From a 200-metre community mural to new friendships, shared experiences and conversations about the future, our week at the Girls’ Empowerment Centre has been about much more than music.

Surrounded by rice paddies, farmland and spectacular views towards the Himalayan foothills, the Girls’ Empowerment Centre in Nepal is a pretty special place.

Our founder Jonny Lee has been sharing his reflections from the trip, and one thing that has really stood out is the strength of the community surrounding the centre. From local farmers helping one another harvest their rice to the craftspeople, artists and young people coming together around the project, there’s been a real sense of collaboration throughout the week.

And nowhere has that been more visible than outside the centre itself.

200 metres of colour, creativity and inclusion

Three Nepalese artists travelled from Kathmandu to take on an ambitious creative project: transforming a 200-metre wall outside the centre into the Wall of Diversity.

With different sections exploring themes including inclusion, community and dreams for the future, the wall is becoming a colourful celebration of creativity.

It’s been a huge undertaking, particularly in the heat, but the artists haven’t been working alone.

Young people from the centre, including girls and boys, have been joining in, picking up paintbrushes and contributing their own creativity to the mural.

Rejina has been getting involved too!

For Jonny, seeing the students working alongside the artists has been one of the highlights of the trip.

The project has created opportunities for young people to participate in something visible and lasting, while learning from talented Nepalese artists.

A huge thank you to our trustee Kamelia for supporting this part of the project, and to the artists and everyone who has helped bring it to life.

The people who make it possible

Throughout the week, our team has spoken warmly about the welcome they’ve received from Deepak, Rejina and the wider community.

Deepak has been instrumental in coordinating local suppliers, craftspeople and the practical work involved in developing the new studios.

Rejina has been a wonderful presence throughout the visit, helping create an environment where our volunteers have felt welcome and connected to the centre.

And in a lovely development, Jonny has also recorded a podcast conversation with Rejina in the new facilities.

We’re looking forward to sharing more from that conversation, giving our community the opportunity to hear directly from someone closely involved with the programme in Nepal.

A birthday with a difference

There was even time for a little celebration!

Our volunteer Lex Luca marked his birthday during the trip, and the young people at the centre made sure it was one to remember.

There was cake, singing, sparklers, fake snow and an introduction to the local tradition of feeding the birthday person cake, with a little ending up on their face!

One young person even wrote Lex a birthday poem.

It’s these moments of connection, laughter and shared experiences that have made the week so memorable for everyone involved.

Looking beyond the visit

As the week draws to a close, there’s plenty to celebrate.

New creative facilities are taking shape, workshops are underway, original music is being recorded and a remarkable community mural is bringing colour to the centre.

But the longer-term ambition is just as important.

We want the opportunities created through Get Equipped to continue beyond our volunteers’ time in Nepal, with local partners and young people helping shape how the facilities and activities develop.

That means building relationships, sharing skills and working together to create something that can grow over time.

To Jonny, Jane, Lex, Deepak, Rejina, the local artists, craftspeople and every young person who’s been part of this extraordinary week, thank you.

This is what community-powered creativity looks like. And we can’t wait to see what comes next. ❤️