KATHMANDU, MAY 27
In a momentous ceremony held today, the Um Hong Gil Human Foundation (UHGHF) officially handed over a hostel building to the Chiwong Monastery Sangey Trust (CMST).
The event, attended by approximately 200 individuals, including notable personalities such as Captain Um Hong-Gil and Namgel Jangbu Sherpa, marked the culmination of a long-awaited reconstruction effort.
The hostel building, which had fallen victim to the devastating earthquake of 2015, had posed considerable challenges for the monks, pilgrims, and the local community. Its destruction had disrupted the daily rituals of the monks and impeded their access to Buddhist teachings. Recognizing the dire need for reconstruction, CMST approached UHGHF, which conducted thorough feasibility studies until 2018. Subsequently, UHGHF committed financial support and, on February 27, 2019, formalized its commitment through a signed agreement with CMST.
The newly erected two-story building stands as a symbol of resilience and progress. Featuring ten rooms, a multipurpose hall, six separate toilets, and three bathrooms, it aims to provide comfortable accommodations for the monks of Chiwong Monastery. Additionally, it will serve as a resting place for pilgrims during the Mani Rimdu Festival and facilitate the monastery's spiritual programs and mass preaching. UHGHF holds the belief that the construction of this building will contribute to the global dissemination of Buddhist ideology. Presently, the structure houses 40 monks and six adult monks.
The construction process, which commenced in 2019, endured various challenges and was ultimately completed in 2021. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the scheduled handover ceremony had to be postponed until today. The total cost of the project amounted to NPR 22,435,105, with the generous contributions of NPR 15,714,006 (70%) from Every Goodday and UHGHF, Korea, and NPR 6,721,098 (30%) provided by CMST.
The event witnessed the presence of esteemed guests from Korea, including Mr. Kim Woiyong, CEO of Yongbang Logistics, Ko Young Soo, CEO of Saehwa Hitech, and Park Mun-Sik, a former army general of the Republic of Korea. Their attendance underscored the significance of this collaboration between Nepal and Korea.
UHGHF, founded by Captain Um Hong Gil, has been actively involved in charitable endeavors within the education sector in remote areas of Nepal since 2009. With a primary focus on supporting community schools through infrastructure development, the foundation aims to ensure access to quality education for all. Captain Um Hong Gil, a renowned alpinist and philanthropist, spearheads the foundation's noble mission.
