Himalayan Dolpo

Volunteering in the Himalayan Dolpo

by Yuthika Juniper on Aug 22, 2009

Himalayan Dolpo is located 4000m ASL in Western Nepal in the rugged foothills of Himalayas. It is said to be one of the highest habitats of the world. Dolpo people lack health services of any kind, and have neither aroad nor motorized transport to connect them with Kathmandu in theevent of serious illness or accident: they have to trek for four daythrough the mountains with yaks or horses in order to receive help.They have a high infant mortality rate, with many women dying inchildbirth. Ten percent of their children die before maturity, and lifeexpectancy for Dolpo adults is 46 years for women, and 48 years for men. They are Tibetan Buddhists, and if they can afford it, and are fitenough, many people make the journey to Kathmandu to attend religiousceremonies during the winter months -- thus they avoid being snowed inat home, and can stock up with provisions. So In January 2009, the spiritual pastor of the Dolpo community, TulkuSherab Zangpo Rinpoche, guided the establishment...Read More >>