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  Tributes to Papa Tony David Hannah Jan 2010  
 
On Tuesday January 19th at 2pm, the funeral was held for Papa Tony at Old Buckenham Parish Church, in Norfolk. The Church was packed to capacity with family, friends and colleagues from all over the country. Tony had lived in Old Buckenham with his wife Sheila since 2006. Four moving tributes were paid to Tony from: 1. John Oakes, 2. Martin Haydon, 3. George Taylor, 4. David Hannah, as well as a eulogy given by his friend and local priest Rev. Alistair Monkhouse. In order to continue Papa Tony’s work money is still being raised to complete the library and learning centre. A project is also underway to educate students to become teachers in the village of Phortse and to train others. If you would like to make a donation in Papa Tony’s memory, please contact Sheila via email at: tony.freake@mypostoffice.co.uk
 
  Tribute from John Oakes - dear friend David Hannah Jan 2010  
 
I first met Tony Freake when we came to live in Barnet over forty years ago. My wife, Lorna and I came from the North of England; Tony and his wife, Sheila came from the East of London, but otherwise we had an enormous number of things in common. We lived three doors apart, we worshipped at the same church, we both had young and growing families and our children grew up with their children. We also shared a keen interest in foreign travel and in climbing mountains. To me at this time, foreign travel meant France and Germany and mountains meant the Lake District. Tony always went for the big one and over the years he took us to Scotland, Austria, Nepal and the southern Himalayas, Africa and Peru. Of these, without a doubt, his greatest love was for Nepal and the village of Phortse, where so much of his best work was done. Tony had an immense sense of civic responsibility. He stood as a councillor in the three-seat Hadley Ward in the London Borough of Barnet. He gathered a team of several hundred helpers and enthused and persuaded us evening after evening to give up our time to deliver leaflets, knock on doors, argue and cajole. He also persuaded Sheila to give us house-room and the encouragement we needed on bad nights. I shall never forget those evenings with their deep blue skies and the pink cherry blossom petals falling like snow. I think that they must always hold local council elections in early May so that no matter what the result of the election may be, the candidates will still be able to remember those delicious May evenings. We who supported Tony on that first May evening will certainly remember it, because against the odds and the predictions, we won, and Tony became the only independent councillor in Barnet. He won again next time, and he would have won again after that if it had not been for the prevailing political situation. When most of us go abroad, we have a holiday, meet some of the people in the place we are visiting and come back home to resume our own lives and leave the people we have met to continue with theirs, When Tony visited Nepal he found the village of Phortse and his life was changed. He came back to England and raised money at various times to build a gompa or a community building in the village, a medical centre, a school, with accommodation for two teachers, a water and electricity supply and currently training for a local teacher, until it is true to say that not a single person in that little mountain village to the North of Katmandu does not have his or her life altered and improved by Tony’s association with Phortse. And the work of the Phortse Community Project continues and will continue for as long as Tony is remembered in the work he did there. Meanwhile, back in England, back in Barnet, Tony continued to work for Brookside Methodist Church, attending meetings, writing letters, sawing wood, driving screws or whatever needed doing; Tony was never really happy unless he was doing something that needed to be done. His wife Sheila was equally dedicated to that little church, where she was in charge of lettings, and church treasurer and forever to be found hanging curtains, cleaning the premises or whatever else needed doing. Few of us realised how great is the debt we owe to Tony and Sheila Freake. I finish with the memory of the time when I was,so I thought, alone in Katmandu. Suddenly I heard from across the street a well-known voice calling, ‘What’s John Oakes doing in Katmandu?’. I look forward to the day when I shall be able to reply, ‘And what’s Tony Freake doing in Heaven?’
 
  Tribute from Martin Haydon - dear friend and AAC member David Hannah Jan 2010  
 
Hello! My name is Martin Haydon. I was elected to the Executive Committee for the Austrian Alpine Club (UK), Sektion Britannia at the time when Tony Freake was Chairman. Tony had taken over from Geoff Pearson and was our chairman for 12 years from 1989 until 2001. He had been our President ever since. When Sheila asked me if I would like to say something about Tony, I thought: “How do I encapsulate all my memories of times spent over many years; How can I possibly do justice to the many thoughts, both private and otherwise, of a man I have held in such high esteem? A person who achieved so much yet with a humility that endeared him to virtually all he met.” I suppose my first real recollection of ‘Papa’ Tony as he became affectionately known, was when in 1990 with my family, we joined the Club’s Alpine Meet at the Berliner Hütte in the Zillertal Alps. With our two children aged just 10 and 7, we joined around 40 other members for a memorable holiday. Tony as chairman master minded the meet as he also did the 50th Anniversary Meet of our section in 1998 and the Glockner 2000 Meet. His smiling face helped to make us feel very much part of something very special. He was very much a persons person and it was this special quality that throughout his involvement with the AAC, firstly as Chairman and then as President that created a strong club bond which helped set up the AAC for the future. Tony was a charismatic leader, firm and to the point, but with a cheerful disposition which ensured a happy team. He bonded a combination of formality needed on committee, with an informal approach to members. He created an environment based on friendship and although committee work involved being a section of the Oesterischischer Alpenverein the OeAV, he never forgot we were a club, for like minded people who enjoy walking and climbing in the mountains. When I joined Tony in 1997, to represent Sektion Britannia at the OeAV’s Hauptversammlung (the AGM of all the sections), I saw at first hand how Tony’s ‘one to one’ approach not only endeared him to all he met but achieved results for our section. We met many of the important figures on the main committee and he always came away with successful conclusions. There followed many official presentations with the OeAV in Austria involving our Club, such as the opening of the Britannia Room at the Innsbrucker Hütte and several other such events all procured by donations from our Hut Fund. These were always friendly affairs, much due to the rapport Tony had with those he met and his ability to make things happen. I have in my mind many pictures of events which expressed how I remember Tony. Such as the time when Tony and Sheila joined one of my Scottish Meets. On one day, Tony walked the streets of Fort William promoting the AAC and securing discounts at shops such as Nevis sports. Or the time quite recently and I believe Tony’s last AGM with the club, when he so graciously made a presentation to Don Anderson on his retirement as Chairman. Or the time at Chris Johnson’s funeral when as we were scattering the ashes from the bridge at Hubberholme, Tony united the gathering with a dignified and simple prayer for Chris. Or for me and a very special iconic moment, when at the break of dawn on July 27th, year 2000 and the 200th anniversary of the first ascent of the Gross Glockner, I along with a large group assembled outside the Oberwalder Hütte to attempt Austria’s highest mountain. As we waited, Tony came out to personally wish us all success, quoting Ed Hilary's famous misquoted words. My most poignant memory though is of Tony last September when he and Sheila joined Ros and Martin Adam’s club meet in Corsica at Storrischen Esel, the holiday village owned by the OeAV. Tony quite obviously in much discomfort, invited a few of us over to his chalet for drinks before dinner. After about 15 minutes and much to our dismay, he passed out. We left to join the entire group of 35 as Kurt Müller owner of Storrischen Esel was presented to us. In no time, Tony walked in, adorned with a Topi, his Nepalese hat, and with a broad smile that left us in disbelief. Ros presented him with a prayer scarf and from the photos which followed, one could be forgiven for believing he was in full health. Tony conducted himself in those latter days as he had always done so, with dignity, faith and optimism. He had an immense zest for life along with a joyful humour. He was a fine leader of our Club. Quite simply Tony Freake was Mr AAC, and everyone's friend. God Bless you Tony and ‘auf wiedersehen’ .
  
