Australian Himalayan Foundation | Non-profit organisation

Australian Himalayan Foundation

Phone: +61 2 9438 1822

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25.01.2022 Missed out on our SOLD OUT Ten Aussie Peaks trek? Check out these stunning photos from previous trips, thanks to mountain guides Zac Zaharias and Mike Edmondson. And get in touch if you’d like to be first in the know about the next trek. Peak Learning

25.01.2022 In the remote Solukhumbu region where stable internet and electricity are rare, how have school students been able to continue their education during COVID? Watch our distance learning video to see how the Australian Himalayan Foundation is partnering with REED Nepal to ensure education is possible for every child. With your support, we have been able to respond in really practical ways to COVID-19 in the Himalaya. Your donations help build resilient communities and sustaina...ble change - help us continue by donating! https://school-of-the-air.raisely.com/

23.01.2022 We’ve all discovered the true meaning of ‘flexibility’ in 2020. Sonam, project manager with our partner organisation RENEW told us that’s no different in Bhutan. ‘There has been a drastic change in my life compared to before the pandemic,’ Sonam said. Like us, he adapted to many new things: face masks, hand sanitiser, and less time with family and friends. The pandemic also complicated Sonam’s work. Sonam manages education programs for disadvantaged children at RENEW. The pan...demic prevented him from visiting the office to access key documents. Sonam's year in a sentence? ‘My plans have all been altered and adjusted to fit the current pandemic'. He hopes there will be a vaccine soon. AHF will continue supporting RENEW in Bhutan. We will continue to help women and children affected by family violence during COVID and beyond. Our programs don’t stop!

22.01.2022 Feeling disconnected from loved ones? So is Keshav, who works with our partner REED Nepal supporting teachers in the Solukhumbu region. ‘COVID has widened the gap between us,’ he wrote of his family, who live far away in Western Nepal. He worries about the safety of his children, parents, and wife. ‘I am badly missing them.’ Like many of us, Keshav’s job has also drastically changed during COVID. With schools in lockdown since March and little stable internet, AHF has distrib...uted radios and workbooks to students to help them with broadcast lessons. Adapting to this new way of communicating has meant Keshav’s team is extra busy. ‘The staff and me have been designing, recording, [and] editing the radio lessons which was completely new for us,’ he said. ‘But after a rigorous hard work and practice, we are used to it; and have been improving ourselves day by day.’ We are very thankful for partners like Keshav and REED working to maintain the quality and availability of education in Nepal! AHF works in partnership with @dfat’s #ANCP to provide our education programs in Nepal. Find out more at www.australianhimalayanfoundation.org.au

19.01.2022 On Friday, we received the very sad news that the wonderful Jan Morris had died. What an amazing life she led - one to be celebrated as fully as it was lived. She was a beautiful descriptive journalist, travel writer, historian and novelist; a fascinating, vibrant, pioneering person; sweet but steely, sensitive but tough; so so funny; and always willing to share her life and experiences: she’ll be sorely missed at the PyG - Pen Y Gwryd - and many other places with her stor...ies of the 1953 Everest Expedition and many other topics and themes. She was always a great supporter of the Australian Himalayan Foundation - she well understood our spirit, purpose and inspirations: Ed Hillary’s humanitarian work, and our love for the people of the Himalaya. At the successful peak of the 1984 First Australian Everest Expedition, I (fortunately) imitated her famous and canny 1953 Everest action in sending back by code to the newspaper her news of the ascent. And I have many other wonderful abiding memories of her, including a beautiful chat Christine Gee and I had with her after the State Funeral for Ed Hillary; and of course talking to her about, and reading, her wonderful books. R.I.P Jan. - Simon Balderstone, AHF Chairman

19.01.2022 Big news for Nepal with the government announcing trekking will open from October 17.

18.01.2022 On World Humanitarian Day, it’s more important than ever to support our neighbours both here in Australia, but also around the world in places hit harder than most by the COVID-19 pandemic. Want to lend a helping hand? Simply pledge your support to stand in solidarity with our vulnerable neighbours across the world, including those in the remote Himalaya, Nepal and India. It’s a small action that will do the world of good for those in need at this difficult time.

