Founding Members
Founding Members
In May 2005, a group of 8 people trekked together to Everest Base Camp. They were led by Dawa Geljen Sherpa, a Sherpa whose family have lived in Lukla for generations. Son of a Yak farmer, Dawa learnt early how tough it can be getting on in life without the benefit of schooling. His father died when Dawa was still in primary school and Dawa left school to start work to help support his mother and family. His dream to improve the education of children in his home town of Lukla became a reality when he met David Woods, Ian Lowrie, Graham MacDonald, Linza Corp and Michele Findlay on their life changing trip to Everest Base Camp.
From the inspiration of Dawa and the energy of the group, Classrooms in the Clouds was born and on 29th August 2007 Classrooms in the Clouds was registered as a charity with the Charity Commission.
Meet the Team

Mike Hagen - Chair of Trustees Mike first discovered Nepal, its people and its mountains when trekking in
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Dawa Geljen Sherpa Founder of CITCNepal View Dawa's story here... Meet the
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Ron Middleton - Treasurer/Trustee Ron is a Chartered Accountant and was appointed Honorary Treasurer in June 2016.
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Mark Cashin - Trustee Chief Fire Office for Cheshire Fire and Rescue, UK, Mark joined the team of
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Lawrie McLaren - Trustee Lawrie joined the CITCNepal team of trustees in May 2015. Based in Brussels,
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Sarah Hagen Secretary and Trustee Sarah joined CITCNepal in 2010 following a trek to Annapurna Base Camp. A
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Ang Gombu Sherpa Programme Director Treasurer of CITC NGO in Nepal and Co-Founder of Adventure Thamserku, has many
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Samden Sherpa Education Development Officer Samden supports the professional development of the Teachers sponsored by CITCNepal and manages building
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Sonam Sherpa CITCNepal Engineer Sonam, CITCNepal Engineer's, designed and managed the installation of a clean water system in
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Mingma Chhamji Sherpa Mingma worked as a sponsored CITCNepal teacher for 7 years at Shree Lukla Lower
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Kate Roberts Communications Officer JKate joined CITCNepal Team in March 2017 and works alongside Sarah Hagen to provide news
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NGO Committee Members Dawa Geljen Sherpa - President (Founder of Adventure Thamserku) Pasang Geljen Sherpa - Vice President Nima Dawa
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Mani Kumar RaiEducational Support Worker Mani was appointed Sponsored CITC Teacher in 2012 at Bakhapalam Lower Secondary School.
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Ang Sona SherpaProject Support Officer Appointed in 2019, Sona is our Project Support Officer, responsible for maintaining the
Read moreFounding Members In May 2005, a group of 8 people trekked together to Everest Base Camp. They
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Tom Fakler - Professional Photographer CITCNepal is honoured to have the support of critically acclaimed professional photographer Tom
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