  Tribute from George Taylor - dear friend and AAC member David Hannah Jan 2010  
 
For those who do not know me, my name is George Taylor, and I first met Tony at the beginning of a walk organised by the AAC in Hertfordshire in 1990. Tony immediately welcomed Margaret and myself to the Club – he always made sure that everyone was welcome and included in the group – no-one was ever left on their own. Little did either of us know that 10 years later I would succeed him as chair of the Club’s UK section and that the meeting would have such an impact on our lives. Tony’s first visit to Nepal was in 1989 when he went with a commercial group to climb Mera Peak. His sirdar, Ang Phurba later joined with others, Deepak Lama and Ang Zangbu, in Wilderness Experience, which has organised so many expeditions led by Tony for Club members. The partners, their families and all at Wilderness Experience have asked me to read this tribute: Papa Tony – all of us at Wilderness Experience Trekking in Nepal are so sorry on your passing away. This is a great loss to us all. You always gave us good guidance and love. You were not only a good patron for our business but a long-time friend and a source of inspiration. Ang Phurba personally wants to thank you for your contribution to the Phortse people, and feels very lucky working with you on this project. On this day of the full moon, which was four days after you died, we performed a PUJA (a tribute) at Bhaudhanath Stupa, (the main Stupa in Kathmandu), and lit hundreds of butter lamps praying for the eternal peace of your soul. May the almighty God give strength to Sheila and her family to bear the loss and may your soul rest in peace. We shall miss you greatly. Tony fell in love with Nepal and its people and visited the country 28 times. That love was reciprocated by the many Nepalese who became his friends. On his visit to the Khumbu in 1989, Tony passed through the village of Phortse, then rather off the beaten track and poorer than other villages in the area which saw more of the tourism trade. That visit to Phortse was to change both his and Sheila’s lives, and more important, it changed the lives of the people of Phortse, whose welfare became his purpose. Following the visit, Tony went into action and founded the Phortse Community Project, which over the years built a school, the teacher’s house, a medical centre and a gompa, and then most recently, a library. Tony linked the village with mains electricity and drinking water, a remarkable achievement. Whilst ensuring that the improvements took effect, Tony was always keen to ensure that the local people could manage the projects once built thus developing their self-confidence. In providing this help for Phortse, he directly involved people from the Club, both in the UK and in Austria, and also young people from Canning Town and from Eton College. Margaret and I first joined one of Tony’s expeditions in 1998 on a circuit of Annapurna followed by a visit to the Annapurna Sanctuary – which I still believe is the most beautiful place in the world. Our second trek with Tony was in the Langtang, where one of my treasured memories was when Tony was visiting one of those blue tents which we all have to visit at regular intervals. Suddenly there was a cry of ‘leeches’, and the tent rather than remaining upright, began to take on a life of its own, extending at random seemingly in all directions until it finally collapsed. A number of sherpas rushed to the rescue and a few moments later there emerged a smiling Tony, having defeated the vicious monsters! Last year we joined Tony for what was to be his final visit to the Himalaya. We trekked in Sikkim and then explored Bhutan, but sadly Tony was not well enough to join us there and had to return home early. Margaret and I have now led three expeditions to Nepal, and we owe a great debt of gratitude to Tony, as we should not have done it without him. He gave us an enormous amount of help, and we learned a huge amount from him and so were able to conduct our own treks with confidence. Tony – we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. In November last year – barely three months ago – we stayed a night in Phortse. In the four years since our previous visit, much had changed. The school had somehow come alive, with the walls covered with the children’s work, and it would have looked good in an English classroom. The library was excellent, again with a collection of books which did them credit. A month after our return, Margaret and I visited Tony and Sheila, and although weak, Tony was able to derive pleasure from seeing our photographs of the Khumbu and particularly those of Phortse. In 2008, Tony won the Hillary medal which was awarded for ‘remarkable service in remote mountainous regions’ – it was exceptionally well deserved and a mark of great distinction. The award was to recognise the work which Tony had led with such energy in Phortse. The people of Phortse have prepared this tribute: Dear Papa Tony We, the entire Phortse village community, are grateful to you for your kind and generous support. We shall miss you very much. Your untimely demise is an irreplaceable loss to us all. To remember you, we shall erect a combined chorten and statue at Phortse as a tribute. May your soul rest in peace. I should like to conclude by telling a little story about the time when Margaret and I first visited Phortse four years ago. We were entering the village and one of our sherpa friends said to an old lady coming our way ‘these are friends of Papa Tony’. There was a moment’s pause and she looked at us and said ‘he has opened our eyes’. There is no finer tribute which could be paid to any man than that. We say farewell today to a man who was modest but had nothing to be modest about. Tony, on the surface an ordinary man, achieved extraordinary things. In life, we respected and we loved you, and we now salute your memory.
 
