The Tenzing Norgay Sherpa Foundation (TNSF) is a non-profit organization registered in the United States to benefit the people of the Himalaya. It was created in memory of our parents Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Daku Tenzing Sherpa to help those in need, especially the Sherpa people.
The foundation supports projects in education, healthcare, cultural preservation, the environment and responds in time so crisis such as the pandemic and the earthquake. It also provides support for families of mountaineering workers who have lost loved ones in the mountains.
Our latest initiative is the Tenzing Norgay – Sherpa Heritage Centre (Heritage Centre) based at the Sagarmatha National Park Headquarters in Namche Bazar, gateway to Everest. This Heritage Centre will celebrate the Sherpa culture, and achievements of Sherpa climbers who followed in the footsteps of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and promote environmental awareness through the traditional conservation practices of waste recycling and forest management undertaken by the Sagarmatha Buffer Zone.
The Heritage Centre is a locally driven project. As new generations of Sherpa children grow up, they will be inspired by stories of past Sherpa leaders and achievers and take pride in their history and unique cultural identity.
Our team is led by Jamling Tenzing, design work by renowned Nepali architect Sarosh Pradhan with, the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Center (SPCC), the local environmental non-profit organization as the implementing partner. Work in the project is well underway and will be completed by May 29, 2023 in time for the 7oth Anniversary celebrations.
Context
Presently the Project already has the Sagarmatha National Park Visitor Centre along with the Tenzing Norgay Memorial established at the site above Namche Bazar. Every year more than 40,000 visitors pass through this area. This Park Centre displays Himalayan flora and fauna and the culture of the Khumbu Sherpas. From the garden the Tenzing Norgay Memorial is landscaped with the panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks of Nuptse, Everest, Ama Dablam and Thamserku. The current site is in need of significant renovation to fully achieve the potential of this sacred space to convey the Heritage and Environment of the Sherpa community.
A grant of £20,000 from the Blueberry Hill Charitable Trust in honour of the 70th Anniversary of the first ascent of Chomolungma (Everest) by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa will benefit the centre as well the Sherpa community.
Proposed Design and Features
Welcome Centre – Relocation of Entrance
Mountain Auditorium – Multipurpose Hall/Interactive Space
Rewa Café / Souvenir shop (Run by families of fallen Sherpas
• In the Sherpa language, Rewa means Hope. Every year, many Sherpa guides are either injured or killed in the course of duty, leaving behind loved ones without an adequate source of income.
• The mission of the Rewa Cafe is to support and financially empower the families of Sherpas who have lost their lives on the mountains.
• The Rewa Cafe will be run by families of fallen Sherpas. Some of the proceeds from the café will go towards education support for children from such families. Our hope is to also renovate the existing cafe.
• The cafe will be a meeting point for Travelers to enjoy warm food and snacks, learn about this societal issue as well as the opportunity to buy locally crafted souvenirs.
