Increase safety and incomes for Nepal climbers

Mingma Ongle Sherpa and Passang Tenzing Sherpa came to the U.S. this summer on a NOLS scholarship. They spent a month in the Wind River Range working on their English, learning leadership skills and rock climbing. They were top students in the class and will teach their own beginner's course at The Khumbu Climbing School January 2008. We are very proud of them!

Conrad Anker, Director of the Khumbu Climbing School, teaching a course in the classroom at Phortse, Nepal. The students practice on ice climbs (above 13,000 feet) located around the village.

This spring, at the request of the Taksindu Social Welfare (TSW) organization in Nepal (www.taksindufoundation.org) the ALCF donated funds to put a new roof on the Chhulemu Primary School ( Shree Bal Bikash ) near Taksindu VDC. Chhulemu is the original birth place of the late Babu Chiri Sherpa. He received his very basic education A B C D from this old school had a very strong wish to rebuild it.

Saturday January 20th offered us the opportunity to share Losar, the traditional celebration of New Year with the village of Phortse. We hosted a tea to honor 26 elders of the village and spent an enjoyable afternoon learning some history of the region and sharing some joy. (photo by Jennifer Lowe)