ram

Denise and I met Ram on our first trip to Nepal in 1984. He
had come to Kathmandu to work for a trekking agency run by
a friend from a neighboring village. Ram started like everyone
else in the trekking business, as a porter. He taught himself
English and worked his way up to the position of head cook
for large groups and expeditions.

Our trek in 1984 was Ram’s first as a guide. We took one porter
(Ram was both cook and guide) and all that we could carry for
a month in the Himalaya and set out. After a few initial
mis-steps (which included losing our porter for a night) we
settled in to a fun, grueling, breathtaking month of
adventure. We slept in schools, ate Dahl Bhaat until we had
our fill and explored first hand the many cultures of the
Himalayan foothills.

Since that first trek we have spent many more wonderful
months on the trail with Ram and have recommended him to
many others who have marveled in his love for his country.
His enthusiasm for trekking and his country never ceased to
amaze us and as fate would have it after knowing each other
for 13 years his first son was born six weeks before ours.

Unfortunately during the last 6 years of civil unrest in Nepal
trekking has hit an all time low, a situation which looks to be
improving. During this time we felt we could not just turn
our back on Ram and his family. We asked what his greatest
concern was. It was that without work he wouldn’t be able to
send his children to school. So, with the help of our manager,
Chunta, in Nepal we found a Nepali boarding school that
would take Ram’s now two boys. We cover the annual room
and board and school fees for them. If Nepal is to break this
cycle of poverty it will need an educated population. Ram was
not only thinking of his children but of his country as well
and it is the least we can do to help Nepal grow and prosper.