EAST End youngsters jetted off to Nepal to learn about the opportunities and aspirations of teenagers in the developing country.

Seven young Tower Hamlets volunteers took part in the cultural exchange programme to capital Katmandu, organised by non-governmental organisation (NGO) Youth Action Nepal.

The East Enders, who are active members of the youth-led group Leaders in Community (LiC), visited a rural school and joined 12 Nepalis for a leadership camp during their ten-day stay.

The volunteers are now planning on fundraising for the school to give more children in the community the chance to stay in education for longer.

Plans are being made for their newfound Nepalese friends to visit Tower Hamlets next year.

Project Manager and LiC founder, Momtaz Begum said: “This trip was a fantastic opportunity for the young people to really get out there and experience a completely different way of life.

“We were all overwhelmed by how some people live in Nepal, how little they have, yet how close their communities are and the level of respect people have for each other.”