What Gabi did for Phaplu and Khunde

Earlier this year, Gabi emailed us from Sydney. She was planning a trek through the Solukhumbu in April and wanted to know what the hospitals at Phaplu and Khunde actually needed.

The hospitals sent her the specifics: scrubs (sized for the staff), gloves, wipes, some regular medications. She raised the money from friends and family in Sydney. She tracked down a manufacturer in Kathmandu for the scrubs so she didn't have to push anything through customs. The rest of the supplies she bought in Nepal once she landed.

She dropped a load to Phaplu on her way in. A few days later she made her way up to Khunde with the rest. The photo above is her with the Khunde team outside the hospital. Two duffel bags' worth.

And then, because she still had money left over after buying everything, she split the remainder between the two hospitals. Most she sent online as a direct donation; a portion of Khunde's share she handed across in cash on the day. All up: $942.50 AUD to Phaplu, $342.50 AUD to Khunde.

Gabi, thank you. You did this exactly right, and Phaplu and Khunde are better off for it.

This is the kind of support we hope to see more of. It shows up in many forms. If you've got something already in motion (a trek you've booked, an event you're planning, a community you'd like to rally) that could become a way to back the schools and hospitals we work alongside, we'd love to hear from you.