Gurkha Nepalese Children Supported


Monckton Lodge have again given support to the Gurkhas.

The Worshipful Master accompanied by members of the lodge gave a cheque for £230 to Captain Prem Ali of the Royal Gurkha Engineers based at Invicta Barracks, Maidstone at the Maidstone Masonic Centre prior to their general meeting on Friday 15th May 2009.

The money was raised in support of The Pahar Trust, a registered charity, in aid of building and maintaining schools for children in Nepal. The project was first started in 1991 to provide schools for 10000 children. To date the project help 7000 children in thirty seven schools. An important element of the Trust is the school Friendship Link Scheme. Friendship links between schools in the UK and Nepal were established by the Pahar Trust to enable children from both nations to learn more about each other’s cultures and to forge friendships, which would endure over time.

The lodge, which has a strong military connection, is very proud in maintaining its links with the Gurkha Engineers

Article and Photographs provided by Worshipful Brother Trevor Pankhurst.

Soldiers from the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers were special guests at Monckton Lodge, Maidstone on Thursday (20th March 2008) evening.

The soldiers from Invicta Barracks performed their famous ‘Khukri Dance’ and two Nepali children gave a demonstration of traditional local dance.

Captain Prem from the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers gave a brief history about the Gurkha’s in the British army and reminded the brethren that over 45,000 Gurkha’s lost their lives during the 1st and 2nd World War’s and are still very much in the thick of every conflict that involves British troops. The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers are just 50 years old but Gurkha’s have been part of the British Forces since the days of the East India Company.

Worshipful Brother Major Mike Cross, MBE and reigning Master Worshipful Brother James McDonald both of Monckton Lodge made a special presentation to Captain Prem of £1400 raised by the Lodge to be donated to the Pahar Trust, which raises money to build and equip schools in the Nepalese mountain region.

Captain Prem donated an ornamental Khukri to the Lodge, which was auctioned raising an extra £300, making a total of £1700 for the Trust. Brother Terry Smart who made the winning bid for the Khukri immediately donated it to the Lodge where it will take pride of place at future meetings.