Sherpa class benefits

Chaurikharka school in Nepal will get its new computer room - and more - after Herald readers gave $16,500 to the paper's Everest appeal.

The appeal ran during the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Mt Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, for one of the schools Sir Edmund's trust built in the Himalayan foothills.

Himalayan Trust committee member Pasang Sherpa expressed his thanks from Kathmandu last night. "This will certainly benefit the students at present and many, many students in future."

Three weeks ago, headmaster Biru Man Rai said that what the poor, six-room school of 288 needed most was a computer room to give children a connection with the rest of the world.

A computer room was estimated to cost up to $12,000. Herald readers have given the school further options: buying new computers, hiring a computer teacher, or starting another classroom.

Sarah Hillary, a member of the Himalayan Trust and Sir Edmund's daughter, said the money would give the children a great advantage. "It's fantastic."

Herald Feature: Climbing Everest - The 50th Anniversary\