A Southland farmer and her friend are training to tackle the hike to Everest base camp as part of a fundraising campaign.
Kathy Wilson, known around Southland as a dairy farmer, grower and owner of Wilson’s Veg greengrocer, and friend Barb Ellison, a nurse and duty manager at Southland Hospital, are part of the “What’s Your Everest” drive to fundraise $150,000.
The campaign is run by Orphans Aid International to fund projects in India that feed and educate homeless children.
Along with other fundraisers, the duo will visit projects in India, then set off to Nepal to do a 130km hike to Everest base camp.
All money raised will go towards the projects, with the hike to Everest base camp self-funded by each individual.
Wilson said orphans living on the street “do not have anyone fighting for them in their camp”.
Ellison said: “If we don’t stand for orphans who have no mum or dad, people out there will take advantage in the worst possible way. We are snatching them from that outcome.
“Farmers won’t walk past an abandoned lamb.”
Wilson and Ellison said they are fit, but the altitude at base camp and the unknown are daunting.
Wilson aims to raise $5000. She has raised about $1800.
Ellison has an aim of $1000 and has raised $200.
Sue van Schreven, co-founder and CEO of Orphans Aid International, said a school for refugee children and a school for kids living in a leprosy area are among the projects that need funding.
A big concern is areas where child trafficking is rife. Schools and feeding programmes help prevent trafficking, she said.
Van Schreven said huge increases in food costs have made it tough to buy enough food for the schemes.
Fundraising efforts such as What’s Your Everest are crucial.
Orphans Aid has been operating for 20 years, having started in Romania helping children abandoned at hospitals.
The first project in India began in 2007, feeding 20 kids who lived on the street.
That number has since increased to over 1600 children.
About $11,000 in total has been raised for the campaign so far.
