After a friendship of several years with Sir Edmund Hillary, accompanying him on trips within Canada and the U.S.A., Mr. W.F. (Zeke) O'Connor was honoured In being Invited as the Canadian representative on an expedition to the Mount Everest Base Camp In 1973, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the successful ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa, Tenzing Norgay. Mr. O'Connor has revisited Nepal each year since his first visit In 1973 to the present.

Mr. O'Connor and a number of the Foundation directors return to Canada each year with a deeper understanding of the many needs of the Sherpa people and a determination to further the efforts of seeking financial aid for the worthy projects underway In the mountain regions of Nepal.

As a result of this groundwork, the totally Canadian "Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation" (SEHF) received its charter on October 1, 1976, and Is registered as a charitable institution with its founder, Mr. O'Connor as President and Sir Edmund Hillary as one of the two vice-presidents.

The principal aims of the Foundation are:

1. Funding and operating of the Khunde Hospital where an addition has been built and funded entirely by Canadian contributions.

2. To help provide medical assistance In the surrounding areas where thirteen additional health clinics have been built. These new health clinics and schools have been established with funds supplied by the Canadian Foundation and the Canadian International Development Agency (C.I.D.A.).

3. To provide assistance to the establishment of educational facilities and to promote Instructions In methods of sanitation and matters related to health In general. Two New Zealand sponsored doctors are presently in charge of the medical programs for the Khumbu area, operating out of the Khunde Hospital. Doctors from Canada alternate with New Zealand every two years.

4. Conservation -Reforestation is of prime concern, and our nurseries in the Namche area are producing successful seedling growth. Various environmental issues and pollution control Is also currently being addressed.

 

In addition, the Foundation hopes to aid the agricultural program within the Solu Khumbu area of Nepal and Is aiming towards the Improvement o methods of food production and the provision of supplies for the Sherpa people. A small reforestation program commenced in 1979 and a larger five year reforestation program was initiated in 1981. As of this date, we (SEHF) have planted in excess of one million trees.

L to R  Lady Hillary, CDN SEHF Foundation President, Zeke O'Connor, Sir Edmund Hillary, Nursery workers all  in front of Phurte nurserey

In 1984 we (SEHF) responded to the ever-increasing need for reforestation in the Sagarmatha National Park by entering into a new five-year project with the National Park Department of Nepal. This was another C.I.D.A. approved project.

the Khumjung High School

The SEHF has finished a number of projects including the building and opening of the Khumjung High School. In April 1986 an eight-room middle school was built in the village of Karikola. The SEHF also did work on the monastery at Thamo and the rebuilding of the Phakding bridge. We (SEHF) funded the rebuilding of the Khunde Hospital, built a new school for Thamo, built thirteen medical clinics and will continue to respond to the needs of the Sherpas of the Khumbu area over the next five to ten years.

the Khunde Hospital

During Zeke O'Connor's visits to Nepal in May 1985, 1986 and 1987, Sir Edmund and the Foundation were approached by the village Elders to take on a number of new projects - Including the stepped-up reforestation program in Sagarmatha National Park and additional school buildings in Chaurikarka and Karikola. 1987 saw the building of a school for young Tawas (monks) adjacent to the monastery of Thyangboche.

January 1989 was a tragic date to the Sherpas of the Khumbu. On January 19, 1989 the Thyangboche Monastery and School burned to the ground. This Monastery situated at the top of the hill known to all trekkers in the Solu Khumbu area, with a direct view of Mount Everest, had to be one of the most beautiful spots In the world and the religious center for the Sherpa people. Sir Edmund's Foundations in Canada, New Zealand, the United States and Germany have all worked together since 1989, at the request of the Sherpas, to help them rebuild their Monastery. The new building was completed and the formal opening held in September 1993.

1989-1996 has seen the Foundation successfully raising additional funds for the rebuilding of the Thyangboche Monastery, the new school at Thamo, along with our major on-going projects; (1) the Khunde Hospital, (2) the Sagarmatha Forestry program.

The primary objective of the Foundation, therefore, continues to be the raising of funds for the furthering of these projects In Nepal. With the generous promise of assistance from C.I.D.A. and our loyal private sector supporters, it is hoped that our commitments for the future will continue to be met.

The Canadian International Development Agency in Ottawa has been matching the money raised by The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation at a ratio of approximately two and a half to one on approved projects.

January 1997.

The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation of Canada

222 Jarvis Street

Toronto, Ontario, Canada