Medical Camp Moves Mountains in Nepal

Kathmandu, Nepal Oct 28, 2007

The October 11-24, 2007 “Moving Medical Camp”, organized by The Mountain Fund, in cooperation with “Karing for Kids – Nepal”, served over 1000 patients in seven villages.

The 25 member medical team which is composed of US, UK and Nepali Doctors and Nurses, as well as Nepali translators, visited 7 villages in the remote Rasuwa District on the Tibetan border, and just finished giving free medical care to over 1000 indigenous Tamang inhabitants of the area.

The medical team included OBGYN, Pediatric, Optometric and General Medicine practioneers. Over 225 eye patients received glasses and vision assistance. (A more detailed report will follow this press release.)

The Medical Team included, Michael Falcone, Dr. Beth-Hall Thompson, Tu Mach, Dr. Dorothy Kammerer-Doak, Susie Rivard-Dibenedetto, Shelly Ogle, David Diaz, Robert Doak, Lindsey Mahlstedt, Ann McCollum, Kerry Flint, Christina Quack, Peter Korpi, Katie Korpi, Puskar Gurung, Sudhir Lama, Dr. Alish Prajapati, Teja Raut, Sudha Dhungana, Kopila Lama, Phurbu Tamang, Dipendra Shrestha, Dipendra Lama, Nima Tamang and Jimyang Lama. Special thanks to Dr. Alish Prajapati who was our official medical host from Nepal.

Much thanks to Mountain Hardwear for the Space Stations that were used as portable clinic buildings and Phillips Environmental for the PETT toilet systems.

About The Mountain Fund: Our mission is to organize grassroots non-profit and non- governmental organizations from a diversity of disciplines, and to support and coordinate these organizations’ efforts to eliminate poverty, its causes and symptoms, in developing mountain communities around the world.

Website: http://www.mountainfund.org

About Karing For Kids – Nepal: Karing for Kids – Nepal is a partner within The Mountain Fund, and has operated a Mother-Child Health Clinic in Goljung, Rasuwa, Nepal since the late 1990’s.

Website: http://www.karingforkids.org

The Mountain Fund Scott MacLennan email: mtnfund@mountainfund.org

Attitude from Altitude the EcoEverest Expeditions

Sorry to all the schools and organizations that asked for a presentation about the 3 Finger Sustainability Symbol… something very important that may help nudge the tipping point to Sustainable Thinking has arrived.

...and the Rethos.com community is the FIRST to hear about it!

I’m off to Nepal to help with the EcoEverest expedition -

if you are interested in participating, enjoying an amazing adventure, and helping bring a “three finger focus” to this area of the planet where climate change and global warming are having a measurable and devastating effect RIGHT NOW… please send me a message explaining how you would like to contribute to the expedition / adventure, and ask to be invited or included in some capacity as a member of the McMaster Institute for Sustainable Commerce www.rethos.com/McMasterInstitute – (Hint: You must have shared the 3 Finger Sustainability Symbol with 3 other people, and have 3 posted photos to be eligible)

We’re looking for adventurous representatives from countries around the world, who, following their own experiences and observations in Nepal, will bring a message back to their countires of how URGENT attitude modification is needed, and how we can EACH make a difference through “Attitude from Altitude”... and QUICKLY spread and apply the concepts behind the three finger Sustainability Symbol around the planet.

The series of EcoEverest Expeditions in 2008 will include education expeditions, entrepreneurship expeditions, cross-cultural exchange expeditions with each (2 week to 3 month duration) expedition incorporating a variety of opportunities to help the people of Nepal, and by extension – the Planet.

Not all the Expeditions are to the Everest region. There are 3,000 glaciers in Nepal. There are jungles, rivers, and almost every climate and altitude that exists elsewhere on Earth. The EcoEverest Expeditions will explore, monitor, aid, assist, illustrate, challenge, compromise, reveal, strengthen and build alongside fellow citizens of the Earth.

The EcoEverest Expeditions will involve mountain clean-ups, animal rescues, planting trees, opportunities for teaching experiences and sustainable business and eco-trade opportunities (triple bottom line – Society, Environment, Economy).

I hope some of you will consider joining me and celebrated mountaineers, adventurers and NGO’s for these expeditions in Nepal, or if you don’t have the time, money or self-confidence, at least do what you can to assist in the development of this critical adventure from behind your computers around the world.

Finally, if you know someone who you think has the right Attitude and deserves to participate in this adventure, please encourage them to join rethos.com , contribute to the community, and give them a chance to be chosen for the EcoEverest Expedition 2008, or ask to be on the waiting list for 2009.

Our projects in Nepal

“The Mountain Fund” is in the Kathmandu news!

Article 1:

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=126570

Article 2:

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=128574

Announcing "Art4Good"

Introducing a new program of The Mountain Fund called “Art4Good”!

