Dechristo Posted June 21, 2005 Posted June 21, 2005 In this past year, I have learned of an organization that I believe everyone, who love the mountainous regions of this planet, should support. http://www.mountainfund.org/ I encourage everyone to take a look at the website and consider joining in support of this streamlined, efficient organization. Take a look at the board of directors: solid people involved. Take a look at the member agencies: people who are accomplishing constructive improvements in remote areas. The Mountain Fund: Developing the capacity of grassroots efforts in the world's mountainous regions. Give it a look. Quote
Dechristo Posted June 22, 2005 Author Posted June 22, 2005 Mountain Fund At It Again! KFK - IMEC Join Forces For Porters Kathmandu, Nepal Mountain Fund Member Agencies Karing for Kids-Nepal and International Mountain Explorers Connection are executing a memorandum of understanding that will greatly add to the services delivered to porters in Nepal. Karing for Kids (KFK) operates a health clinic in the rural Tamang villages of the Rasuwa District. International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC) has been a global leader in porter assistance programs since 1996. Under this agreement, KFK and IMEC have moved into space together in Thamel, Kathmandu and will begin immediately to cooperate on programs for porters. KFK's nursing staff will offering free annual health check-ups and health advice for porters. Both KFK and IMEC will be co-teaching English classes and first aid. The text chosen for the first aid classes comes from another Mountain Fund Member Agency, IPPG and Treksafe. Jim Duff and Jim Gormly authored this much needed trail-smart first aid guide. Pocket First Aid and Wilderness Medicine is published in Nepali making it an invaluable teaching tool. KFK and IMEC are seeking donations to purchase enough copies of Pocket First Aid and Wilderness Medicine to ensure each class participant has a copy of their own. If you can help out and purchase a few copies, please e mail us at Mtnfund@mountainfund.org to make arrangements to purchase a copy or two. You may also logon to http://www.treksafe.com.au and take a look at the book for yourself. It is published in English, Japanese and Nepali. You shouldn't be in the wilderness without it ! Porters work very hard, they are paid very little and often taken advantage of by unscrupulous operators. In many locations around the world, trekking and climbing would not be possible for a great many people without the hard work these people do. If you would like to learn more about the plight of porters please see the following Mountain Fund Member Agencies websites IMEC at www.hec.org IPPG at www.ippg.net Porters Progress at www.portersprogress.org Kilimanjaro Porters Union at www.kilimanjaro-union.com PS - The picture on the right was taken near Annapurna. That is a real porter at work. The man did not pose for this e-mail. spacer (1K) Quote
Dechristo Posted July 2, 2005 Author Posted July 2, 2005 June 2005 The Mountain Fund Newsletter Working Everyday in the World's Mountainous Regions to Help Those Who Need it Most Greetings! Welcome to the third issue of The Mountain Fund News. This issue is packed full of information for and from the Members of The Mountain Fund. If you are new to The Mountain Fund, we are grassroot Nonprofits and NGO's who have joined together as The Mountain Fund to help the people of the mountains all over the world. Inside this issue is exciting news from Nepal, Central Asia, Africa and South America of the work being done every day in the world's mountainous regions by the Member Agencies of The Mountain Fund To ensure that you continue to receive emails from us, add mtnfund@mountainfund.org to your address book today. News from ProWorld Service Corps from Anne Connolly Chicon Eco-Tourism Project in Peru Chicon Project in Peru The Chicon Eco-Tourism project is a Micro Business project in Peru. Chicon is a traditional village in the Chakihuayqu valley, just outside Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of Peru. The project aims to provide the young people of Chicon with English, First-Aid, and computer and business skills so they become more active in the economic development of their town. Several adolescents in Chicon, due to lack of financial resources, are unable to extend their academic study beyond primary school and do not have the skills to market tours of Chicon or fundraise for them. Since June 2004, ProPeru volunteers have been working with the members of the youth group assisting them in developing tours of the queunal forests in Chicon. Tours range from moderate trails to challenging treks through the forests which are home to many rare plants and animal species. The forests are some of the most endangered areas in the Andes because they are the source of firewood for the inhabitants of the high altitude areas. Volunteers