18.01.2022 Oceania Connect 2020 was held this week by Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) - a chance for NGOs, research institutions and other civil institutions across the Pacific region to come together. AHF Head of Programs, Corinne Stroppolo, and Program Manager, Celia Paoloni both attended the virtual conference. Corinne reported on thought-provoking sessions on shifting power and resources to local organisations and 'decolonising' aid. Some questions raised in...cluded How do we become the facilitator and enabler of our local partners? How do we support them to ensure they can become financially independent, developing their own reserves so that they don't collapse if we leave? How do we promote genuine collaboration and recognition of each other's knowledge and expertise? AHF is having those important discussions with our partners in the Himalaya, building on the trusts and relationships developed, identifying areas they want to strengthen and looking at ways they can become independent. Celia spoke about "the absolutely massive impact that COVID has had [with] loss of income and closure of schools leading to more children being put to work; an estimated 24 million children have dropped out of school FOR GOOD" during this year according to UNESCO reports. These are some of the conversations that keep us engaged and passionate about our work in the Himalaya. AHF will continue collaborating with our local partners and their communities to provide access to education, improve health outcomes and support environmental conservation. Find out more on our website www.australianhimalayanfoundation.org.au

18.01.2022 AHF Ambassador and award winning travel photographer Richard I'Anson spoke with Art Wolfe and Parimal Deshpande about their shared passion for photography, India & Nepal. We think you'll enjoy it!

17.01.2022 We’re so inspired by these fearless Nuns who live at Amitabha Drukpa Nunnery in Kathmandu Valley, which is home to more than 800 Buddhist nuns who practice Martial Arts in order to empower women. These women are just some of the many that inspire us in the Himalaya!

17.01.2022 As countries such as Bhutan and Nepal renew lockdowns, the effect of pandemics on women is profound. School closures historically affect girls more than boys - they are less likely to return to education. Teen pregnancies rise. Domestic and sexual violence rise. And more women die or experience complications of childbirth, either because they cannot travel to hospital, or because resources are diverted elsewhere. One report published in the Lancet shows Nepali hospital birth... rates have halved, with women staying home to give birth. Neo-natal mortality rates during the same period have increased by 50%. The pandemic is not kind to any of us, but we need to shore up our girls. That’s why AHF’s education programs focus on gender. We give families the support they need to keep girls in schools.

16.01.2022 Missing the big wide world?? Zac Zaharias, 3 time Everest summiteer and Australian trekking legend, wants to share the beauty and challenge of Kosciuszko National Park with you on an AHF fundraising trek! Zac's November trek SOLD OUT just days after opening, so get in quickly to grab your spot on the December trip. The Ten Aussie Peaks trek is your choice of 2-4 days of hiking, with accommodation in comfort at Thredbo. ... DATES December 4-8 COST $500pp (2 day) $750pp (3 day) $1,000pp (4 day) It's the most fun you can have in a weekend. https://www.australianhimalayanfoundation.org.au//ten-pea/

15.01.2022 Dreaming of a mountain getaway?? Spend a few days in the spectacular Snowy Mountains with one of Australia's most renowned mountain guides. Zac Zaharias is running the AHF Top Ten Peaks trek, 4 days of day hikes while staying in motel comfort in Thredbo each night - the best of both worlds! Trekkers raise funds for our work in Nepal, India and Bhutan. ... There are still a few spaces on the December trip, but get in quickly to secure your spot! See more

15.01.2022 It’s great to see India focusing on carbon reduction at the same time as job creation!

13.01.2022 Some stunning photos of the Western Australian bush, courtesy of Mark Morrissey. Mark is cycling solo from Albany to Perth across WA to raise funds for our Nurses for Nepal program. With our partner Action for Nepal we are giving remote communities access to basic health care and health education. Keeping families safe and well in Nepal! You can donate to support Mark here - he's almost at his $5,000 goal!!... https://nursesfornepalcycle.raisely.com/ See more

11.01.2022 We are so pleased to announce that we have signed a further 3 year agreement with our partner RENEW in Bhutan. Since 2011 AHF and RENEW have been working together to provide support so that vulnerable children can go to school. In this new phase, the project will focus on children who are survivors of violence or abuse, who have been abandoned or are orphaned, to ensure they can complete at least up to higher secondary education. A Program Manager has been recruited to monito...r the project in-country and will work in close collaboration with RENEW counsellors. Together with key teachers, they will be provided with additional training to strengthen their expertise in child safeguarding and post-traumatic therapy. This is so that they can provide enhanced care to those very vulnerable children. Enormous thanks to our AHF family for your continued assistance in transforming lives - we look forward to keeping you updated!

