This is one of our porters - Gelsyn
He is 20 and is one of 4 children and his oldest brother is 23. His mother is 36 - that's right she was married at 12 and had her first child at 13.
He has never really been to school due to his family's circumstances.
He has been a kitchen boy, a porter, a guide and his ambition is to become a climbing Sherpa - this is well paid work and will give him a future.
Of course he needs to learn the necessary mountain skills and most importantly he needs to learn English properly.
He had tonnes of charisma and is very entertaining and given the opportunity could really make something of his life.
His goal is to work at Everest Base Camp for 3 months next season as a kitchen boy and porter - this is bloody hard work.
For 3 months work (7 days a week) he will earn about 40,000 Nepalese rupees - that is less than 400 pounds.
With this money he plans to go to Kathmandu in the monsoon season (summer 2012) and learn English.
At the end of the trip I am going to surprise him by giving the money to the Head Sherpa and getting him there this summer.
It is incredible how much a small amount of money can make to someone's life - I know we talk a lot about how these little amounts add up but they really do make a difference.
Go Go Gelsyn!!!
Good on you Mate.
ReplyDelete