? Walk for Water: The Kamala Yonzon Tahrayli Foundation will hold a fundraising all-ages walk from Panorama Park to Quarry Rock and back in Deep Cove, Saturday, June 15, 8: 30 a.m.-4 p.m. After the walk there will be a picnic with traditional Nepali food. Minimum donation: $20. Funds raised will go towards helping to bring water to a remote village in Nepal. Info: kytfoundation.org.
FROM an early age, Kamala Yonzon's father instilled in her the importance of staying positive in the face of adversity.
She recalls his firm-held belief that one should have a vision and walk towards it, believing in the power of positive thinking, rather than letting doubt prevail.
Yonzon, who grew up in Healay Chaubas, a small village in a remote region of Nepal, moved to North Vancouver, her current home, in 1988 at age 22. However, she has never forgotten her village nor her late father's message and he would be proud as she remains committed to their shared vision of offering support to their community.
Yonzon recently founded the Kamala Yonzon Tahrayli Foundation and it has two goals: first to bring water to Healay Chaubas, as residents must currently trek an hour to the nearest clean source; and second, to establish a hospital to serve the village.
To raise funds in support of both projects, Yonzon, with the support of others involved in the foundation, is presenting the inaugural Walk for Water, from Deep Cove's Panorama Park to
Quarry Rock and back, Saturday, June 15.
The participants' journey, about an hour each way, is intended to simulate the trek the people in Healay Chaubas make to get water, sometimes four-five times a day.
The foundation needs $15,000 to establish a water source in the village.
"It's a slow process," says Yonzon, adding, "It's taking time.
In addition to next weekend's Walk for Water, the foundation is continuing to conduct other fundraising initiatives, including craft sales.
Once water is brought to the village, the foundation plans to get going with the hospital project, to be built on land donated by Yonzon's family.
"They are waiting for us," she says.
Medical care does not currently exist in Healay Chaubas (the nearest hospital is in Kathmandu, a day-long journey by foot and bus rides, weather-permitting). The length of time required to get medical attention continues to have dire consequences on some community members, ranging from serious infections to miscarriages, both of which Yonzon has witnessed firsthand, and both of which could be preventable with earlier intervention, adding further urgency to her quest.
The planned hospital will not only work to save lives, but will offer education and social support to residents.
Yonzon is grateful for the continued assistance of her family, friends and neighbours who continue to help with the foundation and its initiatives.
"That helps big time," she says, adding it means a lot to her and helps her stay positive.
As the Kamala Yonzon Tahrayli Foundation is still relatively new, Yonzon hopes the upcoming Walk for Water helps raise awareness of its existence and inspires more local residents to get involved.
"I'm hoping this walk will maybe spread more word out and let people know, the North Shore especially," says Yonzon. "In North Van we have lots of water and. . . . we just want to let others know what it's like not having water."
For more information on the Walk for Water or to get involved with the Kamala Yonzon Tahrayli Foundation, visit kytfoundation.org.