10.01.2022 Great to see Mark has made it to Northcliffe! Follow Trek For Waku - one man's 1000km cycle trek to raise funds for our health program, Nurses for Nepal. Mark and his amazing supporters/fan club have already raised nearly $4500 with a target of $7k! Help them reach target at https://nursesfornepalcycle.raisely.com/... We are looking forward to seeing more of the stunning WA bushland in the coming weeks.

10.01.2022 A new road is being built, all the way from Phaplu to Lukla. As outsiders it can be easy to be dismayed by this type of progress, and to romanticise the remote nature of the Himalaya. And it's true, the unspoilt beauty of this area is breathtaking. But the benefits roads bring to villages in the Solukhumbu can be immense - access to medical help, cheaper goods, alternative employment. There are two sides to every road.

10.01.2022 On International Day of Sign Languages, we would like to share again this gorgeous video of Sarada giving her students some information about hygiene and illness prevention. Sarada works with deaf students in our model Namuna school in Solukhumbu, Nepal. With our partner REED Nepal, AHF is committed to providing accessible quality education for ALL students in the region. Sarada’s work is part of our Teacher Training and Quality Education program, supported by Australian Gov...ernment Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Do you know any sign languages? If you are familiar with ASL or Auslan, let us know how much you can understand of the video! #ANCP

09.01.2022 This year, Mark Morrissey was preparing to lead a trek in Nepal raising funds for AHF. Like many of us, his plans were dropped due to COVID-19, and it didn’t look like Mark would be heading anywhere soon. However he had a brilliant idea - in lieu of his annual trek to the mountains of Nepal, Mark is undertaking a solo cycle trek from Albany to Perth. Covering over 1080km on the Munda Biddi trail, Mark will be raising much needed funds for our Nurses for Nepal program, which ...you can find out more about below. Nurses for Nepal provides lifesaving access to quality healthcare for people in remote Nepalese communities. The program is run by Nepalese NGO Action For Nepal with support and funding through AHF. Due to COVID 19 the people of these villages need your support in 2020 more than ever. We will be following Mark as he winds his way through the Western Australian bush, departing 31 August!

09.01.2022 Today, Mark Morrisey begins his epic cycle of over 1000km to raise funds for AHF’s Nurses for Nepal project! Mark travelled to Nepal earlier this year to meet with staff from our partner organisation Action For Nepal. His fundraising for this project lets us provide access to basic health care for families in the remote Himalaya. Mark starts his ride from Albany, WA, and we will be following his progress over the weeks as he rides solo through the Western Australian bush. Follow along and cheer him on with us!

07.01.2022 Recently we asked you to sign a petition to the Australian government to help our neighbours #EndCOVIDForAll. The government has stepped up and responded. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who supported the campaign - and it's not too late to join us, as this campaign will continue into next year.

06.01.2022 Missing the big wide world?? Zac Zaharias, 3 time Everest summiteer and Australian trekking legend, wants to share the beauty and challenge of Kosciuszko National Park with you on an AHF fundraising trek! Zac's November and December treks are both now SOLD OUT, so get in quickly to grab your spot on the February trip.... The Ten Aussie Peaks trek is your choice of 2-4 days of hiking, with accommodation in comfort at Thredbo. DATES February 19-23 COST $550pp (2 day) $800pp (3 day) $1,100pp (4 day) Plus AHF fundraising. A quick, accessible break that will take you away from the everyday.

06.01.2022 Our quarterly newsletter is here! Take a look and find out all the latest AHF news. https://mailchi.mp/768c8c49eef2/yakety-yak-4569070 Want Yakety Yak in your inbox? Subscribe on our website, australianhimalayanfoundation.org.au

06.01.2022 This Nepalese travelling play is opening up conversation around discrimination and child marriage in remote villages. It is exciting to see topics that have often never been discussed opening up, especially for women in rural areas.

