The winds of Changthang carry stories, of faith, endurance and communities shaped by the mountains. This September, a group of women leaders from across the world joined GHE for a nine-day expedition to one of Ladakh’s most remote spiritual monastery: the Tashi Chosling Nunnery in Hanle village, perched at a staggering 14,500 ft.

They arrived not just as volunteers but as global leaders – ready to listen, learn and contribute to the everyday lives of the nuns who call this high-altitude desert home.

Women leaders and nuns celebrating the transition to clean energy

Electrifying a Sanctuary of faith

For decades, the nunnery functioned without reliable lighting. Butter lamps and limited daylight were the only sources of illumination for over fifty nuns who spent most of their time studying, meditating and completing daily duties. During Ladakh’s long winter months, the lack of lighting restricted productivity and made even simple tasks difficult.

Carrying the solar panels to terrace for electrification

As part of the Women Leaders Expedition, participants installed a complete solar-powered lighting system across the nunnery. With reliable lighting now available in prayer rooms, study halls and living spaces, the nuns can:

• Continue their prayers after sunset
• Move around safely during dark winter evenings
• Reduce dependence on butter lamps and other fuel-based lighting
• Lower indoor smoke exposure and ongoing energy costs

Women leaders engaging in wiring in the nunnery

Hands-on Participation

The women leaders actively participated in wiring, assembling fixtures and setting up the solar components themselves. For many, it was their first time engaging directly in clean-energy installation work. Their hands-on contribution ensured the system was not just installed but also understood, tested and appreciated by the community they were helping.

Hands-on installing the panels and batteries in nunnery

Bringing Warmth to Himalayan Winters

Beyond lighting, the expedition supported the nunnery by installing Improved Rocket Stoves – a crucial upgrade in a region where temperatures drop well below freezing point. These stoves provide:

• Reliable heating during harsh winters
• Cleaner indoor air, with significantly reduced smoke
• Lower firewood consumption, reducing labor and environmental pressure
• Efficient cooking, conserving both time and fuel

Nuns boiling water on newly installed rocket stove

Human Connections Beyond Borders

While the technical work was important, the expedition also created moments of genuine human connection. The nuns welcomed the team with curiosity and warmth, offering butter tea, sharing insights about monastic life and consistently checking in with thoughtful concern:

“Are you comfortable? Is the altitude treating you well?”

Head nun offering Khataks and tea to women

These small interactions reflected the deep-rooted hospitality of Ladakh where community, care and kindness naturally become part of any journey. The experience reminded the group that meaningful impact is built through relationships as much as through projects.

Meditation and Spiritual session with monk

Under Ladakh’s Sacred Sky

The expedition concluded in Hanle, a village known for its exceptionally clear night skies and rich cultural narratives. Surrounded by constellations and the Milky Way stretching across the desert sky, participants learned about local folklore and the region’s historic relationship with the stars.

These nights provided space for reflection, on energy access, leadership, community partnership, and the broader purpose of their work. The clarity of Hanle’s sky offered something rare: a sense of perspective that is both grounding and inspiring.

Engaging in the stargazing session and local folklores at Cosmohub

A Journey into Ladakh’s Culture

Beyond the intervention, the expedition unfolded as a deep cultural immersion into Ladakh’s heritage. From quiet moments at the iconic Shanti Stupa to evenings spent on the cold sand dunes of Nubra, the women leaders experienced the region’s contrasts in all their beauty. They met the inspiring women of Kyagar Village, who performed a traditional dance preserved since the ancient Silk Route era, shared kitchens with local hosts to learn Ladakhi cooking and visited monasteries like Ensa Gompa that echo centuries of spiritual history.

These experiences added richness and depth to the journey, offering a holistic understanding of the land, its people and its enduring traditions.

Immersing in Ladakhi culture – Silk Route traditions

Why This Journey Matters

This Expedition became a powerful reminder of the difference that collective purpose can create. The electrification of the Tashi Chosling Nunnery and the installation of rocket stoves brought lasting comfort, safety to the nuns who live and pray in this remote Himalayan landscape. At the same time, the leaders carried back with them newfound perspectives shaped by shared stories and connections formed with women whose resilience is woven into every aspect of their lives.

Hiking up to Hanle Monastery

It was not only a journey of bringing light and warmth to a distant community, but a journey of expanding compassion, leadership and awareness. As the women left Ladakh, they carried with them an enduring sense of responsibility, belonging and the knowledge that meaningful change often begins with simple acts of solidarity.

If you want to join hands with Himalayan communities and contribute to sustainable impact on the ground, explore our upcoming expeditions with GHE.
Get involved. Create impact. Begin your journey today.