also have constructed a biological station, an ecologically safe bathroom, and wood burning stoves. They are currently building a kitchen so staff can prepare local Peruvian food for hikers and tourists. Helping the youth of Chicon develop promotional materials is also an important part of the eco-tourism project. Volunteers have distributed brochures and posters for Haku Trek - the name for the eco-tourism hikes in Chicon. They also have created a web site and hope to establish working relationships with larger tourist agencies in Cusco. Their success could greatly benefit the future economic health of the community, transmit important knowledge and skills to the younger generations, and help preserve the forests and land in Chicon. See More on Proworld's web site Global Humanitarian Expeditions News by Kim Balaz Programs Expanded GHE Logo Global Humanitarian Expeditions is excited to announce that we are expanding our programs in 2006. Projects to be added include: Restoring an ancient Buddhist monastery in Western Mongolia that was destroyed during the soviet era; Working on a bio reserve in the Galapagos, eradicating plants that were introduced to the island; and working with indigenous people in the Amazon to teach organic farming. Check out our website for more information. And come out and join us on a service tour. Global's website link Kilimanjaro Guides and Porters Union by Joseph Nyabasi PORTERS TRAINING AT MACHAME Kili Guides Logo The Porters training at Machame Kilimanjaro is one of the programs that Kilimanjaro Guides and Porters Union has worked hard to achieve. Different teaching methods have been adapted to make sure that the porters can learn to speak English become better able to communicate with people we are working with. Special thanks goes to Mama Shakira who is a Headministress of Nkwamwasi primary school (where the classes are held) Miss Anderson and Bene who are American volunteers and International Mountain Explorers connection (IMEC) who has contributed to this training. We have also opened a new office (branch) at Kilia village, which is 8km from Machame gate to enable Porters meet and share ideas and meet clients instead of coming all way long to the base in Arusha. Want to learn more? ... Mountain Fund Raises Over $20,000 for Member Agencies by Mountain Fund Over half way to our goal this year ! Mtn Fund Efforts Last 6 Months While our official opening was in May, just a month ago, our dedicated staff has been working hard since the first of the year to deliver on our commitments to Member Agencies. Our first year goal was to return ten times the annual membership fee to our Member Agencies. Thanks to Molly and Alex working hard, we've already made tremendous progress. Here is the results to date. * $3600 New Porter Protection program in Pakistan * $6500 Healthcare in Rural Nepal * $5200 Clinic in Rural Nepal * $3350 NOLS Scholarship for Alpine Fund Graduate * $1600 Airfare for NOLS Scholarship - Alpine Fund In addition to cash raised, we've been busy helping our Member Agencies in non-cash ways as well. This past month we helped IMEC lease new office space in Kathmandu and to partner up with Karing for Kids in that space to provide expanded programs for porters in Nepal. The two organizations will now be working together to teach First Aid and English classes to porters. Karing for Kids will also be providing a free annual health check up and tips on how to prevent injury while working to porters in Nepal. This is the kind of progress we can make together. This is why when we speak in One Strong Clear Voice we can make things happen. This is why you support The Mountain Fund. See more at... Sustainable Travel Report by Sustainable Travel International Minimize the Impact of Travel STI Logo In 2004, a record number of 760 million people traveled on business and for leisure. And there is an increasing demand as air travel prices fall and remote corners of the world become increasingly accessible. Among the most severe environmental effects of travel are the carbon emissions from airplanes at high altitudes, which contribute directly to global warming. The tourism industry has made great strides to address some of the environmental problems associated with travel, however the industry and consumers have yet to become fully aware or responsible for the environmental impact their air travel emissions cause. The basic notion behind sustainable tourism is a pragmatic one - where there's a public will, there's a market. Many travelers would rather their trip abroad had a minimal effect on the environment and culture (s) of the country they're visiting. But tourism does have inherent impacts. However, with the possibility of offsetting our air travel emissions, the tourism industry and consumers have the ability to minimize much of the environmental impacts caused. Through STI's MyClimate program, travel companies can generate