Viti Simmons Home Page

In Tribute of 

Such, '... unseasonal blizzards and avalanches in the Annapurna region...' have taken their toll in the last week with the recent loss of life juxtaposed with why so many are drawn to trekking in Nepal - me included. 

The sheer beauty of the Himalaya's is breathtaking. Whilst trekking one comes to fully understand that such experiences are made possible by Nepali Porters and local enterprises in villages as trekkers pass through to a range of destinations at varying altitudes.

Personal reflections from  the Annapurna Region

The following photos were taken on the Annapurna Circuit when I joined a small group in 2011. This was followed up with another trek in 2012 which I shared with my husband Paul. 

Porters off-loading equipment for our 
Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Commencement of our 11 day trek.
Porters: Left and 2nd on the right.

Campsite setup on 2nd night

On the 3rd day of our trek weather 
conditions had cleared and the Himalaya's 
remained our constant 
companion - majestic!

On the 4th day one of the Porters 
introduced me to the above Nepali 
businesswoman producing 
spirits for sale.

This process took 3 days inside her 
home.We conversed through one of the
 Porters - an unexpected highlight 
on this trek.

My previous experiences in Nepal, people and their culture remind me of my inner most intentions on many levels.

Meeting Kira Kay International President and Co-founder of Hands with Hands (HwH) a small NGO whilst participating in a 10 month Leadership Program in Perth Western Australia. Kira spoke on Grassroots Leadership in a way that resonated and that connection remains.

Undertaking fieldwork on behalf of HwH linked to their Microcredit Projects in Chitwan District rural villages was and ideal 'fit' for my interests and passion. 

I will be sharing this visit with three other women associated with HwH:

Nina Cejinar

I met Nina Cejinar through Kira and we have 
been communicating through technology 
since 2011. We finally get to meet personally
 in Nepal. Nina has recently established 
her own business Golden Deer 
in Germany.

Kira Kay 

Co-Founder of HwH and 
International President
Kira operates her own business based 
in Germany and returns to
Nepal twice a year.

Erin Pope 

I met Erin Pope through the John Curtin Leadership Program Feb - May 2014. Erin was involved with the HwH Community Project I put forward. 

She has since been travelling including, "...undertaking a permaculture design course on a small organic rice farm in south Eastern Thailand near the boarder of Cambodia. It will take 2 weeks, but afterwards I will hold an international standing certification permitting me to consult and design permaculture systems. "

Currently, Erin is in Nepal involved with a community project called Upside and will, "...mainly be based in Pokhara, also spending a week up in the mustang region to get feedback on the apple plantation project and boarding school." 

Erin's recent email indicates that the above recent loss of life in the Pokhara Region was close at hand so, " We drove up by jeep and are waiting to see if we can use it to get people to the hospital in Pokhara."

We look forward to seeing Erin in Kathmandu.