Damage to prayer wheel

The earthquakes and aftershocks that recently shook Nepal caused considerable damage to many parts of the Khumbu, home of the Sherpas. The village of Khunde is Ang Temba and Yangzing’s home village. The sister villages of Khunde and Khumjung are places remembered fondly by BAI trekkers and climbers. Khunde suffered terrible damage to its monastery and to the beautiful stupas that welcome us to the village. The BAI community has already responded generously to help some of our Sherpa friends rebuild their homes. Now it is time to remember the community as a whole.

Damage to monastery and stupa

Normally, the local people would maintain these cultural monuments themselves, but due to their own dire situation, they are not able to do so. These cultural monuments are the foundations upon which the Sherpa community is built. The Sherpa people draw their sense of cultural and spiritual identity from these religious and communal hubs. So any further support towards the repair and reconstruction of these structures would be very much appreciated.

Damage in the village of Khunde

A message from the people of Khunde

Khunde Chamkang Monastery is located in the beautiful landscape of Khunde. Gyen Lama known as Tenzing Tsrultim initially founded the hermitage when he migrated to Khumbu from Sakya Monastery in Tibet.

Monastery in Khunde

Khunde Chamkang was established in hopes of preserving and fostering the ancient religious and cultural heritage of this location. Gyen Lama passed away in September 1993 leaving behind the Chamkang in incomplete condition. Over its lifespan, the Chamkang was extended several times.

Restoration committee in Khunde

Thus far, the restoration committee, which was formed after the earthquakes, has been successful in raising funds from the Sherpa communities worldwide including some organizations like Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation (SEHF), Himalayan Trust Nepal and we were able to do well in-terms of restoration of the Chamkang. The funds have been invested primarily in the first phase, which is the physical construction of the Chamkang.

There is much work to be done to the monastery

However, because of the high cost for the labor and the materials that need to be imported from Kathmandu, the committee is still seeking more support from national and international institutions in order to complete the proposed plan.

KKERG’s Future Plan

The beginning stages of the building has begun

Khumjung & Khunde Earthquake Rebuild Group (KKERG) is now seeking further support for the community buildings in these two villages. So far we have not seen any interest or resources allocated in the repair and reconstruction of cultural sites such as monasteries, Chorten, Manilhang and Mani walls from the government or aid organizations.

Berg Adventures Support for KKERG Cultural Site Fund

The generous donations from several BAI clients went directly to helping Khunde rebuild the structures. It has been a good start to the restoration process. Though it will be a long process, the immediate support from our trekkers and climbers is important in helping the village rebuild.

After receiving news about the support that the Berg Adventures community was sending to the village of Khunde, the people of the village were overwhelmed and extremely grateful. They would like to say THUCHEYE, thank you very much!

The village of Khunde says thank you!

By sending our support to the village of Khunde we are giving the Sherpas hope for the future of their village, their people and their cultural and religious identities.

For the next few weeks, as the rebuilding begins, we will be receiving updates from Ang Temba and the people of the Khunde so we can follow their progress.

Once again the village of Khunde thanks all of you for the amazing support and they hope to see you soon!