Help 5 Sherpa Rebuild
Donation protected
As many of you may know, during my first trip to the Himalayas in 2012 I was completely enchanted by the people, the landscape and the way of life in the mountains and immediately made up my mind to return. I did return in 2014 for the most amazing journey of my life and can’t express what an incredible moment it was to reach Mt. Everest base camp and to bear witness to the ever-changing landscapes, culture and scenery along the way.
More incredible than the landscape, are the people. Nepal is a land of vibrant, robust and hard working, happy people. Their lives are not easy, but they are grateful and uncomplaining. They radiate a contentment with what they have been given and offer limitless hospitality with whatever they can share. An infectious happiness and an inner light could be seen in each face I looked at, and I am blessed to have met, and now call several of these Sherpa my friends.
Very recently devastation of epic proportions hit this region of Nepal. On April 25, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck killing more than 8,600 and destroying much of the beautiful and culture rich cities and villages along the Everest trekking route. Homes have collapsed, landmarks reduced to rubble and a main source of income has been cut off due to unsafe travel and living conditions. The quake triggered a massive avalanche on Mt. Everest which swept through base camp and killed 18 climbers. Landslides occurred in several key trekking villages which lie in the remote valleys and mountainsides. As Nepal began the rebuilding process, another earthquake registering at 7.3 struck on May 12 and the already damaged infrastructure was brought to its knees.
There are many relief programs in place to help the masses, however many of the donations do not make it directly in to the hands of the people so deeply impacted. I have chosen to raise funds to help the Sherpa that I know who have become like family to me. The need for assistance is great and can seem overwhelming, but even the smallest contributions will make a big impact to so many lives there.
Prior to this tragic destruction I had arranged to return to the Himalayas for 2 months to teach English in the village of Thamo. English is a key to the door of employment and still not available to many there who are eager to learn. I absolutely am determined to keep this commitment and will personally ensure that the funds raised are placed directly in the hands of my Sherpa bhai (little brothers).
I am teaming up with Anne O’Herron (my closest friend and fellow trekker) with a goal to raise $33,000 by the end of August, 2015 to be used to rebuild the home of (our trek lead guide) Mingma Sherpa’s family in Namche Bazaar (near the epicenter of the second quake ), and aid in relief and financial assistance to the families of the 5 Sherpa we climbed with, whose entire income (like the economy of much of the region) is based on trekking season wages and tourism.
If we raise less than the goal, we will first contribute to Mingma Sherpa to rebuild his home and split the remaining money evenly across the 5 Sherpa's families.
If we raise more than the $33,000, the funds will be used for books and teaching supplies while I am there in September and October of this year.
While we can’t fund the whole nation in this crisis, we can certainly make a difference by helping these very special families rebuild their lives.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and helping with whatever donation you are comfortable with. Every contribution is deeply appreciated.
Namaste,
Maura
More incredible than the landscape, are the people. Nepal is a land of vibrant, robust and hard working, happy people. Their lives are not easy, but they are grateful and uncomplaining. They radiate a contentment with what they have been given and offer limitless hospitality with whatever they can share. An infectious happiness and an inner light could be seen in each face I looked at, and I am blessed to have met, and now call several of these Sherpa my friends.
Very recently devastation of epic proportions hit this region of Nepal. On April 25, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck killing more than 8,600 and destroying much of the beautiful and culture rich cities and villages along the Everest trekking route. Homes have collapsed, landmarks reduced to rubble and a main source of income has been cut off due to unsafe travel and living conditions. The quake triggered a massive avalanche on Mt. Everest which swept through base camp and killed 18 climbers. Landslides occurred in several key trekking villages which lie in the remote valleys and mountainsides. As Nepal began the rebuilding process, another earthquake registering at 7.3 struck on May 12 and the already damaged infrastructure was brought to its knees.
There are many relief programs in place to help the masses, however many of the donations do not make it directly in to the hands of the people so deeply impacted. I have chosen to raise funds to help the Sherpa that I know who have become like family to me. The need for assistance is great and can seem overwhelming, but even the smallest contributions will make a big impact to so many lives there.
Prior to this tragic destruction I had arranged to return to the Himalayas for 2 months to teach English in the village of Thamo. English is a key to the door of employment and still not available to many there who are eager to learn. I absolutely am determined to keep this commitment and will personally ensure that the funds raised are placed directly in the hands of my Sherpa bhai (little brothers).
I am teaming up with Anne O’Herron (my closest friend and fellow trekker) with a goal to raise $33,000 by the end of August, 2015 to be used to rebuild the home of (our trek lead guide) Mingma Sherpa’s family in Namche Bazaar (near the epicenter of the second quake ), and aid in relief and financial assistance to the families of the 5 Sherpa we climbed with, whose entire income (like the economy of much of the region) is based on trekking season wages and tourism.
If we raise less than the goal, we will first contribute to Mingma Sherpa to rebuild his home and split the remaining money evenly across the 5 Sherpa's families.
If we raise more than the $33,000, the funds will be used for books and teaching supplies while I am there in September and October of this year.
While we can’t fund the whole nation in this crisis, we can certainly make a difference by helping these very special families rebuild their lives.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and helping with whatever donation you are comfortable with. Every contribution is deeply appreciated.
Namaste,
Maura
Organizer
Maura Mullen
Organizer
Morrisville, PA