Gurkha Welfare Trust

The Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT) is a British charity, established in 1969. It is the principal UK charity dedicated to the provision of aid to Gurkha ex-servicemen and their dependents in their homeland of Nepal, and increasingly in United Kingdom and elsewhere.

Nepal has little industry, agriculture or infrastructure. Nepal also lacks any kind of public social welfare system. This means that the work of the Trust is critical in improving conditions for ex-servicemen and their dependents, who are often unable to work through illness or injury.

The Trust operates through 19 centres across Nepal that are staffed by former Gurkhas who investigate cases of hardship and distress and recommend appropriate aid. The Trust pays a monthly stipend, enough for basic food, to about 8,000 needy Gurkha ex-servicemen and widows in Nepal who do not receive a military pension (15 years' military service is required to earn such a pension). Medical treatment is also provided for them and their dependants. In addition, hardship grants are awarded to alleviate destitution following fire, flood and other natural disasters.

The Trust also helps to fund the education of some 1,000 children each year. Tertiary grants are also provided based on academic performance. The Trust has built 123 new schools in the hills and has an extensive renovation programme for dilapidated classrooms; it is currently concentrating on providing enhancements in existing schools, such as gymnasia, libraries and laboratories. Earthquake resistant designs are standard. The programme In partnership with Kadoorie Agriculture Aid Association, the Trust also provides vocational training to children of the Brigade and ex-servicemen in areas such as including electronics, bricklaying and sewing.

Each year, by tradition, all serving Officers and Other Ranks in the Brigade of Gurkhas contribute a day's pay to the Trust.

The patron of the Trust is the Prince of Wales; the chairman of the board of trustees is General Sir Peter Wall, and the current director is Colonel William Shuttlewood.