07/22/2025
Breaking: Join me for a discussion with Dan Brown about the documentary movie Helambu at the James Memorial, August 5, 2025. Interview today, Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 8AM central time. Brought to you by Red Rock Auto, Arnie’s Powersports and Bubba’s Bubbles and Village Laundry!
Dan talks to us about the movies local screening and it’s important to the protection of young people. 
The 2022 documentary film Helambu depicts the efforts to bring education to a remote valley in Nepal where communities have historically faced exploitation and a lack of access to educational resources.
The movie, directed by Wes Overvold and Erika Share, focuses on the Helambu region and highlights the work of Tsering's Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young girls through education, ultimately aiming to prevent trafficking and early marriage. Maya Hylomo, a key individual featured in the film, embodies the transformative potential of education.
The film has been showcased at various international documentary film festivals and fundraising screenings, including the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (VIMFF). Audiences around the world, from Montana to Nepal, have been touched by the story of Maya, Purna Gautam (school principal), and the Hyolmo inhabitants of the Helambu region.
Helambu has received praise for its superb cinematography, pacing, and for allowing viewers to delve into the captivating world of the Hyolmo people. The film's impact is significant, having raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support healthcare facilities and educational opportunities in the Helambu region and inspire positive change in communities globally.
In addition to shedding light on the challenges faced by the Hyolmo people, the movie explores the Hyolmo culture, the history of the Melamchi Ghyang School, and the positive changes it has brought to the region. According to helambumovie.com, the story of one school changing everything is a central theme in the film. Executive Producer Peter Schmieding, also the president of Tsering's Fund, is often present for Q&A sessions after screenings to discuss the film and the organization's work.
High in the Himalayas along the border of Nepal and Tibet exist some of the world's most ancient mountain cultures. Although their remoteness has ensured the longevity of their traditional heritage, the lack of access to education has contributed to a dark history of exploitation. In one of these re...
