Sir Edmund Hillary Memorial Museum and Elderly Care Center

In 1989, Sir Edmund Hillary and the Himalayan Trust established the Bung Clinic in the remote village of Bung, responding to a request from the late local leader Uttar Kubir. Inspired by his visit to Bung during the 1953 Everest expedition, Sir Edmund aimed to provide essential health services to needy families with limited access. This initiative reflects his long-standing commitment to supporting and uplifting the communities of the Himalayas

Our Initiative

Established in 2017 in Bung, Solukhumbu, Nepal, by The Partners Nepal, Sir Edmund Hillary Stiftung Deutschland, NepalHilfe-Tirol (Austria), and other partners, the center restored Sir Edmund Hillary’s original 1989 clinic. This clinic provided essential health services to Bung and nearby villages until it was destroyed in the 2015 earthquake. The Memorial Museum and Elderly Care Center preserves Sir Edmund’s legacy and continues to serve the local community under the management of its dedicated committee.

This project aimed to restore the clinic built in 1989 by Sir Edmund Hillary to provide health services to Bung, Gudel, Cheskam, Pawai, and Sotang villages. Later, this building collapsed due to the 2015 earthquake that destroyed the original building built by Sir Edmund Hillary. To manage and sustain this project, the Sir Edmund Hillary Memorial Museum and Elderly Care Center Management Committee were established in 2017.

The Bung is one of the remote regions of Solukhumbu located at the southeast of Solukhumbu at an altitude ranging from 1200-2400 m. is situated in Mahakulung Rural Municipality-1, Bung, Solukhumbu district in the Sagarmatha Zone of northeastern Nepal. The population of Bung is widely scattered, with approximately 4500 people living in 900 households spread in 1-9 wards.

ABOUT SIR EDMUND HILLARY MEMORIAL MUSEUM AND ELDERLY CARE CENTERbIN BUNG, SOLUKHUMBU DISTRICT

An elderly care center in Bung, Solukhumbu, plays a vital role in supporting the region’s aging and often isolated population. It provides essential services including basic medical care, nutritious meals, and a safe, dignified living environment. Beyond physical support, the center fosters a strong sense of community, enabling residents to engage in social activities while remaining connected to their cultural heritage. In a region marked by harsh terrain and limited access to healthcare, this facility is an invaluable lifeline for older citizens, ensuring they age with care, respect, and dignity.

Why Support to Sir Edmund Hillary Elderly Care Center?

An elderly care center in Bung, Solukhumbu, is critical to assisting the isolated region’s aging population. It provides critical services such as medical care, healthy meals, and a safe living environment, ensuring that the elderly are given the attention and respect they deserve. The center develops a sense of community by allowing inhabitants to participate in social events while staying connected to their cultural heritage. This facility is an invaluable resource, addressing the issues of aging in a region recognized for its harsh topography and limited access to healthcare.

THE BENEFITS OF SIR EDMUND HILLARY ELDERLY CARE CENTER

The elderly care initiative in Bung, Solukhumbu, greatly strengthens the community by improving the quality of life for seniors through regular medical care, nutritious meals, and meaningful social engagement. It eases the caregiving burden on families, enabling younger members to focus on work and education.

The center also plays a vital role in preserving cultural heritage by supporting elders who are the custodians of local traditions and knowledge. Routine health check-ups help prevent untreated illnesses, enhancing overall community well-being. By providing care locally, the initiative reduces reliance on costly alternatives outside the region, contributing to greater economic stability in Bung.

RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM SIR EDMUND HILLARY STIFTUNG DEUSTCHLAND
AND NEPAL HILFE-TIROL

In October 2016, The Partners Nepal’s funding request was approved by Sir Edmund Hillary Stiftung Deutschland, with matching support from Nepal Hilfe Tirol, Austria. The clinic reconstruction, undertaken by TPN and Hill Development Conservation Group (HDCG), was completed in October 2017. The Sir Edmund Hillary Memorial Museum and Elder Care Centre was inaugurated on October 16, 2017, led by Professor Wolfgang Nairz, Chairman of Nepal Hilfe Tirol. Afterward, it was registered with the District Development Committee, and a nine-member management committee was formed.

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE PARTNERS NEPAL TO THE ELDERLY CARE PROJECT

The Partners Nepal (TPN) has been a key partner in the Elderly Care Project in Bung, Solukhumbu, since 2016, supporting vulnerable seniors in remote areas with limited healthcare and social services. With generous contributions—TPN provides essential medical care, nutritious meals, and improved living conditions. TPN has also strengthened the center’s infrastructure, creating safe living quarters and welcoming social spaces while promoting community involvement for long-term sustainability. By caring for elders as custodians of local traditions, TPN helps preserve Solukhumbu’s cultural heritage and ensures seniors can age with dignity and respect.

SUPPORT RECEIVED FROM LIGHT EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (LED)

Light Educational Development (LED), through **Val Pitkethly—TPN’s Advisor and a longtime friend and dedicated supporter of mountain communities in Nepal—**has been a valued partner in advancing our mission. LED has supported TPN’s reforestation initiatives in Solukhumbu and Langtang, as well as the Sir Edmund Hillary Memorial Museum and the Elderly Care Center in Bung, Solukhumbu District.

In response to limited access to electricity in the region, LED generously provided solar lights to the Elderly Care Center, offering a practical and user-friendly solution that has significantly improved daily living conditions.

In June 2024, LED further extended financial support, enabling the purchase of steel closets for each resident’s room. These provide a safe and private space for storing clothing, blankets, and bedding—enhancing comfort, dignity, and organization for the elderly residents. LED also contributed two boxes of essential medicines for the clinic maintained at the Center. The residents have expressed heartfelt appreciation for LED’s continued support, which has meaningfully improved their quality of life.

SUPPORT RECEIVED FROM DR. OMOTANI AND DR. BARBARA OMOTANI

Since 2023, The Partners Nepal (TPN) has been supported by Dr. Les Omotani and Dr. Barbara Omotani, a longtime mentor and International Advisor. Demonstrating their deep commitment to community welfare, Dr. Omotani has generously provided financial assistance to strengthen the Elderly Care Center in Bung through the Omotani Caring Foundation (OCF).

In honor of Valerie Sauer and Dr. Ken Sauer of Alberta, Canada, OCF has contributed a dryer, a Nuga Best therapy machine, a complete set of new blankets, bed and pillow sheets for all 10 bedrooms, and full project funding for the construction of the Center’s boundary fencing.

With this support, TPN has also supplied steel closets to securely store residents’ belongings, along with additional bed sheets, clothing, and pillows. All beds, blankets, and pillow covers have been replaced, and a flat-screen television has been installed to provide comfort and recreation for the elderly residents.

For more information, please download the Final Updates: Sir Edmund Hillary Museum and Elderly Care Center in Bung (2019).