In recent years, LED has started to carry out basic eye checks in the remote communities Val visits when distributing LED solar lights and medical/school supplies, and while on trek. This has been down to the invaluable guidance and support from “Eye Doctor” Pat Booth who has provided instructions and charts and glasses carefully labelled and packaged.

In November 2022, Pat headed out to Khumbu with Val and a small trekking group. Here’s her write up of the trip.

It was with some trepidation that I agreed to go back to Nepal in November 2022, after missing three years with COVID restrictions. But it turned out to be the best trip ever!

We started off at Chhahari Eco Resort, just outside Kathmandu, as a group of nine trekkers. I got a box of glasses out and showed them all how it works – as most Nepalis and Peruvians have really good distance vision you can give them reading glasses based on their age. The next day four of us went up to Nagi Gompa to check some of the nuns and screen the schoolgirls staying there.

Then up to ‘Remote Khumbu’ via Lukla. One of our first visits was to the hospital at Kunde. They had some donated reading glasses there already but unfortunately mainly too strong; +1.00 and +1.50 suits most people, if you would ever like to bring some along with you. They had an ophthalmoscope (for looking in people’s eyes) that we borrowed as I had had to leave mine behind because of the weight restrictions on the flight to Lukla. The best thing was the news that they had an Eye Camp coming in the Spring to do cataract surgery, so we were able to advise people to come back then.

We then went on to Thame where we were treated to a display of Nepali dancing by the pupils at the school. We were then able to screen all the children who were boarding at the school, using an alphabet poster as a chart. Even the youngest children could do this easily – they all had fantastic vision. We had so many helpers we were able to work in two teams.

In the afternoon we were booked to do eye checks at the Thame Health Post. Again, we were able to work in two teams as we had a retired GP with us who was also able to use the ophthalmoscope. That turned into a long session, and it was getting too dark to see by the end. My scribe was side-tracked by the guides’ and porters’ tales of how many times they had summited Everest and Ama Dablam etc. They would all have been world famous if they had been westerners.

When we were in the more remote areas of the trip, we pretty much did eye checks in every place we stayed. As ever, the people were incredibly grateful for our services. We were all laden down with prayer scarves by the end.

I was re-acquainted with Tsering from my Manaslu trip, when he was a very helpful primary teacher in Sama. Here in Khumbu as one of Val’s team, Tsering did most of my optical translation for me, as well as being my personal porter. From his point of view, he became recipient of my Most Improved Optical Assistant award and graduated to Fully Trained Sight Tester!

The sun is very strong in the mountains and can cause eye damage; Tsering embraced the need for change and we took every opportunity to get people to wear a hat or cap with a brim, and sunglasses if possible, especially for the guides and porters who spent time on snow and ice.

We were in an area near Everest which had a lot of infrastructure supported by The Hillary Foundation, which means there is lots of Wi-Fi – and so lots of mobile phones. There unfortunately seemed to be an associated increase in distance vision problems. So we also encouraged youngsters to follow the 20/20/20 Rule: for every 20 minutes on a screen or device, spend 20 seconds looking at something 20 metres away.

In total we saw over 300 patients, mainly for reading glasses but also some distance, conducted vision screening in youngsters and a basic eye health check. We also distributed some safety glasses (it was alarming to see stone masons at work unprotected) and gave advice to two families whose very young children had squints (not previously diagnosed).

Three of the trekkers also spent a couple of enjoyable hours repairing and servicing some non-functioning solar lights that LED distributes, and we all were amazed by the solar reflecting panels used to boil our tea kettles!

It was such a rewarding and satisfying trip, I had forgotten how much it meant to me to be able to give something back. My heartfelt thanks go to all my helpers, especially the doctor and another trekker who helped me with my Diplomacy Course, as I can be a bit blunt at times!

And, of course thanks go to Val and all her team without whose help nothing would be possible…and for all the extra work ‘Helping With Glasses’ has created. In the end, we had run out of glasses, but were able to keep records and hopefully we will be able to send out what is needed next time.

And thanks to my husband who puts up with all the brainache this creates!

For the past couple of years, during the COVID pandemic, we’ve focused funds into very necessary ad-hoc projects – in particular food distribution – in the remote communities in Nepal and Peru that we support.

With the expectation that Val can get back to Peru and Nepal in 2022, we are hoping to refocus the charity back onto core projects – solar light distribution, education and health development, and we’ve agreed to fund the following projects:

Peru

• Funding the Quishuar Health Post
• Solar light distribution and school supplies (lights specifically in Alpamayo, Piscaraccga and Pischcopampa)
• Mobile clinic

Nepal

• Funding the Rasuwa District Health Post
• Ongoing solar lights and school supply distribution, building on previous years work
• Funding a teacher in Thame
• Mobile clinic

As ever, we’ll be providing ongoing updates via Facebook (Facebook/LEDCharity) and donations are always welcome using our JustGiving page.