revenue while offsetting the carbon emissions that result from their clients' and their employees' air travel. Non-profits, corporations, and consumers can directly offset their impacts as well. Learn more ... Tools for our Member Agencies by Mountain Fund DeskNow creates a virtual Mountain Fund community DeskNow Logo The Mountain Fund has added a powerful new communication tool to our website for the use of Member Agencies. DeskNow provides a space to hold online discussions, upload files to share and review, instant message other member agencies, share ideas, share success stories and collaborate on projects of mutual interest. DeskNow is a great way to communicate to your Board Members and staff. Each member agency will have private space for message boards, address books and calendars as well as access to message boards and instant messaging to all of The Mountain Fund Member Agencies. With the implementation of DeskNow, much of the information that we think is important to you will now be found on group message boards inside DeskNow. Whenever we post a new grant offering or have some important contacts to share with you, we'll send an e mail directing you to check the message boards in DeskNow. To get signed up for this free service, contact mtnfund@mountainfund.org today. Acces to Desk Now is on our site... Boulder Newspaper Covers Mountain Fund from the Boulder Daily Camera By Corey Dahl, Camera Staff Writer Mountain Fund Board Member Featured in Colorado News Kevin Cooney Boulder resident Kevin Cooney has climbed all over the world, from Nepal to Peru. Now he is giving back to the mountain communities he has enjoyed for so many years. Cooney, 49, is serving on the board of directors of the newly established Mountain Fund, an organization that helps nonprofit groups serving mountain communities. The nonprofits' causes range from health and dental clinics in Nepal to outdoor programs for inner-city youth. Through memberships starting at $30, the Mountain Fund raises money for these nonprofits and also helps them coordinate their efforts. Members receive gifts such as posters and magazine subscriptions for joining. "We're looking for help from the mountain community to give back to some of the areas we've been fortunate enough to enjoy," Cooney said. "These places influenced me a lot in my life." The fund was started by Scott MacLennan of New Mexico, who served on many of the nonprofits' boards and witnessed the difficulties they had raising money. "My experience has been, these grass-roots people get a lot done; they just have a hard time getting noticed," he said. "This is a way for us to focus attention on a lot of people who have done a lot of good work." Since starting last year, the fund has raised a little more than $20,000 for its member organizations. Boulder resident Scott Dimetrosky is the executive director of International Mountain Explorers Connection, one of the nonprofits served by the fund. His organization works with porters in Nepal and Africa, teaching them English and first aid, and loaning them clothing and gear. He said the fund is a great idea. "As small nonprofits, we often don't have the resources like a lot of large groups," he said. "So it's helpful to get together and bounce ideas off of each other. By working together, I think there's a chance we'll be able to increase our fund-raising capabilities." Cooney, whose own nonprofit - the Anatoli Boukreev Memorial Fund - is part of the fund, said he hopes the organization can make a difference. "It's a little thing really, but little things add up," Cooney said. This Newsletter is now online, along with past issues Become a Member Today by Mountain Fund Support for The Mountain Fund logo The Mountain Fund is 100% supported by individuals like you. It is only through your membership that we are able to continue to provide support to the Member Agencies of The Mountain Fund. Please join today, Be The Mountain ! There are many great premiums offered on our website for becoming a member. They Include; * Free one year subscription to Climbing Magazine * Free one year subscription to Rock and Ice magazine * Free one year subscription to Alpinist magazine * Free TWO YEAR subscription to Alpinist * FREE cool Alpinist Poster Join TODAY right here News from IPPG by Jim Duff International Porter Protection Group for IPPG IPPG is now eight years old and 2004 has been another year where we saw changes happening in the porter world, with a global awakening of people to the importance of ethical tourism. Here are a few events I would like to mention: I have been contacted by an Australian who runs trips in Papua New Guinea/Irian Jaya pointing out that while the number of porters in Papua New Guinea is small, the steady growth of trekking and local operators is reproducing all the woes seen elsewhere. We need to enlist a rep for that area. I have received a copy of a letter sent to a Spanish