Dear Friends:
With the end of winter fast approaching, it is time once again for me to share with you some current plans for the Human Outreach Project (HOP). As you are likely aware, HOP endeavors to return something to and foster friendships with people residing in remote mountain villages. Often at great risk to their own safety, many of these people enable climbers and trekkers to accomplish summiting mountains like Everest and Kilimanjaro. Unfortunately, these same people, or their families, friends and neighbors, are often in need of basic necessities. The necessities and comfort HOP thus provides, while perhaps seemingly insignificant to others, is received by residents of remote villages with enormous gratitude. Indeed, the expressions of gratitude drive HOP to continue its mission. Thus, with the unset of spring, we look forward to continuing our mission of spreading goodwill as we visit remote villages with our partner and companion World Wide Trekking.
This May, HOP will return to Nepal. We will return to the orphanage where my friend and climbing partner Sherpa Ang Pasang’s children now live in Kathmandu. Ang Pasang, a Sherpa who assisted my own summit of Everest in 2005, was killed in an avalanche later that year while assisting others. His children now live in an orphanage in Kathmandu, as their mother is financially unable to care for them. Their mom lives in Caracola, a remote mountain village high in the Khumbu Valley a significant distance from the orphanage. It has been over a year since children visited their mother. With assistance from HOP, we will visit the orphanage that houses 85 children. We will bring school supplies and supplies that the 85 children can all use at the orphanage. We will also participate in the visit your village program. Three children – Gyaljen Sherpa 7, Pasang Sherpa 10, and Lhakpa Sherpa 12 – will then fly with me into the Khumbu Valley and we will trek with them to again see their village and, most importantly, visit their mom and relatives. We hope to continue this program with more children in the future.
In June, HOP will accompany World Wide Trekking during two trips to Africa. After each trip up Kilimanjaro, our groups will visit Dr. Charles at the Usa River Medical Clinic, which services more than 15,000 people. HOP will bring several duffel bags of medical supplies and donate them to the clinic. Following our second trip, I plan on staying for an additional seven days, during which time I will assist in making improvements to the clinic, employing area help for the task, and engaging locals on planning for the future. We have hopes to help develop this medical clinic.
As always, HOP depends on the generosity of others to fulfill its mission, and your support is both needed and appreciated. HOP is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization recognized by the IRS, so all donations are tax-deductable. While HOP is funded by private contributions, HOP also collects dental, medical and school supplies for transportation and delivery to those in need. Regardless of the size or kind contribution, your support is greatly appreciated.
It takes but little effort to make a difference to people in need. Please consider making donation to Human Outreach Project. A letter for tax purposes acknowledging your contribution will be returned shortly to you.
Thank you, sincerely!