-month-old daughter Elva live in a small cottage that doubles as a hostel for 21 children, aged as young as 4. These are children of farmers, daily-wage workers, and single mothers from remote parts of Sikkim—sent to Grace Academy because their parents work tirelessly elsewhere, hoping their kids can grow up to have choices they never had.

The school itself is small—just 80 students from nursery to class 5. Only 6 teachers. One room even teaches two grades together. But the place breathes love. You can feel it in the way Dawa talks to the children. You can see it in how he fixes broken benches himself. And you know it when you learn that he has waived fees for several students—not because he can afford to, but because he believes no child should miss education because of money.

Dawa doesn’t run this school to make a living. He makes a life out of it.

---

## But this dream is still incomplete.

When I visited Grace Academy as a volunteer teacher for a month, I saw the magic. But I also saw the cracks:

There’s *no computer lab**.

The *library is a single shelf** with torn books.

* Class 4 and 5 share a room because there’s no space.

* playground ? . No swings. No slide. No sports equipment to play during the recess.

* Whiteboards are too small, lights too dim.

* Some benches are broken, and the rest too small.

There’s *no water filter**

Children who need more help—those with *attention challenges**—have no access to audiovisual learning. A projector or even a TV could change everything for them.

* And most urgently: a better hostel space—with table lights, separate sleeping and study areas, and room to breathe, play, and grow.

---

## This is where you come in.

I'm starting a fundraising campaign with a goal of ₹10,00,000 to help Grace Academy become the school these kids deserve—not just a place to study, but a place to grow.

And to bring you closer to this story, I’m launching a video series documenting my time teaching at Grace Academy—the laughter, the chaos, the meals, the dreams, and the lessons I learned from them.

This isn’t charity. This is a community.

Every rupee you contribute goes directly into giving these children better classrooms, safer water, a playground to laugh in, and tools to imagine a bigger future.

---

## Dawa Sherpa could’ve continued climbing mountains.

But he chose to build one—with love, brick by brick.

Now it’s our turn to help him raise it higher.

Let’s build this school together.

For Sardong. For Dawa. For every child with a quiet dream.

Our Goal: ₹10,00,000

To help build a better, safer, brighter Grace Academy.

How You Can Help ?

Contribute any amount—whatever you can afford—to support this mission.

📲 UPI ID:
7872884293@ybl

Every single rupee makes a difference.
Even ₹100 could mean a light bulb, a book, a warm bed for a child.

The STORY Behind..

## The Man Who Chose a Mountain Over Money