KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 31

The Um Hong Gil Human Foundation (UHGHF) recently handed over two ambulances to health posts in Okhaldhunga and expanded school facilities at Kali Jana Jyoti National Basic School (KJNBS) in Batteshwor Rural Municipality of Dhanusha.

The handover ceremonies, held on October 28 and 29, included the attendance of Captain Um Hong-Gil, Executive Director of UHGHF, Jung Byung Sun, Senior Reporter from Korea's Chosun National Daily, and Park Hee Dong, UHGHF's Country Director for Nepal.

The ambulances were donated to Khiji Chandeshwori and Ragini Health Posts in Khijidemba Rural Municipality, Okhaldhunga, in response to an urgent need for emergency healthcare servicesin the area , ensuring that local residents have improved access to health care and timely medical assistance, the statement issued by UHGHF stated.

Local officials, including Gambu Sherpa, Chairman of Khijidemba Rural Municipality, and approximately 150 residents, attended the handover. The ambulance program was part of a partnership formed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on September 29, 2023, between UHGHF, Yonsei Sarang Hospital (YSH), and Khijidemba Rural Municipality.

UHGHF also expanded KJNBS, established in 2014 as part of the foundation's commitment to education for underserved communities. Due to rising enrollment, the school, which serves 350 students, required additional classrooms. Through a partnership with Batteshwor Rural Municipality, UHGHF contributed Rs 13,100,000 of the Rs 15,100,000 project budget, which included the construction of a second floor with seven new classrooms, a library, computer lab, and other facilities, the statement further added.

Former Education Minister Gangalal Tuladhar and other local officials attended the school handover, along with school staff, students, and members of the community.

Captain Um Hong-Gil, the first person to summit all 16 of the world's highest peaks above 8,000 meters, founded UHGHF to support education in Nepal. Since 2009, UHGHF has built 18 schools across Nepal, benefitting approximately 8,000 students.