KATHMANDU, JULY 22 A five-day international volunteer programme organised by South Korea's Kwangwoon University in collaboration with the Um Hong Gil Human Foundation (UHGHF) and Shree Azad Secondary School concluded in Panchkhal Municipality of Kavrepalanchok on July 19, promoting educational and cultural exchange between Nepali and Korean students. The programme, held from July 15 to 19 at Shree Azad Secondary School, brought together a volunteer team comprising 20 students and a university coordinator from Kwangwoon University. The team conducted a range of educational and cultural activities, including Korean language classes, cultural exchange sessions, Taekwondo demonstrations, information technology (IT) training, and health and hygiene education. According to the organisers, around 180 students from Grades 8 and 9 participated in the activities. A Korean cultural festival featuring traditional games, sports competitions and a flea market was also organised, offering students an opportunity to experience Korean culture while fostering friendship and teamwork. This was the third volunteer programme conducted at the school following similar exchanges in 2023 and 2025, reflecting the growing partnership among Kwangwoon University, UHGHF and the local community. Speaking at the closing ceremony, UHGHF founder and renowned South Korean mountaineer Captain Um Hong Gil said the programme provided students with an opportunity to interact with university students from South Korea, broaden their perspectives and build lasting cross-cultural friendships. He encouraged students to pursue their dreams and contribute to Nepal's future development, describing young people as the country's 'dream, hope and strength'. Shree Azad Secondary School Principal Prahlad Timilsina said the programme had given students valuable international exposure and meaningful learning experiences. He expressed hope for continued collaboration and opportunities for Nepali students to visit South Korea through future educational and cultural exchange initiatives. Team leader Taeyeon Lee said the smiles and teamwork demonstrated by both Nepali and Korean students would remain a lifelong memory. Shree Azad Secondary School, established in 1951, serves 945 students, most of whom belong to the Danuwar community, one of Nepal's marginalised Indigenous groups. Following the 2015 earthquake, which damaged 17 of the school's 26 classrooms, UHGHF supported reconstruction efforts by building a new earthquake-resistant school block equipped with child-friendly furniture and gender-friendly sanitation facilities. The project was completed in 2018 with support from South Korea's Dowonsa Temple, making the school the 14th Human School established by the foundation in Nepal. As part of their Nepal visit, the volunteer team also visited Prithvi Narayan Secondary School in Tarkeshwor Municipality, Kathmandu, on July 21, where they jointly organised a Taekwondo demonstration and cultural exchange programme involving 45 students. Since 2009, UHGHF has been supporting community schools across Nepal through educational infrastructure development and programmes aimed at improving access to quality education. Organisers said the successful completion of this year's volunteer programme further strengthened educational ties and people-to-people relations between Nepal and South Korea.