Tuesday, December 8, 2009

First Post! Who we are and what we do!


Hello! Welcome to our blog!

Let me just take the time to talk about who we are and what we are doing in Nepal!

My name is Andrew Andreachuk and I am a fifth year education/biology student at the University of Lethbridge. I am a board member of Uphill Both Ways Education and Relief Fund.

Uphill Both Ways was developed after a trip in 2005, when Janelle Pritchard, founder and president of Uphill Both Ways and a group of southern Albertans went trekking in Nepal. After witnessing the state of extreme poverty, they decided to make a small contribution to improve the state of one rural school. A simple act of generosity involving a few hundred dollars was sufficient to purchase an incredible volume of teaching supplies, books, and educational resources. A dilapidated shack full of eager young children was turned into a classroom, and started an incredible chain reaction. Three years, another trek, and a few thousand dollars later, several remote villages were able to receive desks, blackboards, classroom materials, school supplies, and sports equipment. All the result of Janelle’s family’s fundraising efforts and the overwhelming generosity of local donors.

In the spring of 2010, Janelle and I will be returning to Nepal. Our intention is to travel to Nepal at our own personal expense, and work with our local contacts to purchase and deliver educational and healthcare supplies. We are currently proceeding with several fundraising projects, and are looking for community support in order to raise the necessary funds to make this project a success. All funds raised will be applied towards the organization’s purpose, as we are working with no overhead or administration expenses.

We have found that a Canadian Dollar in Nepal has tremendous purchasing power, and are therefore seeking financial contributions. A few dollars can supply a child with books and supplies. A few hundred dollars can buy blackboards and desks for a classroom. A thousand dollars can provide clean drinking water for an entire school.

The final member of the board is Murray Pritchard. He is Janelle's father and has also been to Nepal so he knows first hand what it will be like over there. Murray has been a huge help to us while preparing to go to Nepal.

Please consider making a donation, and help us bring hope to the lives of children in Nepal. Cheques payable to Uphill Both Ways Education and Relief fund can be sent to:

Suite 807-400-4th Ave. S.
Lethbridge, AB T1J4E1