Dear Friends of Himalayan Hands,

It’s been a long and difficult time for so many since we connected with you prior to Covid. We’d like to take this opportunity to give you a brief update on how Himalayan Hands and some affiliated individuals have been supporting those in need in Nepal, Tibet, Peru and Thailand.

So many of our friends and Himalayan Hands team members are in the travel business and their work and income came to an abrupt stop in March of 2020. And, to this day, work and income remains almost non-existent. It’s almost impossible to imagine they have had no income for two and a half years. And no government assistance of any kind.

Pre-pandemic Himalayan Hands was dedicated to providing education to girls, sponsoring an Orphanage near Kathmandu with 45 children, building water wells in impoverished communities, providing solar panels to allow those communities to have electricity, supporting Tibetan refugees in India, and more.

The pandemic ended education in most countries so we chose to put our resources to use in providing food and basic necessities to our HH Team, their families, and those around them who were without food, water, clothing, and sometimes housing. We couldn’t imagine that level of suffering from people who were earning a solid middle class living before Covid. With no job, their savings depleted, no support from their government or NGOs, no medical insurance, we attempted to give some hope and support through distributing funds from HH and even from our own funds. Several of you joined us in sending support monies to Nepal, Peru, and Tibet and we thank you for that.

As of today tourists are very slowly returning, schools are opening, and there is some hope for a better tomorrow.

But it is believed that it will be mid 2023 before tourism returns to minimal levels and 2024 before it returns to pre-pandemic levels. While tourism to Europe and Central America is booming, travel to Asia and South America has yet to begin in earnest.

Lynne and I traveled to Nepal and returned to the US just two weeks prior to the shutdown in 2020.  We hope to return sometime in 2023.

As school is starting again in Nepal we are requesting your support in any amount you can give. The average cost prior to the pandemic was around $350 per child but we do not yet know what costs will be going into the next schools year. We will continue to support the orphanage with food, clothing, medical help, and basic living needs—just recently we provided mattresses to replace thin, and sometimes non existent mattresses at the orphanage.  

We can assure you that at least 95 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to help the children. We have no administrative expenses that are charged to Himalayan Hands.  

To help, please donate.

Thank you so much!

Lynne, Jim and our Board of Directors – Phyllis, Emilie and Arlene.

Himalayan Hands helps to educate Nepalese children. The cost for educating a child for one year is $350.

If you are unable to sponsor a child on your own, please consider asking friends to share in educating a child.

Himalayan Hands is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our seven member board of directors includes a President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The board is made up of people who have either traveled to the Himalayan region or have an interest in helping people there.

LYNNE’S STORY – HIMALAYAN HANDS’ FOUNDER
Lynne Wiggins has had a passion for leading small travel groups for over 25 years and has travelled “off the beaten path” in Tibet and Nepal.

Lynne saw the plight of people in need of basic medical care, an education for their children, and clean water and good food. On one trip to Tibet, Lynne and her fellow travelers funded a new school and medical clinic in a small village. On another trip the group was able to support bringing water and electricity to a tiny town. In 2014 Himalayan Hands evolved out of these accomplishments with the hope of continuing to be a small organization making a big difference in people’s lives.

PRABIN’S STORY – OUR ASIAN CONNECTION

Prabin Lakhe and Lynne met on one of the Lynne’s trips to Nepal and Tibet. As Lynne’s professional travel guide, Prabin shared Lynne’s passion for seeking out those who could use a helping hand. He and Lynne saw many opportunities in rural and remote areas and informally helped in any way possible, from providing a water well to funding a good education.

During the recent Nepal earthquake, Prabin and his friends used Himalayan Hands funds to purchase corrugated metal sheets and drove deep into the countryside. They worked for weeks assisting villagers in building small shelters until the home could be rebuilt (in coming years). As our connection in Nepal and Tibet, Prabin ensures that 100% of every dollar is maximized for the greatest benefit of those who have otherwise been forgotten.

If you would like to contact Himalayan Hands for more information, please complete the form below.