The Partners Nepal Update September 2024
AN UPDATE FROM SIR EDMUND HILLARY ELDERLY CARE CENTER IN BUNG SOLUKHUMBU, NEPAL
THE PARTNERS NEPAL
SEPTEMBER 2024
1. INTRODUCTION
The Partners Nepal (TPN) is pleased to provide an update on the Sir Edmund Hillary Memorial and Elderly Care Center in Mahakulung Rural Municipality-1, Solukhumbu, as of September 2024. The clinic, originally built by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1989, was severely damaged in the 2015 earthquake. In 2016, it was rebuilt with support from the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation, Germany, and Professor Wolfgang Nairz from Nepal Hilfe-Tirol. Since then, numerous donors, including longtime supporter Dr. Les Omotani, have continued to support the elderly care center in Bung.
2. PROJECT LOCATION
Bung, located in the southeast of Solukhumbu at an altitude of 1200-2400 meters, is part of the newly formed Mahakulung Municipality following the recent merger of VDCs under Nepal's new constitution. Around 90% of the population is Kulung (Rai), with the remainder being Sherpa, Brahmin, and other castes. The population is scattered across approximately 900 households, with a total of around 4,500 people.
3. ABOUT SIR EDMUND HILLARY MEMORIAL MUSUEM AND EDLERY CARE CENTER IN BUNG, SOLUKHUMBU DISTRICT
The Sir Edmund Hillary Memorial Museum and Elderly Care Centre in Bung, Solukhumbu, honors Sir Edmund Hillary's legacy. Hillary, together with Tenzing Norgay, was one of the first climbers to reach the peak of Mount Everest in 1953. This center acts as both a museum commemorating his achievements in the region and a facility for aged care in the local community. The center, located in the Solukhumbu district, is strongly tied to Hillary's humanitarian work and represents his long-standing commitment to improving the lives of the local community mixture of all ethnic groups through healthcare, education, and cultural preservation.
4. WHY SUPPORT TO SIR EDMUND HILLARY ELDERLY CARE CENTER?
An elderly care center in Bung, Solukhumbu, is critical to assisting the isolated region's aging population. It provides critical services such as medical care, healthy meals, and a safe living environment, ensuring that the elderly are given the attention and respect they deserve. The center develops a sense of community by allowing inhabitants to participate in social events while staying connected to their cultural heritage. This facility is an invaluable resource, addressing the issues of aging in a region recognized for its harsh topography and limited access to healthcare.
5. THE BENEFITS OF SIR EDMUND HILLARY ELDERLY CARE CENTER
An elderly care initiative in Bung, Solukhumbu, provides major benefits to the local population.
1. Improved Quality of Life: The project offers necessary care and support to the elderly, promoting dignity and comfort. This includes access to medical treatment, healthy eating, and social activities.
2. Community Support: The care center serves as a support structure for families, reducing the pressure of caregiving and allowing younger members to focus on jobs and school while their seniors are well-cared for.
3. Preservation of Culture: The elderly preserve local traditions and expertise. By assisting them, the project contributes to the preservation of the region's cultural legacy, ensuring that valuable customs and stories are passed down through future generations.
4. Health and Well-being: Regular health check-ups and access to medical treatment can lower the likelihood of untreated illnesses among the elderly, leading to a healthier and more resilient community.
5. Economic Stability: Providing care for the elderly in the community minimizes the need for families to seek costlier alternatives, adding to the area's economic stability.
6. Social Cohesion: The project promotes a sense of belonging and respect for the elderly, increasing community links and intergenerational linkages.
6. RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM SIR EDMUND HILLARY STIFTUNG DEUSTCHLAND AND NEPAL HILFE-TIROL
The financial request submitted by The Partners Nepal in October 2015 was accepted by Sir Edmund Hillary Stiftung Deutschland. Wolfgang from Nepal Hilfe Tirol, Austria, then provided matching support. The clinic reconstruction project, jointly undertaken by TPN and Hill Development Conservation Group (HDCG), was completed in October 2017 with financial assistance from both organizations. The Sir Edmund Hillary Memorial Museum and Elder Care Centre was inaugurated on October 16, 2017, under the leadership of Professor Wolfgang Nairz, chairman of Nepal Hilfe Tirol. Following the inauguration, the center was formally registered with the District Development Committee, and a nine-member management committee was established.
7. KEY CONTRIBUTIONS OF PARTNERS NEPAL TO THE ELDERLY CARE PROJECT
The Partners Nepal, dedicated to improving lives in rural Nepal, is a key partner in the Elderly Care Project in Bung, Solukhumbu. This initiative supports vulnerable populations in underdeveloped areas where healthcare and social services are limited. Since 2016, TPN has been able to continue its support for the senior care center in Bung thanks to generous global contributions, particularly from long-time supporters Dr. Les and Barbara Omotani. The Partners Nepal continues to assist the elderly project in various ways. The Partners Nepal provides essential healthcare services to the elderly in Bung, including routine check-ups, medication, and treatment for chronic ailments, in an area with limited medical facilities. They also serve nutritious meals and vitamins, reducing malnutrition and improving overall well-being.
TPN has enhanced the care center’s infrastructure, offering safe living quarters, medical facilities, and social spaces for the elderly. By involving the local community, TPN fosters a sense of ownership and ensures the project is sustainable and meets the specific needs of the elderly.
To secure the center’s long-term viability, TPN aims to build a sustainable model using local resources and community-based support networks. Additionally, the initiative helps preserve the Solukhumbu region’s unique cultural heritage by supporting the elderly in their role as custodians of local traditions.
TPN’s efforts greatly enhance the quality of life for the elderly in Bung, allowing them to age with dignity, respect, and access to vital services.
8. SUPPORT RECEIVED FROM DR. OMOTANI
Since 2023, The Partners Nepal has received support from Dr. Les Omotani, a longtime mentor and International Advisor to TPN. Dr. Omotani has shown great interest in supporting the elderly care center and provided financial assistance. With his generous contribution, TPN has supplied steel closets for securing belongings, as well as extra bed sheets, clothes, pillows, and replaced all beds, blankets, pillow covers and flat Television for them to watch..
9. APPRECIATION
The Partners Nepal and the community of Bung, Solukhumbu, deeply appreciate the continued support from Dr. Les Omotani. The elderly citizens, local representatives, and community members have expressed their desire to welcome Dr. Omotani and his family to the elderly care center in the near future.
Residents of Bung and neighboring villages—Cheskam, Gudel, Sotang, and Pawai—also extend their heartfelt gratitude for his generous financial support to the Sir Edmund Hillary Memorial Museum and Elder Care Centre. The management committee and the elderly have thanked Dr. Omotani for providing wooden closets and new bedding, including beds, sheets, pillows, and pillow covers.
10. THE PARTNERS NEPAL
The Partners Nepal (TPN), founded in 2012, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving lives and protecting the natural and cultural resources of the eastern Himalayas. Its members have extensive experience, having worked together for 15 to 25 years at The Mountain Institute on projects focused on culture, conservation, and livelihoods.
TPN works in partnership with local communities, governments, NGOs, and the private sector to develop culturally respectful programs that enhance people's lives. Over the years, Nepal Hilfe-Tirol has provided funding for various TPN initiatives, including:
The "One Day One Tree" project in Solukhumbu
The elderly care center in Bung
Cultural protection and restoration projects in Solukhumbu
The Langtang Valley reforestation project
A climate change case study of Solukhumbu in both English and Nepali
COVID-19 relief programs in Solukhumbu
School programs for children in Tingla and Necha
Conservation and restoration of community pond