Four Gunnedah residents are teaming up to take on the Australian Himalayan Foundation (AHF) Rebuild Nepal Trek in April 2016.
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Mark and Prue Kesby, Christina Pearce and Jill Hope are busy fund-raising for the expedition, which will see them trek for 18 days, stopping in various places to assist the Nepali.
The charity trek is the result of the devastating earthquakes in Nepal in April, which killed 9000 people, injured 23,000 and destroyed the majority of the country’s infrastructure.
AHF is working in the lower Solu Khumbu (Everest) region to repair and rebuild schools and offer support to families.
The trekking group will assist the rebuild at Tingla and visit other schools supported by the AHF. They will also do some sightseeing.
“Tourism is one of their biggest industries, so it’s important to get tourists back visiting,” Mr Kesby said.
Nepal is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world, with 70 per cent of the population of 30 million relying on agriculture for their livelihood.
A predominantly rural society, the majority of the Nepali live outside metropolitan areas. There are more than 100 different ethnic groups and languages.
“Nepal in the Himalayas has always been on our bucket list, but I guess the idea that we visit real people and real schools and help,” Mr Kesby said.
Each participant is required to raise $1000 to qualify for the trek, so the group is running ham raffles on Friday nights from 5-9pm at the Gunnedah Hotel.
“Every cent raised goes direct to the cause,” Prue said.
For more information on the work of the Australian Himalayan Foundation and how to get involved, visit www.australianhimalayanfoundation.org.au