trekker by Rupa Maya Jirel, the wife of his porter friend. She is distraught after her husband died coming back from a carry into the Meera peak area. How he died is unknown but the odds are he is yet another victim of altitude illness, trying to make his way back alone having been paid off. What is clear though is the profound effect his death has had on his wife, children and relatives. Without support and often with no insurance, a bereaved family is plunged into a precarious existence when the breadwinner dies. In the Karakoram (Pakistan) five porters drowned while carrying loads across a river. Also in this region there is increasing friction over the definition of the daily stages on which payment is based. On a brighter note, in Tanzania the Kilimanjaro Guides and Porter Union are operating its own treks, and in Peru Porteadores Inka Nan are now well established. Kul Bahadur, who lost his feet to frostbite while working as a porter (Kul featured in the BBC documentary Carrying the Burden), has now bought a teashop near Pashupatinath (Kathmandu) with the help of a sponsor, and is slowly gathering his family back around him. Last for not least, the Machermo porter rescue post is now running each trekking season and the porter shelter construction is under way, courtesy of CAN (Community Action Nepal - UK) and the generous support of our donors. More than ever I am convinced that ethical tourism that puts a reasonable percentage of profits back into the host country is a powerful way to make a difference to developing nations and avoid aid dependency. PS. Since I wrote this the situation in Nepal has changed dramatically with the King's coup. While the political situation is unstable, the poor will suffer the most. IPPG hopes that all parties will come to a peaceful settlement where the government reflects the will of the people. Read on... Truth about NEPAL - Editorial by Scott MacLennan Safety Warnings Chase Away Tourists and Hurt Nepalis map of nepal We are entering a small village on our way from Kathmandu to Langtang. We haven't seen any other hikers for two days, except for the guy from Belgium who started this trek about the same time as we did. In the doorway of every guest house and restaurant a Nepali calls out to us to stay with them, eat with them. We are the only prospects for business they have seen in days, if not weeks. This once popular trek is all but abandoned. People in the villages we have come through are desperate. There are so few tourists on this trail that the local people, who for many years served the trekking industry and welcomed visitors to their country, can no longer make a living. What happened? What can be done? What is the truth about safe travel in Nepal? Starting in 1995-1996, the politics of Nepal fostered a group called the Maoists, after China's Mao Zedong. (click on the map of Nepal for more on the Maoists) Since 1996 there has been armed conflict in parts of Nepal between the Maoists and the Nepalese Army. There have been some cases of trekkers being stopped on the trail and asked to "donate" to the Maoist cause. In extremely rare cases, tourists have been injured as collateral damage from conflict between the Maoists and the Nepalese Army. Our government, along with other governments, has taken an extreme position with respect to travel warnings in Nepal. One look at the list of other countries with similar warnings tells the tale. Along side Nepal are Iraq and Iran, The West Bank and Gaza of Israel, Pakistan, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia to name a few. According to a website called TrekInfo.com "To date no tourists have been harmed by Maoist groups, though several trekkers have been asked for donations, with suggested amounts ranging from Rs 1000 to US$100." The Australian travel warning on Nepal states "Maoists have approached foreigners, especially trekkers, demanding money, cameras and satellite phones." So why is Nepal on the same list as the world's most dangerous places? Since 1996 approximately 8,000 people have died in Nepal a country of 23 million as a result of this insurgency. No deaths should be tolerated, but let's put this in perspective. Compare the reports about crime in Nepal to our own fair land. The figures below come from the Bureau of Justice Statistics web site. * 20 out of 1000 people are victims of violent crime * 150 out of 1000 households suffer crime against property * 19 out of 1000 people are assaulted each year * 5.6 per 100,000 people will be murdered each year * There are about 16,000 murders a year in the US with Washington DC "the murder capital" leading the way with 260 plus murders last year ! Maybe Nepalis should be warned about travel to the US? Nepali people have, for many years, opened their hearts and their homes to us. The economy of Nepal staked its future on our visits and built hotels and restaurants in anticipation of our coming. The people