Our trekkers enjoyed the special friendship and support of Sarita who as a specialist trek nurse works from Community Action Treks’ base in Kathmandu. While some were particularly grateful for her medical expertise, all of us received encouragement along the way and were captivated by Sarita’s smile and impish sense of humour.
Sarita on the trek
Gemma Stewart, a member of trek 2, said:
I felt privileged to have Sarita on the trek with us. She was happy, helpful and always full of fun. I was delighted to be invited into her home and we keep in touch by email. I am sure we will remain friends for many years to come.
We wanted to profile Sarita for the blog and so she agreed to speak on Skype phone about her life in Nepal and working for CAT. Sarita is married to international mountain leader, Ian Wall, who looks after CAT’s Kathmandu operation and runs Community Action Nepal. They have just moved house and, with time between treks, Sarita is busy organising their home and preparing a vegetable garden.
Sarita has lived in Kathmandu since the age of six when her father took the family to the capital, but her home village is Megri, near Jiri, in north-eastern Nepal. Jiri lies at the eastern end of the highway from Kathmandu, about seven hours by bus, and is the main trail-head for treks and expeditions to the Everest region.
Ian, who is writing a book about the many ethnic groups making up the Nepal population, explained that Sarita is a Tamang, descended from one of the largest Tibeto-Burman speaking groups in Nepal, people who originate from Mongolia, Bhote, from north of the Himalaya.
The word ‘Tamang’ means horse traders, from ‘Ta’ – horse and ‘Mang’ – traders. It is thought that at one time they were sent south from the Tibetan plateau to keep the Tibetan army supplied with horses. Many of the men trained as Buddhist monks in order to become recognised lamas, or holy men. Traditionally, while the first son helped on the land, the second-born son went to the monastery. This fulfilled two functions: firstly it took one mouth out of the family struggle for food and secondly it was for education. Tamangs are now agriculturalists. In time this sect became a sub-caste of the Tamangs and the sons of lamas married daughters of lamas. They are now a recognised sub group of the Tamangs, based on the fact that the men are trained to perform all the religious ceremonies – almost identified by their ‘profession’ – although today they won’t all be practising lamas in crimson robes, maybe just for their family and friends.
After attending a girls’ high school in Kathmandu, Sarita progressed to professional education in nursing which included on-the-job training in a government hospital and working in a polio eradication programme. Six years ago Sarita was working for a small non-governmental organisation (NGO) when she saw a job advert in a newspaper for what she thought sounded like interesting work with Community Action Nepal.
The work with CAN/CAT is varied. Our first attempt to speak on Skype was postponed when Sarita and Ian had to deal with an emergency involving the evacuation by helicopter of a trekker suffering from a severe infection. Sarita is responsible for maintaining the medical equipment carried on treks and for distributing medicines to the mountain health posts established and supported by CAN. Trekkers are asked to donate unused medicines at the end of treks.
Sarita with trek leader Jeff Frew
It sounds like 2010 will be a busy year for Sarita. There will be the health camp organised by Ian in the Khumbu district, the British Heart Foundation’s fund-raising trek to Everest Base Camp, and the Himalayan Rescue Association of Nepal’s medical clinic, also at Everest Base Camp. It was while on a previous BHF trek to Everest Base Camp that Sarita met Grant Gilroy and so she was involved in the early discussions with Grant and Jeff about taking a group of young people from Scotland trekking in Nepal.
Sarita has a range of other interests, including helping Ian with CAN’s porter shelter construction project, involvement in the International Porter Protection Group established by Australian Dr Jim Duff, and studying for a part-time degree in rural development. For relaxation, Sarita enjoys embroidery and she hope to fit in time to learn piano.
Who Cares? Scotland plans to develop the relationship with CAN and our trekkers, particularly the young people, are pleased that it will mean we can keep in touch with Sarita and Ian. Sarita said of our fund-raising for the school at Chite Tilahar:
If they can do anything helpful, it is appreciated.
Sarita with the girls on Trek 2
David Dunne, Who Cares? Chair and a young person on trek 1 said:
Sarita was like a pillar of strength and support and was really warm and welcoming. And it was amazing to meet her.
Nicola Corbett, who met Sarita on trek 2 said:
Sarita is the kindest person I have ever met. She is just so full of joy and I wish her the very best on her future. Love, Nicola xxxxxxxxxx
I was desperate to get involved in Who Cares? Scotland’s ‘Reaching Higher’ project from the minute I heard about it. Thanks to Lynne and Grant I got a Yes! 
If you could describe your experience of Nepal in one word what would it be? Humbling, because I hadn’t given any previous consideration to the poverty of people over there and the difference that we can make with very little effort to ourselves.