In Peru

• Continued to keep Quisuar health post open and stocked with the help of our nurse, and provided transport of all medicines to the area 

In Nepal

• Funded food distribution in Tilje and communities on west of Manaslu area with the help of Somi Gurung
• Food distribution with the help of Tsering Darkya in Samdo 
• Food and medical supplies to Langtang and Rasuwa Solu with the help of The Partners Nepal 
• Food distribution in various villages of Rasuwa with the help of Bhudi Tamang 
• Food distribution with the help of Dr Kami Temba and Yangji Sherpa in Khumbu 
• Tree project reforestation in Langtang area through Ang Rita of The Partners Nepal 
• Continued help with Bung old people’s home
• Completed the solar light distribution project for Tsum and Manaslu area funded by the donation from The Derek Moore Foundation with help from Tsering Darkya, Ang Chhering Sherpa and Bhudi Tamang 
• Delivered medical supplies for health posts and completed a much needed health survey in cognitive development of children in areas of food shortages for a medical project in Tsum and Manaslu area, again with help from Tsering Darkya, Ang Chhering Sherpa and Bhudi Tamang 
• Follow up food distribution in Rasuwa 
• Help for communication / online classes in Khumbu area enabling school students to continue their education during COVID
• Medical supplies to health posts in Khumbu area via Himalayan Trust 
• Thame teacher funding, with Dr Kami kindly organising this for us 

Thank yous

A huge thank you to Melky and Antonia Bedon in Peru for their unstinting help and support in getting all supplies to Quisuar for its continued running and for overseeing all issues with the health post.

A massive thanks to all helpers in Nepal and especially to Tenzing in Pokhara for unfailing organisation and help to get the funds once in Nepal to the right people and places for all of the projects to work.

Special thank yous to Bhudi, Ang Chhering, Tsering Darkya, Dr Kami, Yangji Sherpa and Ang Rita Sherpa.

And to everyone who helps with their very generous support, Thank you – Tuche – Gracias

https://www.justgiving.com/lighteducationdevelopment

It will be located in and around the village of Braithwaite, near Keswick, with plenty of walk options available including the full Coledale Horseshoe.

We will be holding our evening event at the Braithwaite Institute, the village hall in Braithwaite. There will be dinner, drinks and plenty of opportunity to catch up with friends old and new. 

Registration will be £20 per person and an additional £25 per person if you would like to join us for dinner after the event. If you would like to attend, please complete our online registration form.

The 2021 Fundraising Weekend page on Just Giving is: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/2021LED

If you’ve not already sorted out accommodation, please do!

While we aim to continue with our solar lighting distribution (and a huge thank you to those who participated in the individual Huayhuash Challenges in March and early April), we are specifically aiming at our September fundraiser to raise in the region of $10,000 USD to provide medical funding for the health posts we support in both Peru and Nepal.

We’ll give more updates as we progress towards September. In the meantime, stay safe and fingers crossed we can all gather in the Lakes on 11 September.

It will be located in and around the village of Braithwaite, near Keswick, with plenty of walk options available including the full Coledale horseshoe.

Registration details will be sent out shortly after the next Government announcement (expected around the third week of May), which is currently intended to update us all on the easing of restrictions around self-catering and holidaying options in the UK.

In the meantime we know a number of friends and supporters have sourced nearby accommodation which, given proximity to Keswick, is in fairly plentiful supply. We are hoping to have an evening event on the Saturday but cannot confirm a venue yet until we are able to travel ourselves and check venues out. We plan to have the evening do as close as possible to Brathwaite, if not in the village itself. 

The last year has necessarily seen LED shift focus in terms of what we do given the constraints of travel for Val and also the health issues in both Peru and Nepal. A lot of funds raised this year have been used to provide food to the communities we usually reach with our lighting, medical and educational supplies. Both Peru and Nepal have suffered a range of shortages and our friends on the ground in both countries have made fantastic efforts to get our support out to the villages that have needed it the most.

While we aim to continue with our solar lighting distribution (and a huge thank you to those who participated in the individual Huayhuash Challenges in March and early April), we are specifically aiming at our fundraiser event in September this year to raise in the region of $10,000 USD to provide medical funding for the health posts we support in both Peru and Nepal.

We’ll give more updates as we progress towards September on this. In the meantime, stay safe and fingers crossed we can all gather on the 11th September.

In addition, we have some direct donations of £616 giving a grand total of:

£7836.28

Huge thanks to everyone who participated – walking, feeding, ferrying, donating! It was a great day.

