Nepali journalist Subina Shrestha’s moving speech and challenge to sharply expand the work of our trafficking prevention program in her home country drew hundreds of new visitors to our blog this past week. We welcome you!
We’re excited this week to share a few stories from world-class mountaineer Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita, and notes of appreciation from members of STOP Girl Trafficking’s alumnae community, students enrolled in upper grades, and other women in projects funded by the American Himalayan Foundation.
Among Nepal’s most celebrated young climbers and advocates for girls’ education, Pasang has summited Mount Everest, K2, and others among the world’s most challenging peaks.
One of National Geographic magazine’s 2016 Adventurers of the Year, she lost close friends in the 2014 avalanche that killed 16 Nepalis not far from where she stood at Everest Base Camp. A year later she helped organize rescue missions after devastating earthquakes shook her country, killing 9,000.
From the talk by Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita at the SGT fundraiser (photo above) last month in San Francisco:
“In 2008 I came to USA, and I felt so good here because I see women working everywhere, women treated equally.”
“And then I went back to Nepal, started a women’s expedition. I got the opportunity to go to K2, which has names like ‘Killer Mountain’ and ‘Savage Mountain.’ “
“When I said I wanted to climb that mountain, there were so many people saying, ‘Oh my god, this woman is crazy now.’ If a male goes to K2 that’s fine, that’s great. But if you are a woman going, you are crazy. It took me five months to convince my husband. I don’t think there’s any man who has to convince their wife to climb.”
“So I continued my dream, I continued doing this. Now I’m a full-time mountain guide.”
“In my lifetime what really helped me is the education I have. Because of that education, I have the confidence to pursue and achieve my goals, even in a male-dominated society. Without education there is no future.”
“There are so many girls in Nepal who don’t have a future. I think that if something can change, it is education.”
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These notes of appreciation were gathered by our foundation staff from former and current SGT students and others in AHF’s network of services for women in Nepal:
Dr. Shilu Shrestha, surgeon at the Hospital and Rehabilitation Center for Disabled Children
“[AHF support] has made me an orthopedic surgeon with many visions, from a shy and unconfident woman.”
Sancha Maya Tamang, alum
“Even though I was born in a family/community where daughters are not sent to school, I got support which enabled me to gain knowledge. Because of this knowledge, I could save myself from risk factors and now I am able to protect more girls who face such risks.”
Bhawana Karki, alum
“I received tailoring training… and with a loan have opened my own shop. This skill has made me independent and self-sufficient. I have realized that if a woman is financially secure she becomes confident.”
Laxmi Chaudhary, alum
“AHF not only supported my education, but also encouraged me to pursue my dreams. I also received training and am working as a social mobiliser for my community. I’m empowered to work for women’s rights.”
Tahira Khatun, Grade 12, studying education
“I belong to a community where girls’ education is thought a worthless effort. Among five siblings I am the only one who has gone to school and feel capable and confident. This is only because of the support that I have been receiving from AHF.”
Lakdoma Sherpa, Grade 11, studying management
“Without the support that I have been receiving, it would have been impossible for me to continue my education and most probably I would have become victim of early marriage.”
Pinki Sarki, third-year studies to become a nurse midwife
“I consider myself fortunate to be a part of AHF and STOP Girl Trafficking. I’m thankful for becoming an independent and successful woman as a midwife, the first in my community.”
Laxmi Giri, staff member of local NGO
“I have become independent and am able to be a good manager and run a local organization because of AHF and STOP Girl Trafficking. Thank you AHF for the guidance to transform me into a strong woman.”
Indira Lama, support teacher
“AHF has made me independent and has given me an opportunity to be a voice against women’s violence in my community.”
Aruna Timilsina, support teacher
“AHF made me understand that a country can prosper only by empowering women. I have become a strong woman and am able to work for girls to make their life better. Thank you…for making my dreams come true.”
To learn more about Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Akita, please visit: http://adventureblog.nationalgeographic.com/2016/02/04/pasang-lhamu-sherpa-akita-adventurer-of-the-year/
To see a fuller set of testimonials from the SGT network and other projects for women supported by the American Himalayan Foundation, please visit: https://www.himalayan-foundation.org/blog/2017-03-08-when-girls-win-we-all-do
Photo credit: Gordon Wiltsie
Richard Blum
Thomas C. Hayes
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