I was born at the beautiful and pleasant village of Pangkarma, VDC ward number 5, Beni district, a remote area of the Nepal Himalaya. I grew up with my parents and two brothers and three sisters. My family has a farm and I helped my family while also studying at my local school up to the higher leaving certificate.

When I had finished school, my parents proposed a marriage to me, but I declined and left for Kathmandu without their consent or permission. Arriving in Kathmandu with the vigour and endeavour of youth, I maintained myself with hard struggle, but worked and studied to improve myself. I then returned to my village and was warmly received by my family and the village people. While there it occurred to me how much help the handicapped and society at large in the district needed better facilities than were on offer. This thought stayed with me and I realised that by returning to Kathmandu I would be better able to help my community.

I returned to Kathmandu with the firm belief and strong intent to help my people. It was very difficult for a person like me, who arrived in a large city, Kathmandu, from a remote country area to find employment. I started to work in the trekking profession. Eventually I had an opportunity to work with World Expeditions. This enabled me to achieve the first step in my goal to help my people.

Through my work I had the opportunity to support myself and family, and also meet and learn from overseas travellers, some of whom were interested in me as a person. An Australian citizen, Paul Jury along with his family, was supportive in helping me further achieve my goal. A doctor, nurse and medical supplies were now sent to the medical outpost at Junbesi to assist the people of my district.

I was then able to launch a public sector health program with further economic assistance from The Wilderness School in Adelaide led by Sally Nobbs, Glenys Needham of the Carnegie Branch of The Lions Organisation in Melbourne, and Jean Darlington of St Monica's R.C. Church, Wivenhoe, Essex, England working with her local church group in England. This support has resulted in the refurbishment of the medical outpost with new interior walls and rooves.

Prior to this I had also put in place better environmental practices of improved sanitation and the provision of a rubbish pit after meeting Beau Beza, a lecturer at Melbourne University. Throughout these improvements I have continued to work with my local people and consult with them. Seeing the high admiration they have towards those who have helped them and by seeing the benefits my community has with the improved facilities and staff, I further reaffirm my commitment to achieve better medical facilities and care for all of the people of my home district. A community of more than 3,700 people.

I cannot thank enough those who have helped me achieve these goals.
This work for my community needs to continue and in an attempt to achieve legal recognition we have incorporated and registered a non-profit organisation called Kushudebu Public Health Mission Nepal ( KPHMN). Kushudebu being a sherpa word for wellbeing. KPHMN has an office in Kathmandu, works with the local community, a website and a bank account.

The commitment and drive I had for this project has not declined over time.
Along with those who are now involved in the project we continue to make plans and work to attain them such as lab equipment and x-ray machines. Currently the Nepal Government is unable to meet community demands in regard to health care and this is why our work in this area must continue. It is only by the continued support of our donors and any new donors that we are able to make progress and maintain medical help to this district.

I personally request all of you who read this to consider donating to KPHMN and therefore work in collaboration with us to continue the humanitarian work that is in place in Beni VDC. In this regard, you are requested to contact me at my email address kushudebu@mail.com.np or angsherpa2000@yahoo.com

Finally thank you for taking the time to read about Kushudebu Public Health Mission Nepal. I would like to pass on my best wishes to you, your family and friends.

Yours Sincerely,
Ang Tshering Sherpa
President
KPHMN