Back in 2008, I was on my second expedition to Nepal to climb Mera Peak 6476m. Having already been to Base Camp Everest back in 2005, I had already grown to love the people of the Himalayas and their cultures and beliefs.
On this said occasion to Mera the lead Sherpa, Ang Pemba Sherpa told me about his village and how he and a group of young men from the village were trying to make a difference by teaching and educating the young and old in their community. They had put together a committee and a list of projects needed for the village.
On this said occasion to Mera the lead Sherpa, Ang Pemba Sherpa told me about his village and how he and a group of young men from the village were trying to make a difference by teaching and educating the young and old in their community. They had put together a committee and a list of projects needed for the village.
- Repairing and providing the old and leaking cold water supplies.
- Help to diversify the crops, plant, produce tea, providing a drying plant and understanding business to market their produce and provide a sustainable income for the future.
- Building projects such as a village community hall for everyone to use and benefit from in the future
- Providing religious and cultural training, by being able to employ a Buddhist Lama for the village.
- Building a public toilet block in the village
- Improving and widening single track trails and building bridges over the rivers
- Improving educational opportunities by providing books, writing materials not only for the children, but also for the adult Sherpa people.
- Providing funding for the poorest of families to enable them to send their children to school.
- Helping to keep the Sherpa language and traditions alive
I fell in love with the village and was fortunate enough to re-visit the village which is called Juway in 2010 and see how some of the projects were progressing. The school now has 180 children and takes in other children from various other villages (some two hour walking distances away). On my last visit I took a couple of rugby balls with me and was teaching them to play rugby 7s, everyone thought I mad taking rugby to the mountains, but the people of the village loved it!
Ever since then I have been looking at ways I can help more with assisting the village and surrounding villages. Up until now it has been difficult to raise funds and awareness here in the Western world, but with our Everest Summit attempt and our World Record attempt for the highest dinner party. It has allowed me to meet and have the pleasure to climb with a great team and through them it has given me the opportunity to work with the charity CAN (Community Action Nepal).
Community Action Nepal (CAN) is a UK based charity whose aim is to help the mountain people of Nepal. Founded by Doug Scott CBE, who in 1975 made the first British ascent of Everest, CAN is supported by mountaineers and mountain-lovers from across the globe. CAN's Kathmandu office and Nepali staff make our projects happen on the ground.
With the recent sad news of Sherpa’s losing their lives in 2014, it’s never been more important as it is now to help with funding and building a strong future for all the Sherpa villages and people in Nepal. By helping CAN, the 2015 Everest team will be able to raise funds so desperately needed for them all.
Visit: http://www.canepal.org.uk/
Blog by: Andrew Elliman
Ever since then I have been looking at ways I can help more with assisting the village and surrounding villages. Up until now it has been difficult to raise funds and awareness here in the Western world, but with our Everest Summit attempt and our World Record attempt for the highest dinner party. It has allowed me to meet and have the pleasure to climb with a great team and through them it has given me the opportunity to work with the charity CAN (Community Action Nepal).
Community Action Nepal (CAN) is a UK based charity whose aim is to help the mountain people of Nepal. Founded by Doug Scott CBE, who in 1975 made the first British ascent of Everest, CAN is supported by mountaineers and mountain-lovers from across the globe. CAN's Kathmandu office and Nepali staff make our projects happen on the ground.
With the recent sad news of Sherpa’s losing their lives in 2014, it’s never been more important as it is now to help with funding and building a strong future for all the Sherpa villages and people in Nepal. By helping CAN, the 2015 Everest team will be able to raise funds so desperately needed for them all.
Visit: http://www.canepal.org.uk/
Blog by: Andrew Elliman