"If there was a way I could contribute to the well-being of the Sherpa people, what do you believe that would entail?"
-Sir Edmund Hillary
Following the successful ascent of Mt. Everest on May 29, 1953, alongside Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, Sir Edmund Hillary was not inclined to embrace a life of constant celebrity. His journeys in Nepal and close connections with the local inhabitants in the mountain
ous regions, especially around Everest, instilled in him a profound admiration for Nepalese culture and its people. Despite his appreciation for the romantic allure of the landscape, Sir Ed remained aware of the genuine social challenges faced by the Nepalese, residing in a small, impoverished nation overshadowed by two larger neighbors. During one of his visits to the Everest region, Sir Ed posed the aforementioned question to one of his Sherpa friends: "If there was anything I could do for the Sherpa people, what do you think that would be?" The response from his Sherpa friend struck a chord: "Burra Sahib, our children have eyes, but they are blind and cannot see. Touched by this plea, Sir Ed promptly initiated fundraising efforts and established the first school in Khumjung in 1961. The success of the Khumjung school and its positive impact prompted requests from neighboring villages for Sir Ed to replicate the initiative. Responding to these appeals, Sir Ed continued to build schools, hospitals, and various other projects, eventually founding the Himalayan Trust as an official non-governmental organization in New Zealand in 1963. This organization, registered under the New Zealand Charity Act, aimed at improving the lives of the Sherpa community and the people of Solukhumbu. Sir Ed's humanitarian endeavors garnered support from a global network of partners and donors, including The Himalayan Trust New Zealand, Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation of Canada, American Himalayan Foundation, Hillary Foundation Chicago, Sir Edmund Hillary Stiftung Germany, and The Himalayan Trust UK. Upon local requests, Sir Ed contributed to the construction of 27 schools, 2 hospitals (Khunde and Phaplu Hospital), numerous village-level clinics, Lukla airport, bridges, and freshwater supplies. Additionally, he played a role in implementing the Sagarmatha Forestry Project, as well as the maintenance and rebuilding of monasteries. These initiatives were executed under Sir Ed's direct leadership through the Himalayan Trust New Zealand, with close coordination from the advisory committee of Sherpa friends in Kathmandu until his passing in 2008. The advisory committee later transformed into Himalayan Trust Nepal, registered as a local non-governmental organization in 2005. The primary objective of Himalayan Trust Nepal is to enhance the quality of life in the Solukhumbu district through integrated development in health, education, environment, and culture, aligning with Sir Ed's vision and programs. HTN is a local NGO of Solukhumbu, registered at the CDO office (Reg. No. 87, Solu), and affiliated with the Social Welfare Council.
