“On a Mish” #438 Ten Years of Nepal. Aotearoa New Zealand to Nepal and Back Again. 26.10.2015. It is crazy to think that ten years ago I went to Nepal for the first time. Initially I went with the Active Hearts Foundation Whanau to see how we could help after the devastating earthquake on the 25th April 2015. Along with helping a bro (Mr Dan Bus-Keys), and of course the people in need in Nepal, I was also ticking off a location on my ‘places to visit before I die’ list. Little did I know that after ten years of Nepal I’d still be going back for more each year…
Apart from my hip and back injury (which coincided with the Covid crisis), I have been going to Nepal on a yearly basis for ten years. Every trip has been different to the last, and every time I have been I have left wanting to come back ASAP. Luckily, I am part of a charity foundation whose work with children and the less fortunate is continuous in remote parts of the mountainous country.
Along with the incredible sights that go with a mish to Nepal, I have also cemented friendships with my Nepali brothers and sisters that require yearly (at least) catch ups. Along with the founder of ‘Active Hearts’ Dan, the people of Nepal are some of the most generous and caring humans I have ever met, and the members of our team are the pick of the bunch. Their enjoyment and unwavering love for their country is inspiring and a huge force pulling me back each year. A real dream came true when I was joined by my parents on a trip in 2023. They have done a huge amount to help out the foundation so it was AWESOME to show them the place they had shown so much love for during the last ten years.
A more recent drawcard is seeing the repairs and improvements made since the earthquake destroyed so much of the country. The place was a real mess when I first arrived, with buildings reduced to rubble and simple necessities like schools doing their best to carry on during the tough times. Nowadays the same schools are rebuilt, and in some cases bigger and better than before. The Active Hearts Foundation’s work is really starting to shine through in the regions that we work in. To say that I am proud to be part of the team is a massive understatement!
So, in October I return after ‘Ten Years of Nepal’ and I am as excited as ever to get over there and see what the country has ins store for us next. An adventure to the home of the world’s biggest mountains has always delivered the opposite of disappointment, and I can’t wait to get out into the foothills to see how our friends are doing and where our help is needed next. Dan has never steered us wrong, and I am sure he has some epicness up his sleeve for this mish.
You will find stories about my Nepal trips on my website – www.nzhikes.co.nz – and hopefully having a read about my ten years of Nepal magic will spark your interest in joining us for your own adventure? For any information or inquiries head to www.activeheartsfoundation.org and check out the amazing work the team does for yourself. We hope this will get you over there and before you know it you will be celebrating your own ten years of missions to one of the best places on the planet!
