BACKGROUND TO SCHOOL PROJECT

(Rongbuk Tibet School Building Trust Fund)

Himalayan Experience Ltd has been operating expeditions to Everest, Cho Oyo and Shishapangma in Tibet since 1994. During this time the owner of Himalayan Experience Ltd, Russell Brice has had to deal with many of the local Tibet people. Through interaction with the local people Russell has found many interesting and intelligent local Tibetans, who have shown an interest in learning how to improve their knowledge of hygiene and language and how to improve their living standards.

As Himalayan Experience has operated an Everest expedition every year since 1994, it was felt that the company should put something back for the local people who help to make these expeditions safe and successful.

PROCESS

In 1999 Himalayan Experience employed two local yak men as staff in the kitchens at advanced base camp and base camp. Both of these men are still employed by Himalayan Experience, and a firm bond has been established between them, other Tibetan locals and Russell.

Karsang, the man working at advanced base camp showed an interest in learning how to climb. So, during this expedition Russell taught him various mountaineering skills and took him to the North Col (7,066m). The following Autumn season Karsang went to the summit of Cho Oyo (8,201m) and then during the Spring season of 2000 he went to the summit of Everest (8,848m), thereby becoming the first local man from the Rongbuk valley to summit Everest. The following Autumn he then went to the summit of Shishapangma (8,012m) to further his experience.

Chuldim, the man working at the base camp has no interest in mountaineering, however he has since been elected by his village to be their head man, and apparently has been so popular that he has been re-elected for a further 3 year term.

Also in 1999, a German woman Helga Hengge reached the summit of Everest on the Himalayan Experience expedition. She then went on to write a book about her experiences, and all proceeds from this book sale she wanted to inject back into the local Tibetan community.

It was decided that there was enough money to build a 7 room school in the village that Karsang lived in. This village call Tashidum received approximately $15,000 from Helga Hengge to make the initial construction of 7 classrooms plus a room for living quarters for the teacher, and a playground and toilets. Himalayan Experience has subsequently provided approximately $5,000 for furniture and teaching material, as well as supplying various books, pencils and footballs. This school has a permanent Tibetan teacher who teaches Tibetan, Chinese and English.

FUNDS

Because of the remoteness and difficulty in communication, it is not possible to transfer funds or to talk to these people via normal channels. It is for this reason that Russell has been the conduit for the transfer of funds. Money collected for these projects has been taken as cash to Tibet where it has been handed to the responsible people of the village concerned, always in the presence of one of the Monks from the local Rongbuk Monastery as a witness. The funds have always been receipted, and have only been passed in stages as the development has progressed. This has been in the following format, an initial payment for foundations, then for the main construction, followed by a payment for the furniture.

CONCLUSION

Tibet is a very closed nation, many people have heard about the Chinese in Tibet, but few have experienced just how hard it is to live in this country. The Chinese Central Government is spending approximately $5 billion a year on Tibetan infrastructure, which includes roads, water supplies, telephone communications, solar and hydro electrical supplies, schools and hospitals. But, despite this tremendous effort to help develop Tibet to a higher standard of living, small out of the way villages like Tashidum and Pangi are a long way from benefiting from the Central Government. It is only with the help of small projects like the building of schools that these people have a chance to progress, learn better hygiene, have a better way of life, can learn the importance of looking after the environment, and have a chance to learn to read and write.

Your help is much appreciated.

Russell Brice (Managing Director - Himalayan Experience Ltd)