Journey to Nepal
By Nelson Daily Staff
In the spring of 2010, two families — the O’Neills from Winlaw and the Doells from Rossland — went on a journey of connection to Nepal.
These families each have teenage children who were born in Nepal, one of the poorest countries in the world. The purpose of their two-month journey was to reconnect their children with their birth families and with the communities of their birth.
Two of the children were born in the Kathmandu area, one in the remote Tsum Valley, and one in the more well-known and traveled Solu Khumbu (Everest) area.
On Tuesday, Nov. 9 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Winlaw School, Slocan Valley Recreation is pleased to host Journey to Nepal, the first of a series of presentations around the region where these two families will offer a inspiring multimedia presentation of their travels.
Through research, the O’Neills discovered the Tsum Valley was in a general position of need, suffering from drought, catastrophic crop failure, and political tension.
They organized donations of care packages, first aid supplies, clothing and food to be taken up to the Tsum with them. It took seven days of trekking to reach their destination.
Similarly, the Doells organized warm hats for school children at the Sir Edmund Hillary School, and medical supplies for a hospital in the Everest region, where they trekked for many days. Both families trekked to these two areas at the same time, and took many amazing photos.
As well as the presentation there will be items from Nepal on display and some will be available for purchase. Admission will be by donation and the funds raised from the evening will be going towards the Tsum Valley Community in Nepal.
For more information, contact Slocan Valley Recreation at 226-0008.