  Tribute from David Hannah - dear friend David Hannah Jan 2010  
 
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is David Hannah and I have lived in this village for the last 23 years. How do you describe a beautiful piece of music that moves you?, How do you describe an absolutely stunning view that takes your breath away for the first time? How do you describe the way you feel about someone who made a tremendous impact on your life? Occasionally in your lifetime you may be fortunate enough to meet a special person who makes an impact on your life, someone who you feel an instant warmth and connection with, a person who inspires you, helps you think differently, helps you achieve dreams you never thought were possible, a person who shows great love and humour, for me that person was Tony. The first time I really met Tony was Oct 22nd 2006 in this Church over a cup of coffee. Such was the impact that Tony made on me I can almost recollect our first conversation ‘word for word’. After we’d introduced ourselves I asked Tony how he was and he told me he had a sore throat, I asked if he was concerned about this and he replied that he was a little concerned as he was going to Nepal in 2 days time. I told him that I had always dreamt of going to Nepal and that I would love to go with him. In what I was later to discover was ‘typical Tony style’ he replied “Well why don’t you come with me?!!’, I replied that of course this was not possible, so he replied ‘Well why don’t you come with me next year” - “So you go every year?!” - “Well I’ve been 23 times over the last 19yrs” replied Tony. Whereas I was an ‘armchair’ enthusiast, I learnt that Tony was the ‘real thing’. As well as being a climber for many years, he also told me about his love of Nepal and in particular his village of Phortse and the people who lived there. We agreed that I should go with him the following year, so in the autumn of 2007 we spent three glorious weeks together trekking in the Khumbu region accompanied by his Sherpa friend Panuru. During this time I learnt not only about Tonys love and respect of Phortse and the Sherpa people, but also about his apparent unconditional love of the human race. Tony appeared to have a natural gift of viewing who ever he met as being a member of his extended family. There were many many occasions where Tony showed his love for others but there was one simple act that will stay with me for ever:- We had been trekking for 4days,we were at 4000mtrs, we were still on our way to Phortse, it was 6pm dark and very cold outside. We went into the baking hot communal room of the Tea House where we were staying, it was like entering a Tuberculosis Ward, people sitting on soft covered benches with horrendous coughs, colds and goodness knows what! Whilst I was trying to eye-up the most healthy person to sit next to Tony plonked himself down next to a young Australian guy who even before he burst into a chest ripping cough I could tell he didn’t look well. “I think we’ll sit here” announced Tony. Tony shuffled up alongside the Australian, stretched out his hand and said “Hello my names Tony” the chap looked at Tonys outstretched hand and said “You’d better not get too close to me I’ve got a lot of bacterial stuff going on!”, Tony kept his hand outstretched - smiled at the man - and replied “But there’s nothing wrong with your hand is there?!” Make of that what you will, but to me it was a sign of unconditional friendship shown to a total stranger. I was also completely overwhelmed by the obvious love and esteem the local people had for ‘Papa Tony’, as he was known locally. As for his concern for me if I was unwell, Tony would just smile, chuckle & say “you’ll get over it!!” Two years then flashed by, during which time Tony treated me to other meaningful experiences and bottles of ‘Tashe Delek’ homemade wine!! The sad day came when Tony told me in his kitchen that he had cancer, he then immediately asked … “Would you like a beer?” In typical Tony style, rather than say how awful it was, he looked to the future and got on with life. Over the following months, as well as battling his illness, he ripped out his front hedge, planted a new one, drew up plans for a new porch, saw it built and had some wonderful holidays with all his family lovely around him. It is easy to undervalue the phrase ‘An honour and a privilege’ but for me, it was truly ….. ‘An honour .. and ..a privilege …and jolly good fun to have known Tony. …. and … incidentally ……. There’s nothing wrong with your hand is there?
 
  Tribute from Rev Alistair Monkhouse - dear friend and local priest David Hannah Jan 2010  
 