05.01.2022 What have you enjoyed about life during lockdown? University student Tenzing Bhuti has enjoyed the break from normality. Tenzing is from Kalimpong, a small town in West Bengal. She told us that with college classes cancelled in India, ‘I am now able to spend time with my family members. We are now able to communicate nicely and bond with each other.’ Tenzing is also a student at Gangjong Doeghar ( Tibetan Performing Arts, Kalimpong). This area has a rich tradition of Tibeta...n heritage. AHF supports Gangjong Doeghar’s programs to help keep Tibetan culture alive. During lockdown, Gangjong Doeghar began a series of online lessons. So Tenzing has been able to keep learning Tibetan music, language and dance with other young people. Visit www.australianhimalayanfoundation.org.au to find out how you can help students like Tenzing continue to practice and celebrate important cultural traditions.

05.01.2022 When life can feel pretty lonely, it’s great to have someone on your side. We are so happy to see Australians campaigning for a better future for ALL. Pledge your support at www.endcovidforall.com

03.01.2022 Today on World Children’s Day, AHF comes together with all generations to reimagine a better world for our children. 2020 marks a year more difficult than ever for young people. Across the picturesque Himalaya, communities are struggling with uncertain and hazardous climate conditions. The future appears bleak for the children who depend on agriculture as their source of income. That’s why AHF is partnering REED Nepal with the Everest Youth Climate Initiative (EYCI). The pr...oject supports eco-clubs for local school students to learn about climate change. Tree planting, red panda conservation, and climate education programs all encourage young people to join in conversations about the future of their world. You can support AHF in reimagining the world for our young people! Sign up for our newsletter, donate or just check out our website for more info.

03.01.2022 With no kids in school in Nepal since March, workers in the Solukhumbu have been able to complete the stage for the Garma Hall. This hall, built through a fundraising project led by Davenport Campbell, allows the whole of Garma school to gather together. It will also function as a community space for learning, and a safe structure in case of earthquakes. It will be great to see the children back in school to enjoy this new space.

03.01.2022 In Nepal, school students have been back in their classrooms since early October. With the country’s COVID cases passing 179,000 this week, AHF continues to work with our partner REED Nepal to keep students safe in the schools we support. AHF is supporting the Australian Government's COVID-19 Development Response: Partnerships for Recovery by helping to keep continuity and stability in students' education. We are supporting Nepal's remote schools to implement guidelines and p...ractical initiatives for safe reopening. Social distancing is not always possible in small schools, but we have been able to supply masks, hand sanitiser and hand washing facilities to try to keep kids safe. Huge thanks to everyone who donates to our work, we will continue to support communities in the Himalaya through COVID and beyond. Particularly we wish to thank Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian NGO Cooperation Program for their ongoing support. For more information on how the Himalaya is faring during COVID, visit www.australianhimalayanfoundation.org.au

01.01.2022 Yesterday, Mark Morrissey reached the final stop on his epic ride from Albany to Perth, raising almost $8,000 for our Nurses for Nepal program! These funds will go to help our partner Action for Nepal provide health care and education to remote communities in Nepal. We are so incredibly proud to have Mark on our team. His grit and determination are only matched by his gentle and meticulous nature. Everything he does, he does well, and apparently that includes riding a mountai...n bike for over 1000km. Mark, you know very well how much this money will do for health in the Himalaya. A huge thank you to you, and to every single person who contributed to your ride. Donations are still being taken, so help push Mark over the $8k line! https://nursesfornepalcycle.raisely.com/

01.01.2022 Today, International Literacy Day focuses on Literacy teaching and learning in the COVID-19 crisis and beyond". Over the past months, AHF and our partner REED Nepal have broadcast radio classes for Grades 1- 8 focused on Nepali literacy, English, Maths, and Science. We have also given out 4,800 school workbooks to help younger children up to Grade 3 to better engage with the radio broadcasts and remote learning. REED Nepal has organised an essay writing and poetry competit...ion especially for the Day, with the lucky winners reading their winning words out on air to the many thousands of students listening! We are proud to partner with Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for our Teacher Training Quality Education (TTQE) program, keeping kids learning in 2020. Our TTQE teachers are also using the workbooks and radio lessons to help their local communities with small classes. #ANCP #AustralianAid