Donation to Pemba and family
Simple caring for a family
Gyalgen was a sweet, generous man who died in 2016 and now Pemba and the three children, Lhakpa, Dorje and Pasang have lost the sole bread winner, yet Pemba can't work full time as she needs to take care of the family. Here is how you can help them out.
The photo above is from 2009.
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A shared house
Gyalgen with his wife Pemba and family lived with me in Kathmandu since the late 1990's, and during this time I gave them rent-free living and mostly paid for the kids schooling, in return for them minding the the house-storeroom while I was away. Lucie Fenton and later Kris (Pippa) Schmitt also helped the family out while staying in a spare room - thank you!
Gyalgen Sherpa
Gyalgen studied as a monk in Taksindu Monastery because his mother couldn't afford to send him to school, and indeed that is where his mother lived her last years and died. She also lived with us for a while but her squawking drove Pemba up the wall. I think she was a bit senile then.
I first met Gyalgen through Langtang Ri in perhaps 1994 and he trekked with me most memorably around Dhaulagiri, a particularly tough trek where Gyalgen and I carried all the supplies ourselves. He also worked for me on many Everest treks including with my mother.
He ended up living with me because one day he came around to my simple flat of the time and I was sleeping on a thermarest on the ground, nover having made the time to shop, and he went out a bought me a bed and mattress with his own money. His generosity was genuine, he really didn't care about money, perhaps partly from his Buddhist teachings.
More to come...
The children
Lhakpa (Lhakpa Nuru born 2057/2001) is the oldest, Dorje (Mingma Dorje born 2060/2003) in the middle and Pasang (Pasang Yangzom born 2066/2009) the youngest.
Phuru Ngima and Chopi
Pemba's sister is also a solo mother with a daughter, and while she has menial work with enough to live, I have also helped with Chopi's school fees sometimes and will continue to.
No administrative costs
I will bear all the transfer costs of getting the money to them, and keep these to a minimum. Note that we are not a registered charity or US 501(c) so you can't claim on your taxes (and nor do we take out any operating costs or salaries :).
I keep details of donations on a Google Spreadsheet, please ask for access.
Pemba's contact details
Her mobile number: +977 984180497-three (spam prevention) although I would not suggest calling unless you have previously met.
Jamie and the delightful front doorstep with one of the neighbouring kids, Pasang, Dorje and Lhakpa- 2011
Pasang and Lhakpa - 2016
To donate
Please contact me directly.
Donation thank you's
[Previously] Lucie Fenton
[Previously] Kris Schmitt
[Previously] Marcy Berkman
[Previously] Nicola Tsang
04 Apr 2017 Ranjan Banerji - schooling
Nicola Tsang
Sam Palsmeier
Thank you