There is in the 12th chapter of the Gospel of Mark and account of a scribe asking Jesus ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is this; “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ Tony, did more than anyone I know to live by this maxim. His service to God and to mankind and his love of everyone he met is beyond question. His love and affection and what he did for the villagers of Phortse in Nepal would take many people many lifetimes rather than what he achieved in the last twenty years of his life. Tony was born on 6th April 1937 in Banbury Oxen, the youngest brother of Bob. His parents ran a Post Office and General Store in nearby Bloxham. They moved to Dalston, East London when he was six months old. His parents continued to run a Post Office and General store at an area called ‘Waste’ in Kingsland Road. He had a favourite Auntie Joyce at Cambridge and he and his brother were sent to stay with her at the outbreak of war. However Cambridge was bombed more often than London at that time and so they returned back home to get away from the bombing raids. Educated at local Primary and Secondary schools he left school at the age of 15 and was taken on as an apprentice at Nagretti & Zambra the worlds most famous instrument maker in Kings Cross. National Service was deferred until his apprenticeship was completed at the age of 21. Joining up he served his time with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) for 2 years During this time he was offered a posting either in Hong Kong or Taunton. He decided Taunton for it so happened that just at that time Shelia was studying at Exeter University. After National Service he returned back to Nagretti & Zambra to take up employment where he had left off. Soon after returning to civilian life he took up a post in the Physics department at King’s Colledge London. There he worked in the research workshops designing and making specialised research equipment. After a short time he moved to Queen Elizabeth College, Kensington when the reader in physics at Kings took up the new chair of Physics. Tony set up the new research workshop at Queen Elizabeth’s. He worked there as chief technician until there was a move by the government to amalgamate colleges to make centres of excellence. It was Tony’s task to then move the Physics department back to Kings College. Soon after he took early retirement in 1988 at the age of 51. He first met Shelia in 1953 at the Methodist Church Youth Club run by Shelia’s father. They were married on 4th August 1962 at the newly built Methodist chapel. The original chapel had been badly damaged during World War 2. They settled in New Barnet where they lived for 44 years until they moved to Old Buckenham in 2006. -2- Tony and Shelia have two children, Andrew now living at East Harling and Julie who lives at Aylsham. Both have two daughters and one son making a total of six grandchildren. The family worshiped at Brookside Methodist Church East Barnet. There Tony held office as a steward and also looked after the property, and doing repairs to the fabric of the building. During the seventies he was chairman of Christian Aid in Barnet. It was around this time that he became interested in local government. He formed a residents association and was elected to the council where he served as an independent councillor for eight years loosing his seat at the time of the Falklands war. The J. P. who signed the record of his expenses for that election suggested he might like to think of offering to become a J.P. He was appointed in May 1984 and served on the bench for 15 years. Good friends John and Lorna Oakes introduced the family to the Lake District and sowed the seed for many adventures in the British mountains. Another friend from Barnet, Peter Lappage, who was Tony’s agent at election time, suggested that Tony and Shelia should join the British Austrian Alpine Club, when Tony was planning a family holiday in Austria in 1975. We have heard today how their association with this club developed. After many happy trips to the Alps with friends, Tony set his sights higher – literally. In 1988 he made his first trip to Nepal and to the village of Phortse for which he did so much during the last 20 years which we have heard about in the tributes today. In 1995 Tony was awarded a ‘Unsung Heroes’ award for helping the Sherpa people by the celebrity Guild of Great Britain. Later he was also thanked and presented with a Karta scarf by the Dali Lama in recognition of all his work with the Sherpa people. Tony was never content to just ‘belong’. He had to be involved. This was particularly true of the British Austrian Alpine Club where he served on the committee, becoming Chairman and finally President. Possibly not too many people in Old Buckenham knew much about Nepal and the Himalayas, other than Mount Everest, until Tony and Sheila moved to this village. Following many talks from Tony we soon discovered the fascinating story of the village of Phortse, which you have heard today in the tributes. Very soon he was known as Papa Tony to both young and old. To use his own words ‘I went to climb a mountain and fell in love with a community of Sherpas’. Of all his work in Phortse, comprising 27 visits over 20 years; the uniqueness of two major projects has stuck in my mind. The first is the setting up of the 60 kw hydroelectric scheme bringing electricity to the village. It was not so much the building of the power plant it was the involvement of all the villagers. There are no motorways, highways, A or B class roads in the mountains only tracks skirting around the mountainside. All the equipment was flown in by helicopter to the outskirts of the village 3,900m above sea level. All the supplies including a mile length of heavy-duty aluminium transmission cable was manually carried by over 100 of the villagers for two days. The line of sherpa’s carrying the supplies and cable looked like a snake winding itself along the track. -3- The second was when Tony laid on a water supply to the village. The villagers did not want the water piped to their individual houses but to one central point in the village. Otherwise this would mean that they would not collectively meet each day to pass on the local news and gossip. Tony did as they wanted The works of the late Edmund Hillary who climbed Everest in 1953 with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay inspired Tony. After climbing Everest Edmund Hillary dedicated the rest of his life to improving the lives of the mountain folk in Nepal. For the last twenty years Tony has emulate Edmund Hillary in his own way for the villagers of Phortse. In 2008 Tony was only the third man in the world to be awarded the Edmund Hillary medal. This was for his work in giving remarkable service in conservation of culture and nature in remote mountain regions. Today as we say our farewells the Edmund Hillary medal has pride of place with Tony. You may have noticed that David and myself are each wearing a scarf, which is known by the name of Karta. It is made of silk, by the villagers of Phortse and is known as a prayer scarf. It is generally used on great occasions or to welcome an important visitor. It is also given as a sign of friendship or presented at a time when a great project or occasion is completed. When Edmund Hillary died in January 2008 his coffin was draped with the Karta scarves on behalf of the people of Nepal for all that he did for them. We follow this today by doing the same on behalf of the villagers of Phortse, by draping onto Tony’s casket these scarves in recognition and thanks for all the many projects he completed. But his work does not stop here. Shelia and members of the family will be going out to Phortse in May where a memorial is being built in his name. Money is still being raised to complete the library and learning centre. A project is also underway to educate students to become teachers in the village and train others. So can I ask you to dig deep in your pockets as you leave here today so that your donations in Papa Tony’s memory will continue to help that very isolated village nestling under the shadow of Mount Everest. As you travel from Tony's home to this church you will pass along a Norfolk road skirting the largest village green in the country. Past village ponds and open countryside. On the other side of the world you would travel along mountainous tracks, pass large waterfalls and glimpse the snow-capped mountain of Everest to reach the village of Phortse. Tony was quite at home in both environments and with the people he met. All through his life he was thoughtful of others, his friendship was something special. If it were possible to help or encourage others less fortunate than himself then he would always do so. There is a passage in the bible when Jesus says 'What you do for the least of my brethren you do to me'. Tony in helping others in his life was living the Christian message, a message of hope for a future life to come; a time when we will be all reunited together. I'm sure Tony, would be the last person to think about this, but in his own way he was bringing about the kingdom of God on this earth. If more people accepted life, with all its joys, sadness and challenges, like Tony, then this world would be a far better place. -4- In the Gospel of Matthew chapter 25 it tells of the parable of the Talents. It describes where a man goes on a journey and gives to three men talents of money. One five, the second two, the third one and told them to invest them wisely whilst he was away. The first used the skills he had and gained five more; the second did the same and gained two more. The third frightened of his master just buried it. On return the master awarded the first and second for increasing their investment but to the third he scorned and sent him away for wasting his time. So it was with Papa Tony. He had been given certain skills and talents and all through his life he had used these to the benefit of others especially the village Phortse and as a result they are that so much better off. We give thanks for Papa Tony’s life. We bring before God our own memories of him and give thanks for his life and for the opportunity of knowing him and being touched by his life. As we do this we can only in tribute to Tony repeat the words of the master of the man that doubled his talents for the benefit of others. ‘Well done good and faithful servant.’ We pray that Tony, as promised by Christ our Saviour, may now rest in eternal peace, and rise again in glory. - Amen
 
  Latest News Tony Freake Sep 2009  
 

Over the 20 years I have been helping the Sherpa Community of Phortse I have witnest the incease of interest shown in the village by individuals and fellow voluntary groups. The Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation of America being one of the latest and in partnership with the MSU graduate programme in Architecture designed a building to house the Khumbu Climbing School. The KCS, initiated by mountaineer Conrad Anker, has over recent years trained many Sherpas to become excellent mountaineers in their own right. In fact now most of the leading guide sherpas on Everest come from the village of Phortse. Naturally this has enhanced the economy of the village. To help on the educational front, the AlCF has also started to install a libary into the village known as the Majic Yeti Library. The ALCF's President, Jenni Lowe-Anker, Liesl Clark and Pete Athene must be congratulated on this enterprise.

This involvement has left me through the Phortse Community Project to concentrate on educating young Sherpa persons from the village to take up higher education. With the help of Ang Rita of the Himalayan Trust I am pleased to say one girl has completed her first year's traning in a college in Kathmandu and this year two other girls will also start on their grade 11 studies. One young lady said she would like to take up Health Care work and will naturally follow that course of studies. The other girl who again is interested in teaching is seperatly being sponsored by another colleague through the PCP.

