25 Apr 2016
A year on from the quake, the dust in Kathmandu and the surrounding countryside has well and truly settled. Anyone who has been to Nepal and met the incredible people who make up this country will not be surprised at their stoic, even cheerful attitude and the sheer industry with which they have applied themselves to the task of rebuilding and restoring their lives and livelihoods.
“It's been a difficult 12 months. The extensive media coverage has dented business for the Nepal tourist industry, but 2016 is the year to visit before its gets busy again. We'll be running a full programme across the country from Kangchenjunga in the East to Dolpo in the West and of course the traditional routes of Everest and Annapurna.” - Fiona Marshall, Head of Product, KE Adventure Travel
Saturday 25th April 2015
It was a dark day for all of us at KE. We were first alerted by Satish, one of our main contacts in Nepal, calling KE Director Tim Greening at 7:30am. News stories followed this reporting that there had been a devastating earthquake close to Kathmandu; at that stage we had no idea of the scale of things. Desperate for more news, we immediately tried to contact our agents and friends in Kathmandu. The phone lines were down, and communications were difficult, but we managed to establish that our staff were safe, as were all of our clients. It was apparent that there was significant damage to buildings and infrastructure and there would be immense disruption. With groups due to fly to Nepal that very day, we scrambled to make phone calls to those who were about to board planes, in one case we only managed to reach two of our clients as they were about to leave the departure lounge to board their flight!
The main trekking area of Everest was back to normal within a few months and the Annapurnas hardly suffered at all. Even the worst affected areas of the more popular treks, Langtang and Rolwaling are now ready to welcome visitors this autumn.
In March 2016, Prince Harry travelled to Nepal for an official 5 day Royal visit and then stayed on for another 6 days, working with a local community to rebuild a school damaged by the earthquake. While in Nepal Prince Harry trekked into the foothills of the Himalaya. His tweets during the tour give us an insight into what the experience meant to him:
“You have to come and walk in the foothills of the Himalayas - watching the sunrise there is something I'll never forget”.
At the end of his visit the Prince said: “Living in such dramatic scenery clearly has an effect on the Nepalese - such calm, friendly people and so much love to give. Note to self - visit again!”
>> Watch video messages from our partners in Nepal, describing the situation right now.
KE Director Glenn Rowley reports on the Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund - £100,000 raised
With our client's incredible generosity, we've so far raised a staggering £100,000 alongside our partner charity The Juniper Trust. This has been invaluable for initial aid and longer term development. The Rebuilding 10 Schools project evolved soon after the earthquake and we're still fundraising to get them all finished. We are very excited to announce that three of the 10 schools are now complete and the rest are well on their way.
“We are pleased to report that three of the ten schools are now completed and the other seven are very close to being finished. Unlike some of the larger aid agencies we have been able to move very quickly by using your donations directly on the ground in Nepal. KE and the Juniper Trust have made sure that 100% of the money raised, goes either to the materials or to local labour which also benefits the communities”- Glenn Rowling, Director KE Adventure Travel,
>> Full details about the Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund and progress so far
In December 2015, the Juniper Trust also launched the 'Sponsor a child in Nepal' appeal. It hopes to sponsor 1200 children, providing them with school uniforms, winter coat, shoes, bag, books and pencils. A single donation of just £20 will help Juniper Trust reach this goal.
-ENDS-
For further details on Nepal - One Year On read >> Full Timeline of Events and contact Fiona Marshall, Head of Product. 017687 73966, marketing@keadventure.com.
