Solukhumbu, December 15

Various organisations are coming forward to help the children, who lost their fathers in the deadliest avalanche on Mt Everest in 2014.

At least 16 high-altitude climbers, who were the only breadwinners of their families, had been killed when an avalanche struck them while carrying loads above the base camp near the icefall section of the world’s highest peak on April 18, 2014.

“More than 40 schoolchildren were affected after they lost their fathers,” recounted Mingma Sherpa of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, Namche.

Sherpa, along with his friends, had founded the Everest Sherpa Foundation with the aim of helping  the children of deceased climbers of Nepal after the tragic incident. “Sherpa Nepalhilfe, in coordination with Everest Sherpa Foundation, is helping 39 children for their education,” said Sherpa, who has 20 years of experience in mountaineering expeditions and trekking in the Himalayas.

“A social worker and medical practitioner Mathias Baumann from Germany is also providing financial support to these children,” said founding vice-president of ESF. Each child gets 300 Euro annually for their children, informed Sherpa, who has been leading Climbalaya Everest North Ridge Expedition since 2015.

According to him, some of the children are currently studying at Thame lower secondary school in Namche. All the 39 children will get financial support till they turn 16 years old.

“The bereaved families were able to send their kids to schools after getting support from Sherpa Nepalhilfe, along with Everest Sherpa Foundation,” said Ang Pasi Sherpa. Her son Urgen Tshering is getting financial support for his education from ESF. Besides, the foundation also offers support to needy families in Khumbu. Sherpa said ESF had distributed relief in the remote areas of the mountainous district during the time of the 2015 earthquakes.

“Being a professional climber, it’s my responsibility contribute to society’s welfare,” Sherpa said. Sherpa has climbed Mt Everest 10 times and Mt Cho Oyu 12 times.