LED’s Blencathra Fundraising Weekend 2019

To give you an idea of some of the things that this money enables us to do

Our solar lights cost around $55 each for Nepal (which is $45 plus approx $10 import duties) and $25-$38 in Peru (import duty can take the per light cost up to $38).

We try to supply a number of villages per year. Villages can range from 10 lights to well over 25 depending on size. Val mainly focuses on a specific valley or valleys each season in both Nepal and Peru and we’re getting to the stage now where are needing to start re-supplying as some original lights need mending or replacing.

For school supplies, the cost depends on the number of children and what they need, and again the cost varies in Peru and Nepal as we buy the supplies in Huaraz or Kathmandu to help the local economy.

In Quisuar it costs about £450 a year for the primary school and £70 for the secondary school as they generally only need pens and notebooks. When we supply the school in Jancopampa the cost is around £700 as it’s a bigger school. We try to fund supplies for both schools every year.

After the Trustees next Board meeting we’ll have a more detailed list of specific projects in mind for next year. Watch this space!

For updates on our projects, fundraising, treks and other activities, follow LED on Facebook/LEDCharity and Twitter/LEDCharity.

Donations always welcome via our LED JustGiving page.

Thank you to all who supported and/ or came along for a great weekend on 12/13 May and an amazing fundraising effort. We were blessed with great weather and a brilliant time was had by all on the hike over Dufton Pike and High Cup Nick, and at the evening festivities.

Special thanks go to Liam and Sue at www.fellsidecottages.uk in Dufton for hosting the event and all of their organisational support, and wonderful puddings after dinner!

Also a huge shout out for the food and drink in the evening, provided by Helen and Mark Hunt, Denise Brown and the trustees of LED. Jan at the Wakemans House Cafe in Ripon made some excellent scones which we all enjoyed after the walk, and Reunion Ales from Twickenham, West London provided some exceptional ale for the evening.

Thanks again from Val and the LED team for the support through sponsorship, buying raffle tickets, lending organisational help, coming along and making the event so special.

For updates on our projects, fundraising, treks and other activities, follow LED on Facebook/LEDCharity and Twitter/LEDCharity.

Donations always welcome via our LED JustGiving page.

Here’s what he has to say about the experience….

Having worked with LED before in the Cordillera Blanca mountains of Peru, I was fortunate to have a second opportunity to work with the organisation, this time heading to the Himalayan foothills of Nepal in April. A combined project (alongside some research with University of Leeds) was the perfect chance to explore some of the more remote villages of the Dolakha region, north east of Kathmandu, as well as trekking through the stunning Gaurishankar Conservation Area.

Myself, Jenny (friend at University), Nima (guide) and Budi (porter) headed to the mountains on a 10 hour bus journey – public buses only for this route which is an experience worth having – and arrived in Singati, raring to go. After storing some extra kit with Nima’s family, we began our trek in the afternoon at Chyotchyot, with a solid two hours of uphill steps, to lead us to Simigaun. From here (approx. 2000masl), we ascended through Dongang, Beding, and Na, along the ‘Classic Rolwaling Valley’ trek through forests, fields and surrounded by brightly coloured flora. Accommodation consisted of small but comfortable guest houses, all hosted by the welcoming locals. The highlight of this first trek would have to be the day-visit to Tsho-rolpa lake and beyond (to approx. 5000masl) and after a little more exploring for another day we headed back down the trail. (In October season there is a pass that can be reached to complete a circuit but this is snowed over in April/May).

With some extra time on our hands before Jenny moved on to her next destination, we explore more of the spectacular region – and although mostly dry, the heat (up to 30 degrees Celsius) made uphill stretches particularly challenging at times. Another highlight was visiting the women’s monastery in Bigu (great place to stop for your first hot shower in a fortnight) followed by the Hindu temple in Kallnchowk – both with far reaching views of snow peaks and rolling mountain valleys.

After two weeks of dedicated trekking, the real work began. Jenny left for Burma and Nima and I touched base at his parent’s house to draw up a plan. We spent 4-5 days distributing over 40 solar powered lights and prescribing more than 50 pairs of reading glasses (kindly donated by Dave and Pat Booth), in and around the Khare region. I also took the opportunity to teach some English in the local school. Following this, Nima and I took to the trails, walking from village to village to conduct interviews with healthcare workers about the primary healthcare system in the rural areas. Locals were very receptive to our work and appreciated the contribution made by our efforts. Whilst mobile, we did further eye tests though eventually ran out of glasses as we could only carry a limited supply. Whilst unfortunate, it means there is still much to be done.