Our new program, Art4Good, is an online gallery created for the purposes of showcasing our members’ talents and raising funds for the projects we support.

Our gallery includes images from some of the world’s greatest mountain ranges; and currently features the following artists:

Carl R. Battreall & Alaska Wilderness Photography

Gregory William Frux

Jake Norton & Mountain World Photography

- and -

Our Founder, Scott MacLennan. We’ve selected a group of special photos taken from his treks in Nepal and Peru.

Art4Good is set-up for online ordering, however, you may also place an order via email. If you have any questions about this site; ordering; or donating your artwork, please contact the program manager, Jenn Spradlin, at jenn@mountainfund.org.

~ Thank you for your support!

LINKS: Art4Good at http://art4good.ifp3.com The Mountain Fund at http://www.mountainfund.org

The Mountain Fund and Adventure Engine Team Up for Nepal Trekking

February 2008: The Mountain Fund and its Trek4Good program are proud to announce an exciting new partnership with Adventure Engine. Adventure Engine is an online administration suite providing everything from reservation programs, inventory management systems, merchant accounts, e commerce solutions, and marketing and distribution programs to adventure tourism suppliers, operators, outfitters and tour companies.

The Mountain Fund is a US based charity with a mission to "organize grassroots non-profit and non-governmental organizations from a diversity of disciplines, and to support and coordinate these organizations' efforts to eliminate poverty, its causes and symptoms, in developing mountain communities around the world". The Mountain Fund/Adventure Engine partnership will make it possible for trekking agencies in Nepal [who subscribe to ethical treatment of porters, environmentally sound practices and a commitment to sustainable tourism], to access and use the powerful Adventure Engine. The Mountain Fund's Director, Scott MacLennan, says "Many good trekking agents in Nepal are at a market disadvantage in not being able to book online and take payments online. This is standard practice for Western companies, and Western clients have come to expect that level and ease of service. Asking clients to e-mail for information, or send credit card information in an e-mail, costs these companies business. This program will make all that possible and affordable."

1% for the People: One of the conditions of accessing Adventure Engine via The Mountain Fund is that 1% of all trip sales will go to The Mountain Fund to be invested in schools, health clinics and other projects in Nepal. It's a total win-win. The agent gets an affordable, smart, easy-to-use system for booking online and taking secure credit card payments, while helping his/her local charities and schools earn money. The idea of "1 Percent for the People" was first hatched by Danny Giovale, owner of Kahtoola Snow Shoes. For quite a while, there's been a "One Percent for the Planet" program which supports environnmental work, but what about the people? What about schools, health clinics and microfinance programs?

Many people living in mountainous regions today know how to care for the natural environment, as it has been the source of their livelihood for generations. What they lack is access to healthcare, clean water, good education and capital to start businesses. That is what "1 Percent for the People" is all about, by tapping into the need for tour and trekking operators to have powerful, easy to use online booking systems to sell more trips and treks. "1 Percent for the People" makes it possible for trekking agents, hotel owners and tour operators in Nepal to make more money.

To learn more about these new programs, please contact The Mountain Fund's Director, Scott MacLennan, at mtnfund@mountainfund.org.

Porters’ Clothing Programs soon to merge in Nepal

April 2008 Kathmandu, Nepal The Mountain Porter Support Program, operated jointly by International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC) and The Mountain Fund, moved its locations this past month for their office and porter clothing bank. The office is now in The Mountain Fund Volunteer Visitor Center. The Center is located in the New Scout Building in Lainchaur across from The Royal Palace. The clothing bank has been relocated to The Mountain Fund Program director Scott MacLennan’s home located in Sukedhara. The Volunteer Visitor Center is open and free to all Mountain Fund, IMEC and South American Explorers Club members, and provides travel assistance, volunteer referral services, and free internet for members and working volunteers. The Mountain Fund also learned that “Porters Progress” was planning to close the clothing bank which it runs in Lukla for the Everest region porters. After conversations with International Porter Protection Group, Porters Progress Sagamartha and Porters Progress Nepal, we are all very close to an agreement under which all porter clothing bank management in Nepal will be consolidated. At the present time there are three primary organizations providing free clothing assistance for porters. Porters Progress Kathmandu, Porters Progress Sagamartha and the Mountain Porter Support Group operated by IMEC. Under the proposed merger, these three groups will operate as one with financial support from The Mountain Fund, Porters Progress USA, IMEC and International Porter Protection Group. Porter clothing programs were first introduced to Nepal in the 1990’s by IMEC. Over the past decade the number of porter programs and clothing banks has grown, as has the locations where porter clothing can be obtained. While this has created some positive benefits for porters, it has also lead to duplication of efforts by the various porter support groups. Uniting all of these efforts under one management system will reduce operating costs and improve efficiencies. The Mountain Fund and IMEC are also opening a branch office in Syabru Bensi this month. Located at the start of the Langtang Trek and Tamang Trail, this location will afford porters from the nearby Tamang villages an excellent opportunity to borrow appropriate clothing for working in this region. Space and management of the clothing bank have been generously donated by Hotel Lasha in Syabru Bensi. Clothing for porters will be available at the hotel starting late this month. Many thanks to Hotel Lasha for their kindness and support in making this possible. IMEC http://www.hec.org/ IPPG http://www.ippg.net/ The Mountain Fund http://www.mountainfund.org

