The need
Why the Himalaya
The Juniper Fund was founded to support communities in the Himalaya, one of the top trekking and climbing destinations in the world. While the industry is thriving due to the demand to experience the magic of these mountain communities, the realities of life for many Nepalese residents is less than ideal.
Nepal is an impoverished country, with few jobs, so over 3 million workers are forced to leave the country to find an income that will sustain their family.
Mountain tourism is the most prosperous option in-country, due to huge demand for climbing and trekking.
The backbone of this industry are high-altitude workers, who take on extreme risk to ensure safe expeditions for foreign climbers.
Even for the highest paid guides, a season’s salary will at best sustain a family for two years.
48 high-altitude workers have died in the Himalaya alone since 2014. Their families only receive a maximum of $15,000 in government insurance, most of which is used to support the community and funeral costs.
Without support, these families, so vital to the trekking and climbing industry, have the potential to sink into poverty, abandon education, and women may be ostracized without a husband, and have nowhere to turn.