Should you wish to also sponsor a young Sherpa person from the village for higher education please get in touch; tony.freake@mypostoffice.co.uk

 
  News through 2008. Tony Freake Feb 2009  
 

With the introduction of more amenities and places of interest the village of Phortse continues to welcome more visitor/trekkers into and through the village. On the way to Gokyo and especially from the Mong La (4000m) the village looks most beautiful. In the Summer the buckwheat and potatoes are growing in the small fields and every thing looks so green.During the Winter there is usually a blanket of snow over the village turning the village into a picture post card.All year round but especially during the recognised trekking seasons of the Spring and Autumn the village offers a number of well established lodges and good food.

In May 2008, I again visited the village, my 28th visit, together with my wife, Sheila. In fact I had been invited to Nepal to receive the Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal being awarded by Dr Beau Baza and Peter Hillary at Tengboche. The ceremony was part of the 55th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest.

  
  Tony Freake Feb 2009  
 

During our short stay in Phortse I visited all the various projects I had been involved in and it was particulary interesting to see that a lot more internal paintings had been produced in the Gomba. In fact the interior of the Gomba looks very beautiful now. The school and clinic are being used but I expect after a hard winter they both could do with a lick of paint.The electrical generator continues to produce enough power and more weather proofing has been added to the power house.The people continue to use the new water supply although I did notice some mantainence is needed to the water outlets.

The Community building is being well used by the Ladies group. During January and February the Sherpa Mountain School also make full use of the building.I am continuing to raise money to install a all age library and learning centre in the Community Centre.

I am pleased to report that Pemba, the young girl from Phortse, who through the Phortse Community Project is doing well at her studies. I am hoping this year to sponsor another young person to join Pemba at college in Kathmandu to also take a teaching qualification.

In October, 2008 I was back in Nepal and led a group of 22 friends to Sikkim and Bhutan. Unfortunately on reaching Sikkim I went into urine retention and after being fitter with a catheter at the hospital in Gangtok returned home leaving the group to go onto Bhutan. I must say I was very well looked after by both Mr Nangla Sherpa the agent in Sikkim and Ang Phurba and Deepak Lama in Kathmandu.Having had an operation on 28th January I am getting back to my usual self and trying to raise more money for the Sherpas of Nepal.

  
  The Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal Tony Freake Jul 2008  
 

On Easter Sunday, 2008 I received a very interesting telephone call from Melbourne, Australia. It was Prof. Beau Beza, Chairman of the Hillary Medal Committee informing me that I had been selected to receive the 2008 Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal. It was such a surprise that my immeadiate reply was,"that's nice".In the Press release sent out on 1st April by Prof. Beza it read, 'The Hillary Medal was for remarkable service in conservation of culture and nature in remote mountainous regions'.The medal was instigated in 2003 by a Nepalese based NGO, Mountain Legacy to honour the work of the late Sir Edmund Hillary KG ONZ KBE., and to encourage others to emulate his example. I do not think anybody let alone I could possibly emulate Sir Edmund, but I do thank Dr. Seth Sicroff for nominating me for this very prestigious award. Only two other medals have been stuck and presented, the first in 2003, the 50th Annivarsary of the first ascent of Everest, the second in 2006.

On 21st May My wife, Sheila and I went out to Nepal and after spending a couple of days in Phortse went over to Tengboche where World Expeditions, the sponsors of the medal, had organised on 29th May the celebration of the 55th Anniversary of the first ascent of Everest by Sir Edmund and Tenzing Norgay. It was a very happy occasion with a number of the Phortse community coming over to Tengboche to get a preview of the medal. Six trekking groups from World Expeditions had also converged on Tengboche and what with a 'Everest marathon' passing through the tiny and normally tranquil village Tengboche was bursting with excitement. More excitement took place when we all were invited into the coutyard of the Gompa and together with the Rimpoche witness a mini Mani Rimdu, dancing display by the monks. In the evening under a large marquee and after a fine dinner the Master of Ceremonies, Brad Atwell on behalf of World Expeditions invited Peter Hillary and Beau Beza to present the medal.

 
  Community work continues Tony Freake Jul 2008  
 

With the building of the Community Centre in 2007 it is intended to equip the centre and install a all age library and learning centre. It is hoped to recruit the help of Read Global to install the library. However the project will need some £5,000 before Read will make this commitment.

Whilst in Nepal I asked a young Sherpa girl from the village if she would like to be trained as a teacher and when qualified teach at the primary school in Phortse. Pemba Jangmu Sherpa left school at grade 10 and will need two years of extra studies plus three months montessory teaching practice in Kathmandu before qualifying to become a teacher. Pemba Jangmu said yes and with the help of Ang Rita Sherpa of the Himalayan Trust and Ang Phurba Sherpa of Wilderness Experience Pvt. Ltd., Pemba Jamgmu Sherpa starts her studies this month. It is hope within the next five years two other pupils will also be trained to take up similar teaching posts in Phortse. A further £5,000 needs to be raised which will cover all college and exam fees and two years lodging and food in Kathmandu.

Should you wish to help me raise this money the village and students would be very very happy. Please give me a ring on 01953 860156 or e mail me on info@phortsecommunityproject.org.uk.

  
  Project work 2007. Tony Freake Nov 2007  
 

2007 has been a busy time for the project work. During the year I have passed over to my project account in Nepal some £10,000. Most of this money went into the building of a Community Centre for the phortse community. On the 25th October I was invited to open the centre much to the enjoyment of the village people and of course myself. David Hannah, A friend from Old Buckenham, Norfolk, where I now live, also experienced the occasion.

The community are very keen to protect the Sherpa traditions and cultual way of life of the village. The centre will be used by the 'Ladies Group' for Sherpa folk song and dance. The Sherpanies will also hold a workshop and encourage the begining of a 'cottage industry'. In the upper floor it is hoped to install a library and a learning centre for the young and old. With respect to the library it is hoped the Read Organisation will get involved.

£1,000 has also been transferred to refabricate the Old School building, which needs attention since the new school was built in 1999. This work will be carried out by the village people themselves. The Old School will continue to house the Youth Club for table tennis. Monies from the project account have also gone into replenishing the sports equipment, namely table tennis bats and balls, and badminton equipment. A 1 1/2m high wire mesh will be erected along to stop the school play area.

The clinic is working very well with Lhakpa Yangjin Sherpa, the Health Worker, also taking on three hours per day teaching at the primary school. The PCP is continuing to pay for her services for one year. However a donar is required to continue her teaching for at least another two years (£270 per year).

The Primary School has lost two teachers and hopefully they will be replaced in the not to distant future. There is now some 35 children at the school ages from 4 to 12 or up to grade 5. After this time they go onto the secondary school at Khumjung. Should anyone wish to take some time out to teach at the school that would be most helpful.

With the support of a kind benifactor, artists are at hand painting some lovely murals on the inside walls of the Gomba (Tibetan Buddhist Temple). Now that the Gomba has a court yard, built again with money from the project A/C and money from the Himalayan Trust, in June of each year the Sherpa festival 'Dumje' is celebrated at the Gomba.

Whilst in the village this year a kind trekker gave me US$200 for the project. This I used to help a six year old girl who needed urgent medical treatment in Kathmandu - thank you Sue.

The electricity I helped put into the village some three years ago is continuing to go well with two new young Sherpas from the village being trained up to run the plant. All the houses and community buildings have electricity, be it that some of the older housesholds only have four light bulbs.

Drinking water seems to be quite plentiful for the community be it that the flow is rather low during some of the year.

  
  Political situation in Nepal Tony Freake Mar 2006  
 
It would appear there are still serious political troubles in Nepal due to the cancellation of the Maorist's cease-fire and recent national elections called by the King.

However the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office are now not saying not to go to Nepal, but go with care. Once out of Kathmandu there are no political proplems in the Khumbu area of Nepal. The Lukla airport is open and all is well. Anybody visiting the area will get a very big welcome from the Sherpa people. Try a trek up to the village of Phortse and beyond.

  
  Dumje Festival Tony Freake Feb 2006  
 

Sheila and I have been invited back to Nepal in June/July to join the village community of Phortse in celebrating their very first Dumje Festival to be held within their own village. This has only been possible now that the village has its own Gomba and Sherpa Cultural Theatre and Courtyard. The Rimpoche of Tengboche will be the principal guest to officiate over the festival.

Please feel free to accompany Sheila and I to Phortse.

  
  Community Conservation Centre Tony Freake Jan 2006  
 

With the agreement of the Phortse Village Committee it is suggested that a multipurpose building be built on the present site of the 'old school building'. The building will be on two levels, the lower level to house the existing Youth Club together with a Village Telephone/Electricity Office. The upper floor to house a School Libraray, Teachers' Room and Classroom/Workshop area for mature students to invest in 'Cottage Industry'. If room is available the building will also house a 'Sherpa Museum'.

Funding is now being sought.

  
  Lhakpa Yangjin Sherpa Tony Freake Aug 2005  
 
I am pleased to report that Lhakpa Yangjin Sherpa who passed her certificate to teach at primary level and has also passed her medical certificate to be a health worker. Lhakpa was supervised during her medical practical training under the watchful eye of Dr Kama Temba Sherpa at Khunde Hospital.

Lhakpa is at present working in the Medical Clinic and teaching English, part time, at the Primary School in Phortse.

  
  Phortse Micro Hydro Power Project Tony Freake Aug 2005  
 

After 8 years of planning the village of Phortse has now got electricity. It was in December 1997 that I was requested to help the village obtain electricity and on the 11th July, 2005 that dream was fulfilled. Various schemes were considered, but in 2004 a Micro Hydro scheme was agreed and an order placed with a Nepalese company to build a 60kw Turbine, the generator being built in India. The khonar river, a kilometre away from the village, was selected to be the source to turn the turbine. 48Kw of electricity supplies some 80 households, Gomba, School and Medical Centre. The scheme cost some Nrs82Lhaks (£68,300) and is reported to be the cheapest MH scheme for its size to be installed in Nepal. The principal donors being the Phortse Community Project including 20,000e from members of the Austrian Alpine Club, Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Programme, TRPAP a Nepalese Government concern, the Buffer Zone Committee and Khumjung Village Development Committee. The village community provided all the manual labour and assisted the engineers.

Regarding plant maintenance; two men from the village, Mingma Chirring Sherpa and Passang Tenzing Sherpa have been trained as electricians to not only look after the plant but carry out any aditional electrical wiring. In buying Nepalese equipment, which helped the Nepal economy, means that spare parts are more easily available when required.

Sincere thanks must go to Ang Danu Sherpa, Manager and Ang Chhiring Sherpa, Chief Engineer of the Khumjum Bijuli Company, KBC and the company's skilled engineers (the red cap Brigade) for managing and installing the plant.

  
  Drinking Water and Drainage Project Tony Freake Aug 2005  
 

Although drinking water was laid on by the Himalayan Trust many years ago the 1" plastic pipeline tends to freeze-up during the winter months and the water is not very accessible for all the households. Two of the three concrete resevoirs have cracked. In 2004 it was decided to investigate a new source for drinking water, which was found high above the village and tapped into three large resevoirs sunken into the ground. The water then taken by sunken pipelines to four water points. It is interesting to note that it was the ladies of the village who prefered the four water points as opposed to having water-on-tap in their respective houses. The new supply started to flow in May, 2005.

The cost of the the project was some Nrs10Lhks (£8,000). The principal donars being Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Programme, TRPAP (Nrs31/2Lhks) and the Phortse Community Project, PCP. A very generous £2,750 was raised by the children of St. Mary's Primary School, East Barnet, Herts., England. The community is indebted to Engineers of the Khumbu Bijuli Co., KBC for designing and installing the scheme. The local people provided freely their labour and assisted the engineers.

  
  Drinking Water Extention. Tony Freake Aug 2005  
 
Due to under funding of the Water & Drainage Project it is now necessary to raise a further Nrs142,750 (£1,200) to extend the drinking water and drainage to the school and medical centre area. Hopefully this will be done in the Autumn 05 after the crops have been gathered in. I am now looking for financial support for this project.
  
  The Dhewang Tony Freake Jul 2005  
 

In June, 05 the Dhewang, Sherpa Culture Theatre, and Courtyard was completed.I had designed it to be a single story building complementing the Gomba built in 1997 and filling the area between the Gomba and the Monk's Quarter. Due to the generosity of he Himalayan Trust the framework on the East side became two story. The Dhewang proposed by The Mountain Institute, TMI, cost some Nrs12Lhks (£9,600). TMI put up 5Lhks, and matched by the local community and Phortse Community Project, the HT gave 2Lhks. The communities appreciation must go to Ang Rita Sherpa of the TMI for all his hard work on the project.

Having built the Dhewang it was possible to hold the inauguration ceremony of 'switching on the electricity' in the courtyard. This was a very happy and joyful occasion where I was presented with a 'Letter of Facilitation' and dressed in Tibetan/Sherpa National dress. After dinner the festivities were completed by hours of Sherpa dance.

With the building of the Dhewang the Phortse community will be able to hold the Sherpa Dhumje festival in their own village for the very first time. This is an important advancement for the village and training is now in progress at the Tenboche Monastery for the festible to be help in June 2006.

  
  Yangjin and Lakhpa Tony Freake Jan 2005  
 

I am pleased to report that Dawa Yangjin Sherpa has passed her final teaching diploma examinations. Yangjin, as she likes to be known, was the very first young person in the village of Phortse to have passed the School Leaving Certificate, SLC. Having gone through the village primary school Yangjin went onto the secondary school at Khumjung, founded by Sir Edmund Hillary. Due to the lack of money, Yangjin could not board in Khumjung so for three years walked from Phortse to Khumjung every day, some 2 1/2 hours each way. Now there is a hostel at Khumjung for the Phortse children. On achieving her SLC and with the help of the Phortse Community Project and a generous donor Yangjin went to college in Kathmandu where she passed her first diploma to teach at a primary school then went on to complete her studies to be able to teach at a secondary school. Yangjin, who is now studying German, is at the moment working for a German Travel Company in Kathmandu.

Lakhpa Yangjin Sherpa, also from Phortse has passed her Teachers' Diploma and hopefully soon will be able to teach at the Phortse Primary School. Lakhpa has recently taken her final written exam to become a Community Medical Assistant, CMA, and is currently completing her practical training at the Khunde Hospital under Dr Kami Temba Sherpa, Khunde Hospital's first resident doctor. On qualifying, Lakhpa as well as teaching at the village school, will also assist and finally take over the health duties in Phortse.

The two girls are a credit to the Sherpa people of Phortse and are a testimonial to what can be achieved if given the chance. I must record my thanks to the Himalayan Trust and those who also financially helped both girls through college.

  
  A Dhewang (Sherpa culture theatre) Tony Freake Dec 2004  
 

The Mountain Institute, TMI, a NGO working in Nepal, in developing 'The Pilgrim's Trail' proposed that a Dhewang should be built in Phortse to compliment the Gomba built in 1996.

A report compiled by Pahadibikas, a Hill Development and Conservation Group, HDCG, felt that such a Dhewang would enhance the life of the people of Phortse and preserve the culture life of the Sherpa people in the region in general. The culture theatre should have a covered seated gallery with an inner court yard capsulated between the front of the Gomba and the Monk's House.

The estimated cost of such a Dhewang for Phortse would be 10 lakhs. TMI providing 5 lakhs and the Phortse Community Project equally funding 5 lakhs with the Phortse community. The Dhewang has been designed and is waiting approval from both the Phortse community and TMI.

When completed, hopefully by July 05 the village community will be able to hold their own festivals within their village without the costly expense of travelling to Pangboche.

  
  Phortse Micro Hydro Power Project Tony Freake Dec 2004  
 

In December 1997 I was requested to help the village of Phortse obtain electricity. Having tried installing a micro hydro scheme using Austrian made equipment I found the scheme too costly and not economical. A power line project, The Khumjung-Phortse Electricity Transmission Line Project was investigated but again found to be too expensive and environmentally unacceptable to the National Park Authorities.

So it was not until May 2004 that a meeting was convened in Namche to again consider a micro hydro scheme based on using equipment manufactured in Nepal with the exception of the generator which would be built in India. Ang Danu Sherpa, Manager of KBC was commissioned to write a Pre-Feasibility Study and make the necessary calculations and drawings to show that a 60Kw Pelton Turbine powered by water from the Konar river could produce sufficient electricity for the village at a reasonable price.

In August 2004 the Pre-Feasibility Study was compiled, presented and accepted by; The Chief Warden of the Sagarmatha National Park, TRPAP, Namche Buffer Zone Management Committee, the village people of Phortse and myself. The cost of the scheme was estimated at Nrs7m, which would be shared by the above, PCP providing the largest share including Nrs1.9m from members of the Austrian Alpine Club. Engineers from KBC would do all the technical work supported by the villagers themselves doing the manual work. Two local Sherpas were trained by KBC to be electricians to do all the necessary house wiring and carry out maintenance. It is expected that the project will be completed by the end of June, 05.

  
  Phortse Drinking Water Scheme Tony Freake Dec 2004  
 

In conjunction with the Sagarmatha National Park,SNP, Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Project,TRPAP and Namche Buffer Zone Management Committee the Khumbu Bijuli Company Pvt.Ltd., KBC under the company's Manager Ang Danu Sherpa and the company Chief Engineer, Ang Cherring Sherpa designed a Drinking Water and Drainage Scheme for the village of Phortse.

Water is being tapped-off high above the village and fed into a system of tanks and reservoirs to four water points in the village. The scheme was started in the Autumn of 2004 and will be completed in the Spring of 2005.

The estimated cost of the scheme being NRs650,000 principally funded by TRPAP and the Phortse Community Project, PCP. Under the PCP the children of St. Mary's Primary School, East Barnet, Herts., England, raised by sponsorship, £2,750 (Nrs360,250). This was a splendid effort by the children and thanked very much by the village community.

  
  Political problems and tourism Tony Freake Oct 2003  
 

Nepal is continuing to be troubled by internal political strife. The agreement of co-operation between the Nepalese Government and the maoists has broken down and fighting has continued. However this should not put tourists off from visiting Nepal. The Maoists have made a proclamation that they would not harm any tourist and have, as far as I am aware, kept to that over the past three years. However I would advise anybody going to the more Western part of Nepal to be careful and to keep to ones own council. Again tourists in the Annapurna and Kanchenjunga areas have been stopped and payment (tax) requested. The payments have not been excessive and usually delt through the group's Sirdar. As for the Solu Khumbu, Everest's District the area is well guarded by the army and apart from a skirmish some time ago no Maoist activities have been recorded. In the Kathmandu valley and in the capital itself there has been some trouble with strikes (bandas) and curfews. However again no tourists have been put to any great inconvenience, but it is still wise not to go out looking for trouble.

