Shortly after forming Mountain Odyssey Treks & Expeditions and going into business with my current Nepalese staff I ran into a problem. Everyone liked the staff so much that they wanted to do more than just tip them when the trek was over. After every trek we received clothing and offers to bring them over to the USA and while this was certainly well intentioned, it was not always beneficial for them.

So the solution was to create the Mountain Odyssey Education Fund. This Fund was an avenue for the good will and generosity of our guests to be funneled into something truly beneficial for our Nepalese friends and the future of Nepal.

Since the beginning, every dollar has gone towards sending the seven children of Pemba (2), Narayan (2) and Gopal (3) to private schools in Kathmandu. However, now the Fund is growing and we have decided to establish 501c3 status for it. We also have some new goals.

1. It costs approximately $150 per child per year for a private school education in Kathmandu. In addition to sending the current seven children to school our kitchen assistant, Ghan Bahadur, has three children who could also benefit from a private school education.
2. Our cooks, Narayan and Gopal would benefit greatly from English classes. This cost is to be determined.
3. Our trekking guides Pasang Sherpa and Ang Geli Sherpa would like to further their careers by attending the mountaineering school in Manang and becoming climbing Sherpas. This program greatly increases their technical skills and earning ability. The cost is $500 each for the 40-day course.

Nepal is a beautiful, fascinating and very poor country with a multitude of social problems and the best way we can help the Nepalese is to offer them an opportunity to help themselves. Education is the way. 100% of your tax-deductible donation goes into their hands. On behalf of the MOUNTAIN ODYSSEY staff, thank you for your generosity.

Dave McNally
MOUNTAIN ODYSSEY