of Nepal need us to come back and support them. Our 12-day trek this year was uneventful. Uneventful that is unless you count beautiful scenery and delightful people as eventful. In Nepal that is just normal. So what is the truth about why the government has taken such a hard-line position on Nepal and placed it on a list containing the top ten terrorist sites in the world? I will leave it to the reader to form his or her own opinion but, I offer the following quote from the State Department travel warning for Nepal as one possible explanation. "The Department of State has designated the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" organization under the "Terrorist Exclusion List" of the Immigration and Nationality Act and under Executive Order 13224. State Department warnings here... Dawa Sherpa to ride his bike for Karing for Kids Clinic by Mountain Fund A man on a mission Girl and child Nepal From The North Face web site Dawa Sherpa is a one-man expedition and an extraordinary example of human determination. Dawa grew up an orphan in a remote Nepali village. Today, at age 37, Dawa speaks seven languages fluently, has reached the summit of Mount Everest numerous times, and is one of the region's most respected lead guides. Dawa plans to mountain bike the length of Nepal and traverse the high-altitude passes (over 50 of them - all over 5000 meters) in two four-month stints (Spring 2005 and Spring 2006). He does so in the name of his 8-year old son, Gelu, who suffers from cerebral palsy. "I want to show my son that he is the source of my strength, and ideas," Dawa says. The North Face has adopted Dawa's record-breaking adventure, because it believes that endeavors like this inspire the human spirit, and because it endorses the powerful message of Dawa's trek: to raise awareness of cerebral palsy, a debilitating disease that affects many worldwide. Dawa calls his trek a peace walk, because his Himalayan homeland is stricken with poverty and by Maoist terrorist rebellion in the mountainous backwoods. He hopes his journey will raise attention to Nepals problems, and that it will help to unify Nepalease people in peace. To support Dawa, The North Face is providing funds and equipments, and it is working with philanthropic partner Global Giving to fund Karing for Kids Medical Clinic in the remote Rasuwa district of Nepal. This is an adventure with a heartfelt message that could touch the lives of people throughout Nepal, and worldwide. I had the pleasure to meet Dawa a month or so ago at the Hotel Tibet in Kathmandu. Dawa is energy personified. He is deeply committed to his son and to making this incredible athletic endeavor his personal statement to Nepal. Please help support Dawa in his quest. Click on the learn more here link below. You can also access more about Dawa's expedition and the many good causes The North Face supports at www.TheNorthFace.com. Send Dawa your personal note of thanks and encouragement. Send us an e-mail to Mtnfund@mountainfund.org with the subject of "Dawa" and we'll forward it to him. Learn More Here... Virtual Activist Course On-Line Net Action Logo Net Action has made available an online guide to training The Virtual Activist. What is a Virtual Activist course? It is a great online class covering the most effective ways to use e-mail campaigns to attract attention to the work your Nonprofit or NGO is doing. Look for the URL on The Mountain Fund's DeskNow discussion boards. Cost of Class: $FREE Learn More Contact Information email: mtnfund@mountainfund.org phone: 800-743-1929 (ask for Scott) web: http://www.mountainfund.org Join our mailing list! - - Sponsor this newsletter - Reach Hundreds ! In just 2 short months our subscriber list outgrew the capabilities of our former newsletter system and we've had to upgrade to a more costly one. If you or your company would like to help us with those costs and have your name and logo here in return. Please Contact Scott at Mtnfund@Mountainfund.org. - - Quote
Dechristo Posted July 19, 2005 Author Posted July 19, 2005 Announcing Trek 4 Good Free Charity Trek Listing Service Hosting a trek for a charity? Would you like to go on a trek to support a charity? Either way, the new service from the Mountain Fund can make it happen. The website is called www.trek4good.org and you can post your trek offering or your dream trek for free! If you are a guide or trek leader this is a great FREE way to promote a fund raising trek. If you have always wanted to take a trip and support charities at the same time, post your desires and a company that offers your kind of trip will contact you. If you are a charity and want someone to host a fund raising trek for you, post that too! Thanks and Keep Doing Good. The Mountain Fund Scott MacLennan The Mountain Fund email: mtnfund@mountainfund.org phone: 800-743-1929 web: http://www.mountainfund.org Quote
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