Tuesday 29th March, 10am Kathmandu.

Is your company profitable?

Diary by Terry Kell

Yesterday we met with the director of the Child Haven orphanage in Kathmandu, Argen, to discuss the needs of the orphanage before we went shopping. We took the money we’d raised at the Data Assault seminars in Ottawa and Toronto and went to a music store and bought a Yamaha keyboard, so that the children can learn to play the piano. Then we went on to a sports store and bought ping pong balls and paddles, tennis balls, soccer balls, skipping ropes, board games, chess sets and lots of other sporting items. Finally we visited a school supplies store and bought pens, paper, pencils, erasers and all manner of things for the children.

To travel to the orphanage we had to go through the poorest part of Kathmandu with unbelievable poverty. I can’t comprehend how people live, in filth and rags, in holes and hovels. This poverty is very hard to describe and a far cry from the comforts of most Canadians.

By contrast, the orphanage was bright and cheerful. They look after 123 orphans, who are well cared for, bright, happy and speak English well. Everyone in the expedition was very touched by our reception. The girls put on a charming welcoming dance for us and then they asked us lots of questions. One of the boys, who was 16, asked if Kanatek is a profitable company and whether it paid taxes! He’ll go far, I’m sure! I wonder if the Canada Revenue Agency knows about him?

Later, when we got back to the hotel, we worked with Sean Egan to sort out his equipment for his ascent, fitting boots and crampons.

More later.

Terry