- AddressG21b, The Pier, Pier Point Road, Cairns QLD 4870 Australia
Nepal Trekking Guides
In 2018, I first became involved with Take On Nepal quite by chance. I agreed to join a friend on an All Women’s Trip to Everest Base Camp. This was an unusual choice for me as I have hiked, paddled, traveled and adventured independently for my entire adult life- my tertiary qualification in Outdoor Leadership meant guided trips were a rarity. My involvement with the associated charity (Friends of Himalayan Children) further spurred me on and I found myself signed up with Take On Nepal for a 5 day visit to Batase Village followed by the 12 day Everest Base Camp Trek with close to 20 other women.
Our two day trek to Batase was a delightful walk through the lives of the Nepalese people. Furthermore, the trip to Batase Village was a terrific insight into the connection between the Friends of Himalayan Children Charity (FHC) and the trekking business Take On Nepal. Batase Village is home to the vast majority of Take On Nepal Guides and more importantly the home to a hostel that supports 45 children. The FHC hostel children have no parents or come from severely disadvantaged homes that cannot look after them. Our guides, an even mixture of young men and women have come through the support of this hostel and are now employed by the Take On Nepal trekking company. Young women are especially encouraged and supported in this industry to break some of the tragic practices of forced child marriages, slavery and lives with little opportunity. Our young guides, both male and female did a brilliant job! The Everest Base Camp Trek ran smoothly. Through the tough times and joy the guides and porters were by our sides. They kept us safe. They kept us entertained. The entire group made it to base camp…rather than saying we conquered, I’d prefer to say we all jumped through the window of opportunity…and were enriched for it.
Fast forward 2 years and I am delighted to say I am still attracted to this brilliant connection. I have been involved with the FHC charity sponsoring a child, helping coordinate newsletters and fund raisers and now a committee member.
Not long after my 2018 to Everest Base Camp Trek, Som Tamang (FHC/Take On Nepal founder) asked if I would be willing to help deliver an Outdoor Leadersip training course for the Take On Nepal guides. Som’s dream became a reality in early March this year when four of us Tim Trehearn – Outdoor Leadership Expert, Marika Rogers -International Guide, Angus McColl – Literacy Expert and I found ourselves in Batase Village delivering a 10 day Outdoor Leadership Course. The 20 students in attendance keenly participated and worked tirelessly through topics including Client Needs and Expectations, Conflict, Ethics and Professionalism, First Aid, Risk Management, Minimal Impact and Sustainability.
The course was a delight to be part of. We worked in the Batase Library (Thanks Christina Lee for making this possible) as well as applying the information practically in outdoor activities, walks and games. These young guides have grown and developed exceptionally since I last trekked with them in 2018. Take On Nepal invests in their guides through good wages and continuous training. More than anything, I can see how this group is more than a collection of employees. They are a family. They have all come from exceptionally difficult circumstances and they endeavor to support each other for self improvement and the improvement of the Take On Nepal trekking name. Take On Nepal is a trekking company with a difference. They are doing a brilliant job developing safe, competent, compassionate young guides and I would certainly encourage any visitor to Nepal to use their services if they are looking for a trek with a difference!
