Hi! My name is Jen Willis. I’m 50 years old, a single mum to three wonderful humans, I have Multiple Sclerosis and I'm dedicated to helping the almost 2 million people living with MS worldwide by fundraising for MS research, while also raising funds to support underprivileged children in the Himalayas
In October I am travelling on a 51-day expedition to the Himalayas where I will summit Mera Peak (6476m) and then the spectacular and technical mountain, Ama Dablam (6812m) to raise money for MS Research Australia, the Trish MS Research Foundation and the Forum for the Welfare of Himalayan Children (FWHC).
I'm relying upon aligned and compassionate people to support my journey and this cause by donating to MS Research, to the FWHC , and to travel and equipment expenses and I would deeply value your support!
Please visit my website to learn more about my story, about MS, and about this fundraiser: www.helpcurems.com
My hope is to raise $60,000 for MS research, $25,000 for the FWHC and $15,000 to assist with the many expenses to complete this trip. All donations, no matter how small will help make a big difference!!
If you would like to assist with donations of actual equipment please visit the Sponsors page on my website to find a detailed equipment list.
To learn more about the FWHC please continue reading at the bottom of this page.
Having MS has motivated me to get going and realise my childhood dream of becoming a mountaineer, and through this amazing adventure and by raising funds to help others, I am also finding a great sense of purpose in living with MS.
Thank you so very much for playing an important role in this journey!
About the Forum for the Welfare of Himalayan Children (FWHC):
The FWHC was established in Nepal in 1995 with a German NGO, Freundeskreis Nepalhilfe e.V, supporting the Forum since 1996. The FWHC is registered under Nepalese government regulations to carry out all its activities.
The FWHC has its own Children’s Village near Pokhara that provides housing and primary and secondary education, a youth hostel in Kathmandu to support students through schooling and higher education, and a program to help support remote Himalayan villages with integral infrastructure development.
The children that you see in this lovely video (https://youtu.be/mBpP0eQE1u0) have either lost parents or come from the families of poor villagers who can't afford to support them, were displaced during the earthquakes, or whose parents who have just abandoned them. Many are street children who lived on their own until they were found by local governments and brought to FWHC.
The village educates these children and provides clothes, meals, housing, medical care, and love. FWHC instills a work ethic, discipline, and a set of rules that must be followed. It's the responsibility of each student to wash their clothes, make their bed, work in the garden, and help prepare meals.
It's agreed that the village must generate at least 25% of the expenses in order for the organisation to keep its funding. They do this through activities such as growing their own food, selling arts and crafts, running a guesthouse for tourists, and burning manure from local farmers to heat their stoves.
The amazing housemothers that support, love and provide for the children have created a warm and loving environment, that can be felt as soon as you walk through the doors. The smiles on the faces of the children in the village are truly ones of genuine happiness.
It's heartbreaking to imagine what would happen to these kids without the village. The Forum for the Welfare of Himalayan Children gives them hope. Life hasn't been fair to these children but with the love of a village, these kids can grow and excel in life.
If you feel moved to donate, know that you will truly be helping to change a child’s life.
Ever inspiring Jen. Safe climbing and look forward to sharing a massive hug in due course.