Edmund Hillary in Bung
Bung-1, Solukhumbu

Sir Edmund Hillary Memorial Museum and Elderly Care Center

Starting 09 Feb 2025 - Closing 28 May 2021

Brief History of Sir Edmund Hillary Memorial Museum and Elderly Care Center

In 1989, Sir Edmund Hillary and the Himalayan Trust Nepal 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

The Sir Edmund Hillary Memorial Museum and Elderly Care Centre in Bung, Solukhumbu, honors Sir Edmund Hillary’s legacy as one of the first climbers to summit Mount Everest in 1953 with Tenzing Norgay. The center serves as both a museum commemorating his contributions and a facility providing care for the elderly in the community. It reflects Hillary’s dedication to improving the lives of Solukhumbu’s diverse communities through healthcare, education, and cultural preservation.

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, significantly benefits the local community by enhancing the quality of life for seniors through medical care, nutritious meals, and social activities, while also easing the caregiving burden on families, allowing younger members to focus on work and education. The center plays a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage by supporting elders who safeguard local traditions and knowledge. Regular health check-ups help prevent untreated illnesses, promoting overall community health, while localizing elderly care reduces the need for costlier options, contributing to the region’s economic stability.

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 areas with limited healthcare and social services. Thanks to generous contributions, especially from Dr. Les and Barbara Omotani, TPN provides essential healthcare, nutritious meals, and improved living conditions for the elderly. TPN has also enhanced the center’s infrastructure, ensuring safe quarters and social spaces while fostering community involvement for sustainability. By supporting the elderly 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)

DEVELOPMENT (LED) through Val Pitkethly, a long-time friend and dedicated supporter of mountain communities in Nepal. LED has been actively supporting TPN’s reforestation projects in Solukhumbu and Langtang, as well as the Sir Edmund Hillary Memorial Museum and Elderly Care Center in Bung, Solukhumbu district. Previously, LED generously provided solar lights for the elderly care center, addressing the lack of electricity in the region. The solar lights proved to be practical and easy to operate. In June 2024, LED contributed $2,000 to the elderly care center, which was used to provide steel closets for each room. These closets were highly valued by the elderly, offering a safe and private space to store extra bed sheets, clothing, and blankets when not in use. The residents expressed strong appreciation for the steel closets and solar lights’ support in improving their quality of life.

SUPPORT RECEIVED FROM DR. OMOTANI

Since 2023, The Partners Nepal has received support from Dr. Les Omotani, a longtime mentor and International Advisor to TPN. Dr. Omotani has shown great interest in supporting the elderly care center and providing financial assistance. With his generous contribution, TPN has supplied steel closets for securing belongings, as well as extra bed sheets, clothes, and pillows, and replaced all beds, blankets, pillow covers, and flat Television for them to watch.

For more information, you can download Final Updates Sir Edmund Hillary Museum And Elderly Care Center In Bung 2019