Project goal
Our aim is to create a space that inspires people of all ages and social or financial backgrounds to push their boundaries, build confidence, improve their physical health and enjoyment of movement, and strengthen social skills.
To achieve this, we are building a centre dedicated to bouldering culture. It will feature a bouldering facility offering a wide range of climbing options for beginners to professionals, with an attached restaurant inviting people to stay and socialise.
With this inclusive approach, we aim to make a sustainable contribution to improving the local living conditions.
Mission
Vitamin C is exempt from taxation; donations can be tax-deductible within the legal framework.
Social Education
- Our target groups gain self-confidence, teamwork skills, and personal development opportunities through sport and targeted programmes.
- Workshops and training sessions teach practical life skills, from financial literacy (basic money management) to career preparation.
- Inclusive sport allows people with and without disabilities to learn from each other, fostering mutual understanding.
Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
- We also create a safe space for vulnerable groups such as young women, youth, and people with disabilities.
- Special training times, accessible infrastructure, female trainers, and partnerships with local organisations ensure a secure environment.
- Low-threshold offerings (e.g., open trial sessions without registration or free introductory workshops) make access easy and straightforward for everyone—regardless of social or financial background—and communicated in clear language.
Long-term Perspectives and Economic Stability
- Through training and employment opportunities at the bouldering area, people gain meaningful, long-term career prospects.
- The project supports local economic cycles by involving only small local businesses, thereby creating jobs.
- The combination of movement, education, and employment helps people lead self-determined lives.
Partnerships with Institutions
- Support for youth, women, and people with disabilities.
- Stimulating the regional economy through sustainable tourism.
- Promoting intercultural exchange and economic synergies.
Focus
The starting conditions for young people in Nepal are marked by poverty, lack of education, and social inequalities, which hinder access to education and employment. Despite constitutional protections, discrimination and exploitation of minorities, lower castes and casteless groups, as well as women and children, remain widespread.
Team
Individuals involved in Nepal and Switzerland
Gobinda Kumar Rai
Local partner in Kathmandu
Gobinda Kumar Rai
Local partner in Kathmandu
My aspiration: To take on leadership and responsibility as a creative problem-solver; to develop management skills within a growing organisation; to utilise resources effectively and achieve substantial results.
With 25 years of professional experience as a tour operator, trekking guide, and social worker in Nepal.
Ramon Trachsel
Builder
Ramon Trachsel
Builder
Grew up in Heimiswil and Burgdorf. Trained as a metalworker. After a few years of various temporary jobs, worked for a designer in Wynigen. During this time, I was very active in bouldering and climbing.
In 2013, I co-founded the first public bouldering hall in Rossfeld, Bern, with Pascal Trachsel and Wolfgang Antz under Bimano GmbH.
In 2017/18, I helped open the bouldering hall at Zentweg, which includes a restaurant, playground, and skatepark.
In 2021, I opened the Bimano Boulderhalle in Solothurn.
In 2025, the Manola Boulderhalle in Langenthal will open.
In these projects, I increasingly took on planning and construction management roles. From plumbing to entire kitchens, we built everything ourselves.
Alongside these projects, I have also pursued artistic activities, participating in various exhibitions with my paintings, sculptures displayed on Münsterplatz during Buskers 2019, Magnetfahrbar in Sattelkammer 2021, and clay and steel sculptures at Terra Vecchia Worbboden in 2022.
Krishna Basnet
Cultural Mediator
Krishna Basnet
Cultural Mediator
I grew up in Nepal. Since 2006, I have been living in Switzerland. As a passionate trekking and cultural guide, I understand the needs of people in both Nepal and Switzerland.
Nepal boasts a rich cultural diversity, shaped by Hindu and Buddhist traditions, as well as a close connection to nature and community. Its culture is characterised by rituals, festivals, and strong family bonds. In contrast, Swiss cultural values tend to emphasise individualism, order, and innovation.