Another two weeks passed in total before Nima and I headed back to Kathmandu. In addition to the trekking I managed to visit Pokhara, a fantastic tourist town with great food, some western comforts and a great mix of locals and travellers (especially at Busy Bee on a Friday/Saturday night). I also spent three days in Chitwan in and around the national park. At a muggy 38 degrees Celsius it’s a very different climate to the crisp mountain air, but there is lots to see and do. In particular I would recommend staying near Sauraha, and in low-season you can get great deals on Jungle safari tours, motorbike hire, and more.

All in all this was a fantastic trip with a great balance of charitable work, difficult trekking and touristy bits in between. As my first time in Nepal, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time spent here and will look forward to my next trip to the region. I would like to thank Val Pitkethly for organising and coordinating the trip, to Pat and Dave booth for their advice with prescribing reading glasses, to Nima for his hospitality and commitment as a guide, as well as Jenny, Samay and all the other travellers who made this a memorable experience. Finally, thanks to the kind people of Nepal – their kind, easy-going and positive attitude makes you feel very much included and welcome in this incredible country.

Namaste.

Ross Gillespie
Medical Student at University of Leeds

Photos from Ross of the two weeks he spent in Khare are available in this LED Facebook album.

Interested in volunteering with us in Peru or Nepal? Use the Contact LED form on the website (www.lighteducationdevelopment.org), or message us on facebook.com/LEDCharity, to find out about opportunities this year and next.

Together with Nepal Youth Foundation UK we are organising a Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge to climb Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingelborough, covering 24.5 miles in under 12 hours.

For those who would prefer to take it a bit easier, we are also running a Yorkshire 1 Peak Challenge, which is around 7.5 miles.

The Challenges will take place on Saturday 20 May 2017, starting and finishing at Horton-in-Ribblesdale, North Yorkshire (Google map).

If you want to take part in one of the Challenges to raise money for LED, visit our NYF & LED Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge page. You’ll need to register there, and you’ll also find more information about timings, essential kit and more.

We are asking participants to fundraise at least £100 and we’ve set up a dedicated LED Yorkshire 3 Peaks (and 1 Peak!) Challenge campaign on our JustGiving page for this. Ask your supporters to donate here in advance of the Challenge or to settle up sponsorship after the event – and remember to tell them to mention your name!

I was lucky enough to return to Nepal this spring after 5 years. On my previous trek I had become friends with fellow trekker Mary and encountered Val as our paths crossed in various lodges. Along with Charles we were embarking on a journey which would be very different to that of 2011. For a start this was going to be in tents and therefore more remote than the usual well trodden paths.

Solukhumbu Trek April/May 2016 – Charles, Mary and Steffi

We acclimatised with a three day trek in from Dhab via Bhulbhule, the 4000m Pikey Peak, Jase Bhanjyang  and Taktor before joining the “main” route from Jiri near Junebesi where we went to visit the school hostel rebuilt by some of Val’s Canadian friends earlier this year.

Junbesi school hostel, rebuilt (“new wood” building with red roof on the left) – LED Solu Khumbu Trek, April/May 2016

From the first day it became apparent that Val and her team perform an immensely valuable service – we visited isolated homes with no electricity nor, in a lot of cases, running water and where the gift of a solar light was received with extreme gratitude.

Solukhumbu Trek April/May 2016 – Chhiring and Val, with an elderly monk receiving his LED light, Bhulbhule

The giving of each light was carefully recorded and in doing so a picture of the families living in each area has been built up to enable more targeted needs to be addressed, such as the health of the elderly population or the donation of much needed warm clothing.

LED solar light distribution, PK Dairy – LED Solu Khumbu Trek, April/May 2016

We watched as Chirring carefully repaired old light units, many outliving their predicted 5 year life span.

LED solar light repairs, Jase Bhanjyang – LED Solu Khumbu Trek, April/May 2016

The middle of our trek took us onto the well trodden path to Everest base camp and the luxury of coffee pastries and free Wifi in Namche Bazaar. Even here in the relative wealth we saw buildings still in a state of collapse after last year’s earthquake.

Earthquake damage – LED Solu Khumbu Trek, April/May 2016

Then on again to more remote areas where our only encounters were with the Yak herders, many of them single women, young and old. Here we met elderly couples still living in tents too terrified to sleep indoors. They offered us tea and food although they have little else but potatoes to eat. Their need for the gift of light was self evident and LED’s lights and repairs were received with heartfelt gratitude.

Solukhumbu Trek April/May 2016 – Chhiring explains how to use an LED inflatable solar light

LED solar light checks, Bhote Kosi valley – LED Solu Khumbu Trek, April/May 2016

We finished our trek with aching legs and aching hearts for these people who have nothing. Over our three weeks we had seen how a donation to LED reaches the people it is intended for. Thanks Val, Mary and Charles for a fantastic and rewarding time, and I hope in the future to see for myself how the charity works in Peru.

More photos from the trek: