This was a quick 10 day trek, with just me and Tsering Sherpa, Khancha and Maila from Kathmandu. We delivered solar lights to the villages of Gumgoan, Sebugoan, Nyn, Shyalagompa, Honsampagompa, Hinan, Tonggompa and Samdu in the Manaslu region of Nepal. We also delivered solar lights to the hostel at the Samagoan school and medical supplies to Samagoan’s Phase health post.

This trip entailed crossing the scariest bridge ever, and consuming the standard Tibetan butter tea in copious quantities. I am very appreciative of the hospitality offered by Bhadur, the headmaster at the Samagoan school, his wife Latchme, and all the locals in this region, especially Mingma Dorje from Lhi.

We also followed up with the little girl with the facial burns. We arranged to have her go to Kathmandu and receive treatment for the infection at a volunteer plastic surgery camp. The doctor there agreed to provide plastic surgery over the next two years. LED will cover the travel costs to ensure she can get there and back as her village is a 4 day trek from the nearest road head. The nearest Phase health post worker will help coordinate this with us.

Contributed by Val Pitkethly