In this project, I am happy to serve as a „translator“. I facilitate communication between different cultures, various interest groups, political institutions, entrepreneurs, and others, contributing to this unique social and intercultural initiative.
Ashish k.c
Engineer
Ashish k.c
Engineer
Master of Construction and Engineering
Management Status: Running
Kathford College of Engineering and Management
JUN 2013 – JUN 2017
Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering
LANGUAGES
Nepali (native), Fluent in English
Skills:
- Experience using AutoCAD and ETABS for structural analysis and interpretation of buildings during work as a civil engineer at Dream Developers Pvt Ltd.
- Experience preparing Bills of Quantities (BOQs), conducting quality control on construction sites.
- Skilled in using tools such as the theodolite during site management and engineering work.
- Proficient in Revit for modelling, designing, and drawing buildings, learned during my master’s research on sustainable construction using Revit and Revit Tally for life cycle analysis.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and MS Project for project planning, budgeting, and resource management.
Reto Solèr
President, Expert in "Sustainable Development of Mountain Regions"
Reto Solèr
President, Expert in "Sustainable Development of Mountain Regions"
Specialising in sustainable tourism development, especially in leveraging natural and cultural assets. He also brings expertise in mobility and focuses on non-profit projects. All sustainability aspects, regional considerations, and local participation are always taken into account, supported by a broad network of experienced professionals.
Reto Santschi
Project Manager at KTM-Boulder-Areal, Facilitator*
Reto Santschi
Project Manager at KTM-Boulder-Areal, Facilitator*
*A facilitator supports groups in achieving their goals together, structuring discussions, and easing decision-making processes. They ensure an open and respectful atmosphere, promote collaboration, and help resolve conflicts. The aim is to make group work efficient and productive.
In my backpack, I carry an apprenticeship as a typesetter, training as a graphic designer, a degree in „Corporate Design Management FH,“ and a qualification as a facilitator.
Twenty-seven years ago, I founded MAGMA, an agency specialising in branding and design.
Doing things the right way is very important to me – working creatively with head, hand, and heart, and being a generalist who seeks to understand the core of things. But „doing the right things“ is even more important. That’s why I have invested time and energy into my family, travelling to Nepal, MAGMA branding, my children’s education, leading mountain climbing activities at various rock climbing camps, serving on the board of Mountain Wilderness for over 25 years (and exploring real mountains), and for the past ten years, supporting people in my „second home“ Nepal through the Vitamin C association.
I enjoy being outdoors in nature and the mountains, and I perform well when engaging with other people.
Currently, I am actively learning Nepali, including its script and language.
Christine Scheidegger
Vice President, Specialist in Education and Inclusion
Christine Scheidegger
Vice President, Specialist in Education and Inclusion
Started her career over 30 years ago as an environmental engineer in Berlin, initially focusing on waste management in healthcare facilities. Later, she led projects on knowledge and water in a regional nature park, working closely with local communities. She has also trained in education, arts, and movement therapy, now teaching children and youth with developmental challenges.
She is active in environmental protection through Mountain Wilderness and the Green Party in her hometown. Coming from a multicultural family (German father, Indonesian mother), she was born in the Netherlands and grew up in Germany, with periods living in Nigeria and Singapore.
Although now firmly rooted in Switzerland, she remains drawn to distant countries and cultures.
Alex Hofstetter
Head of Marketing
Alex Hofstetter
Head of Marketing
“Think connected.
Communicate clearly.
Act effectively.”
A versatile strategist with heart and passion, experienced in strategic and operational marketing, sales, media production, leadership, and public procurement.
Known for a good sense of people and markets, clarity on priorities, and transforming ideas into impactful projects. He combines strategic thinking with strong implementation skills—structured, solution-oriented, always aiming to create real value.
He loves project work, bringing clarity, structure, and energy to teams—even when things get complex. Outside work, he enjoys running, mountain adventures, and bouldering.
Your donation makes a difference…
We promote help for self-help, supporting people in Nepal facing challenging circumstances: directly, straightforwardly, and personally.