It’s both scary and exciting to think that I’ll soon leave my little family for three weeks, to travel to the Himalaya mountains to help a medical team bring health care to people in remote rural Nepal.
How did that reality come to me ? I remember being really inspired by photographer Deborah Donenfeld when she embarked on the first Humla Fund humanitarian trip in 2014. One day over dinner I must have mentioned how envious I was, and how I’d love to launch similar adventure. Purely hypothetically of course. Beware of what you wish for! On 50th birthday, my husband surprised me with this very unique present: he had put me on the list for the next trip.
My reaction was a mix of thrill and chill! It took a few weeks to silence the urban girl (“noooo…sleeping in a tent for two weeks in the cold!”) and to wake up the adventurous mountain girl (she had gone into deep hibernation over all those years since living in the Alps).
Passing the interview to qualify for the adventure gave me further strength: my mental disposition and fitness level seemed good enough… yes, I can do it! OK, maybe with a bit of extra training, and mental and physical preparation (should I really sleep in the garden?). Now it’s also time to prepare on a practical level. All the volunteers of the expedition are asked to raise the necessary funds by June.
Would you consider helping me realise this ambition, and help people in the poorest region of Nepal, who are far from medical attention?
You can find out more by visiting my page on fundly.com/medical-trip-to-humla-nepal.
No amount is too small to be meaningful for me. Even 1£ will be highly appreciated. I will do the long hours of walking thinking of those who have helped me, and they will be present in the rituals and the richest moments of this adventure.
I’ll post more at return in October – stay tuned!
PS : A particular THANK to Michelle Marshall (michelle-marshall.com), Vanessa Boz (bozaround.com) and Sophie Demenge (Oeuf) for their generosity.
Florence Rolando
I founded Pirouette Blog in November 2008. Today I am a contributor, looking with delight how the blog is developing with Katie as the new boss!
Subscribe to Pirouette's monthly Newsletter.
You might also like
September 11, 2017
4 days and counting. Florence departs on humanitarian trip to Nepal – Humla Fund
It's a busy week for Florence in the lead up to the start of her trip to Nepal. She is part of a medical team bringing healthcare to people in remote rural Nepal. I was able to catch her for a quick…
May 6, 2017
Muskhane, Handmade in Nepal
The clothing and homeware of Muskhane is inspired by the energy of Nepal, entirely handmade in a palette of rich and vibrant colors. The home collection, in felted wool brings softness and good…
September 20, 2016
Going On A Humanitarian Trip With Children
Want to raise socially conscious children, and take part in a family humanitarian trip? For children who live a privileged Western/urban life, participating in this kind of adventure is a chance to…
March 6, 2015
Science and Silliness
Since we visited Patagonia and learned about the straights of Magellan - tracing the H.M.S. Beagle's voyage on a map - Darwin has captured our girls' imaginations. The imaginations of Darwin's own…
February 17, 2014
Happyéti : Hats, chapkas and sweaters made in Nepal
Very special and quirky, the hats and sweaters by Happyeti are handcrafted in a traditional way by Nepalese artisans in the heart of the Himalayas. The brand was launched in 2011, with he aim to…
February 11, 2013
In the mood for wood
Clogs are on trend. It reminds me of a pair I bought while on holidays in Forte dei Marmi (Italy) with my parents when I was about 14 years old. I was able to chose the shape of the sole, the type of…
March 17, 2012
france culture
When I was living in New York I was in love with European stores, and now that I am based in Europe, I buy most of my things in the Big Apple (the change rate is in my favour!). The grass is always…
November 26, 2011
The Tree
I watched two movies from Pirouettte interviews recently and I really liked them : The boy with the stripes pyjamas (Thanks Jenny Dalton) and Last train home (Thanks Lisa Wong). Today it's my…