For those going to Nepal please refer to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office guidlines and recommendations to nationals: www.fco.gov.uk

  
  Up date on project work Tony Freake Oct 2003  
 

As to project work in the village of Phortse - both a power line and micro hydro scheme are being investigated to provide electricity for the village. An organisation, Alternative Energy Promotions Centre, AEPC, has been requested to carry out a further survey for a micro hydro scheme in using the Konar river, but with an increased water flow by diverting water into it from another nearby river. Should AEPC assist in the funding Phortse will have electricity in the not so distant future.

Once electricity has been brought to Phortse consideration can then be given to pumping water around the village and allow each Sherpa home to have 'water on tap'.

  
  Encouraging education Tony Freake Oct 2003  
 

Through the Phortse Community Project and the Himalayan Trust financial support is being given to a young Sherpa lady from Phortse to study in Kathmandu. Dawa Yangjin Sherpa was the first person from her village ever to have gained a School Leaving Certificate, SLC, after attending the Hillary Secondary School at Khumjung. Yangji, as she likes to be known by, then passed a Teachers Diploma Certificate course and soon will be starting her final year on a Higher Diploma course, leading to a degree in Education, B.Ed. It is hoped that one day Miss Dawa Yangjin Sherpa will be the Head Mistress of the Phortse Primary School.

Lhakpa Yangjin Sherpa, another young lady from Phortse is also being financially supported through the Phortse Community Project and the Himalayan Trust. Lhakpa also passed her SLC and Teacher Diploma Certificate and is at present about to start a Community Medical Assistant course, CMA, to become a Health Worker. It is hoped that Lhakpa will, on qualifying, take over the Health Workers duties in Phortse and also teach at the new primary school.

Hopefully one day the two girls will transform education and medical care in Phortse and be roll models to the younger generation to excel at school.

Should you wish to financially help these two ladies with their studies or help with the electricity or water projects, please contact Papa Tony.

  
  The Namche Conference – May 24-26, 2003. Tony Freake Apr 2003  
 

Hosted by HMG, Dept of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation of Nepal, United Nations University and Bridges-PRTD.

Celebrating:

  • The Jubilee year of climbing Everest.
  • Sagarmatha National Park; A Quarter Century of Progress in Conservation.
  • The role of parks in natural and cultural preservation of remote destination and in the development of mountain ecotourism.

Papa Tony has been invited to attend and give a paper on his project work at the conference being convened at Namche in the Solu Khumbu District of Nepal. It is understood it will be the highest venue for a conference ever to be held in the world.

Whilst in Nepal Tony will discuss the Phortse Grid Extension Project and visit the village of Phortse.

  
  Dawa Yangjin Sherpa returns to Kathmandu Tony Freake Feb 2003  
 

In continuing to support the village people of Phortse Sheila and Tony Freake invited a young Sherpa girl from the village, Dawa Yangjin Sherpa, to England to study English during her vocational period from college in Kathmandu.

Yangji, as she likes to be known first attended the primary school at Phortse then went onto the secondary school at Khumjung, a school founded by Sir Edmund Hillary. Before finding boarding accommodation, Yangji for several months, walked three hours each way every day from Phortse to the Khumjung School. On passing her School Leaving Certificate, SLC, the first young person to do so from the village of Phortse, the Himalayan Trust paid Yangji’s fees to attend a two year Diploma course at a Government college in Kathmandu. During the two years a kind person from the UK funded her everyday needs.

Yangji, passed her teaching diploma course allowing her to teach at primary level. Papa Tony then invited Yangji to continue her studies by taking a three year Higher Diploma Course, B.Ed., which once passed would allow Yangji to teach at a Secondary school. Again the Himalayan Trust paid the fees and the same kind person paid her living expenses in Kathmandu.

Having completed her first year, Yangji came to England during her four months vacation period. Whilst staying in Barnet Yangji attended, every afternoon, a English course for Foreign Students at Barnet College. Two mornings a week she helped with the Reception class at St. Mary’s Primary School, East Barnet and to raise some pocket money, to help her family back in Nepal and educate her younger brother, Yangji did a very early morning paper round.

Yangji, who is 20, is now back at college in Kathmandu working very hard on her 2nd year course. Yangji, would like to thank all those that also financially supported her during her very happy stay in the UK.

  
  Users Committee Tony Freake Feb 2003  
 

In 1999 a ‘Buffer Zone Management Guideline’ was approved by HM Government of Nepal and in 2002 a Users Committee was set up. When the EIA report is finally accepted by HM Government it is hoped through the Users Committee the power line project from Khumjung to Phortse and then possibly onto Pangboche will be activated.

  
  The Phortse Grid Extension Project Tony Freake Dec 2002  
 

In November instead of giving permission for the electricity project to go ahead the Nepalese Government, Ministry of Water Resources called for a further report to be written. The new Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, report is a more detailed report than the one previously presented and will possibly take some eighteen months to prepare. Although frustrating, for we felt we were almost there to begin phase one it will allow more time to raise the necessary money to carry out the whole project.

Should you wish to contribute to the project please send a cheque to: The Phortse Community Project, c/o Tony Freake, Namaste, 36 Holyrood Road, New Barnet, Herts., EN5 1DG, England.

  
  Langtang and Phortse Tony Freake Jul 2002  
 

In April/May 02 Papa Tony, President of the Austrian Alpine Club (UK) led a 32 member trek into the Langtang area of Nepal. On completing the trek eight members re-visited Phortse, some continuing onto Gokyo and Gokyo Ri.

In Phortse the members gave the new Primary School a 'spring clean'. A new teacher had been appointed and Lhakpa Yangjin Sherpa, a young girl from Phortse engaged in teaching English and looking after the infant class. Lhakpa was educated at the Phortse school then at the Hillary School at Khumjung and with the help of the Himalayan Trust studied at a College in Bhaktapur.

The group were invited up to the Gomba, which recently been enhanced with eight statues, five from the Himalayan Trust and three clay models beautifully made and painted in the village by Lhakpa Tharkey Sherpa from Phortse.

  

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