WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A HERO NEEDS A HERO?

  URGENT: On top of decimating the travel industry that is the backbone for many occupations in Nepal, the COVID-19 outbreak spilled over from India and the situation has reached a critical level.

Even for those who have so far avoided the virus threat, the situation has turned dire.

Covid-19 has obliterated the pillars holding families and even entire communities together.

Basanta Adventure Treks and Expeditions (BATE) employs 16 guides in Nepal. They are our lifeline in one of the most demanding environments on Earth. They are our cooks, our porters, our paramedics, our comedic relief.

Most importantly, they are our companions.

Their families depend on them and their income. This means nearly 70 people at serious risk of poverty, homelessness, and starvation!

One day the world will recuperate. But for these 69 people, it won't be fast enough.

Mount Everest has two windows of time per year for climbers. We have one small window of time to save our brothers and their families from destitution.

BATE have supported these key staff members and their families/dependents for over a year by paying them a reduced salary. They have borrowed money and raised additional funds from clients and friends. But now these funds have been exhausted and the company faces closure before the end of June 2021. Then, all 16 staff will be laid off.

If we want future opportunities to push our boundaries and explore the Himalaya for ourselves and our children, we need these guides. Right now, they desperately need us.

So what can we do?

But we can't do it alone. We need YOU to help avert the crisis for these families!  

And this help is two-fold:

1. Donate - help be a hero for our Nepalese team and their families: Dambar Rai, "DB" Jirel, Kalpana GC,  Kancha Tamang, Kunchok Lama, Netra Magar, Nore Tamang, , Pasang Sherpa, Pemba Sherpa, Ritem Shrestha, Sagar Tamang, Siddik Kunwar, Sonam Sherpa, Sonam Tashi, Tanka Prashad Adhikari, Thakur Tamang, 

2. Share - Their need is urgent. Your power comes not only with your donation but who you tell about it. Scroll up and choose one (or all!) of the many options to share our story with your community, and empower them to be a hero to our heroes. 

In return, we will share updates with the stories of exactly who you are helping to survive this year. Be sure to check your email and that "Updates" tab for more information.

News Updates on the current situation in Nepal:

The BMJ Opinion: Why we cannot ignore Nepal’s covid-19 crisis

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Who are we?

Basant Bajracharya, Managing Director of BATE

I was so proud when I set up BATE in 1998 in honour of my Nepali father and Tibetan mother both of whom sadly passed away a few years ago. Over 20 years we developed a reputation for professional, first-class and very personal service to our clients as well as going the extra mile in training and looking after our employees. Until COVID struck we were one of our country’s leading boutique trekking agencies.

The COVID pandemic has completely devastated tourism in Nepal. And just when we thought that the end might be in sight, the virus has re-emerged with a vengeance. Thanks entirely to the generosity and compassion of our clients, friends, and extended family we have so far been able to keep our core staff on reduced salary thus avoiding layoffs. But now the accumulated donations, savings, and business loans have been depleted and we cannot survive for more than a couple of months at best. Hence this appeal for help on FundRazr.

Nepal is a very poor country with no social safety net so in major crisis families and businesses are for the most part left to their own resources to survive. I have no doubt that you too have suffered during this global crisis but I am hoping that you may find compassion and generosity in your heart to help us through the year ahead.

Adrian Gordon, UK & Canada

The team at BATE have organized all my trips for the past 7 years…I first trekked in Nepal in 1969 with one porter/guide. Since then I have trekked over 3500 miles and twice climbed to 7000m on Mt. Everest in 1975 & 1982. So I have a lot of experience in dealing with trekking agencies in Nepal…BATE have organized my last seven trips and are the best organizers, companion and friend I could wish for.

Nepalis, some known as Gurkhas, have had an enormous influence on me. They have saved my life on at least two occasions, fed me, opened their hearts, and shared their homes with me on all my Himalayan adventures. So this crowdfunding campaign is a small way of showing how  much these wonderful people and their culture, and stupendous mountains, mean to me…

Will you help me rescue the rescuers?