The School of Sustainable Living (SSL) is also a first of its kind in Nepal. To future generations, from Nepal and abroad, SSL demonstrates alternative development models that promote self-fulfilling and sustainable living. The SSL is committed for helping people build the skills and choices that are compatible with aspirations of communities, sharing eco-friendly methods with other communities throughout the world and serving as a living laboratory and classroom for building and sustaining holistic communities. The SSL collaborates with and supports schools within local Nepalese communities and beyond to embed principles of local sustainability. Focusing on environmental, social and economic issues, the SSL engages with local values, knowledge and skills to enhance sustainability and environmental awareness for the benefit of present and future generations.
HSFF envisions eco-villages as places where environmental education, nature conservation and responsible tourism meet. The model eco-villages (as initiated inThak and Sikles) offer practical and experience-based environmental and social education for schools and educational institutions from across the globe. The SSL caters to the growing sector of 'ecotourism' and in the name of environmental and social responsibility, takes this concept to the next level through deeper educational and volunteer opportunities.
Additionally, Thak and Sikles offer a unique opportunity for tourist/volunteers to interact with and teach the students in local primary and high schools.
Domestic and international participants have the option of leading classroom-style workshops on environmental topics of their choice. Locals and those from the region can lead demonstrations concerning village infrastructure or daily tasks, or initiate small groups for treks, fishing/foraging outings, honey hunting, flora identification and to illustrate local conservation issues. Summer programs will be designed around such activities and themes. For higher-level students, the SSLprovides a location for ideas and theories to be shared and tested.
The SSL attracts students from near and far and thus creates a setting where students of nearby villages and towns can interact with students from across the globe. It provides a unique experience for students of different cultures to interact under the context of eco-friendly living and practices. Students can gain first-hand knowledge in sustainable agriculture practices, collection of wild/forest products (honey, mushrooms, herbs, vegetable), eco-friendly energy sources (micro hydro, solar panels) and all aspects of sustainable living.
The SLL will also facilitate the following programmes for students, researchers and teachers.
- Fieldwork and Ecotrek/Sustainable Expeditions for innovative research
- Field site for higher education research (PhD dissertations or other fieldwork)
- Pedagogical training for practical and field-based education, methods and research
- Designing experience-based environmental education curriculum
HSFF arranges and supervises 6-12 week internships and applied research projects across Nepal. In this pursuit, HSFF is highly flexible and accommodating to the diverse backgrounds and interests of its participants. For its international students and researchers, HSFF conducts basic Nepali language courses and cultural orientation workshops.
Some of the activities include:
- Water harvesting
- Sustainable natural resource management
- Fishing trips
- Wild honey hunting (on cliffs)
- Conservation efforts (work with Annapurna Conservation Area Project and local Conservation Area Management Committees, Schools and Village Development Committees)
- Local culinary practices
- Sustainable energy sources (micro hydro, solar panels)
- Exploring the do's & don’ts of responsible tourism (this includes interaction with tourists)
- Bird watching
- Discussion of environmental and social issues with students of disparate cultures