Healthcare Update from Nepal

April 2008:

 

The Mountain Fund has just returned to Kathmandu following two weeks in the Rasuwa District of Nepal.  Located a few kilometers from the border of Tibet, the Rasuwa District is home to dozens of small Tamang Villages.  The Tamang are believed to have migrated from Mongolia via

Tibet hundreds of years ago and settled in this remote mountain area.  Life in many Tamang Villages carries on much as it has for centuries.  For many of the villages, subsistence farming is their way of life and these rugged, inventive people have learned how to survive on the steep hillsides of the northern Rasuwa District.

 

The Mountain Fund first visited these villages in 2001, and began working with Karing for Kids - Nepal, a Nepali organized NGO (nonprofit) who had started a small health outpost in an area of the district where no healthcare existed.  The clinic, located at Goljung, was the only source for nearly 7,000 Tamang villagers living in Goljung, Gatlang, Chilime, Tatopani and the hills nearby.

 

This March, we took volunteer EMT’s on our medical trek, to work at the Goljung clinic and at the soon to be open Thulo Syabru clinic.  While the EMT’s attended to the medical needs of the villages, The Mountain Fund’s program director, Scott MacLennan and Bhunima Lama labored to prepare the Thulo Syabru building for occupancy and use as a clinic.  The building has not been fully utilized for several years and needed a

great deal of cleaning.  First the two connected a water supply system to the building and then set about in earnest to scrub the entire place

in preparation for the clinic opening in April.

 

The population in the Rasuwa District is around 44,731.  With the support of The Mountain Fund, there are now two clinics where once no medical services were available. Over 10,000 families now have access to primary health care.  These clinics cost less than $2.00 (US) per family, per year to operate.

 

For more information about our medical treks, please visit www.trek4good.org.

New Book Offers Glimpse of Nepalese Porters’ Lifestyles

Vineland, NJ, April 18, 2008 - Yileen Press of New Jersey has completed publication of their newest book, “On a Donkey’s Back”.  This book gives voice to the voiceless by capturing the daily lives of Nepal’s mountain porters through their own poetry and artwork.  With more than fifty poems and various pieces of scanned artwork, the reader receives a glimpse into this relatively unknown lifestyle. 

 

It is the porter’s difficult and often thankless job to transport the materials needed by mountain climbers up the sides of mountains.  Their lives are filled with hopelessness and hardship, but despite their bleak future, these strong spirited individuals find solace and joy in the Nepalese tradition of poetry.  This diametric existence creates a poetry which is both beautiful and bleak. 

 

This is a book that should be in every climber’s or trekker’s library, and has an introduction by award winning author, Brandon Wilson.  Mr. Wilson’s work includes Yak Butter Blues, Dead Men Don’t Tip, and Along the Templar Trail:  Seven Million Steps for Peace.

 

HOW TO ORDER:

On a Donkey’s Back

ISBN # 9-0-615-19163-8

[5.5 x 8.5, 94 pp]  $15.00 + $3.50 s/h

Please make payment of $18.50 to Yileen Press.

Yileen Press

PO Box 2828

Vineland, NJ  08362

 

The website, www.yileenpress.com , is currently under construction.  If you have any further questions, please contact this blogger jenn@mountainfund.org  or Yileen Press at tsw@yileenpress.com.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Mountain Fund for support of their Porters’ Programs.  Thank you for supporting the Porters of Nepal!

Nepalese woman making a stone bowl

Nepalese woman making a stone bowl

 

Three balligaray in Nepal

Three balligaray

 

Nepalese women carrying stones

Nepalese women carrying stones.

 

Soldiers and civilians in Nepal

Soldiers and civilians living side-by-side in Nepal

 

Nepalese children at school

Nepalese children at a private school

 

Priest in Nepal

Priest in Nepal

 

Woman at a fruit stand in Nepal

Woman at a nepalese fruit stand

 

Soldier and civilians side-by-side in Nepal

Heavy lifting in rural Nepal

Heavy lifting in rural Nepal

Women and children at a Nepalese temple

Nepalese basket-weaving

Woman weaving a basket in Nepal.

Nepalese holy man

Nepalese holy man.