The American Himalayan Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the people and ecology of the Himalaya. In these remote regions people often live without basic health care and education. Economic pressures have forced environmental degradation.                 

The American Himalayan Foundation was founded in 1981 by a small group of climbers who were drawn to Nepal for the mountains, but returned again and again for the people. They wanted to respond to the pressing problems of this magnificent but very poor country, where many still struggle without healthcare or education, thousands of young girls live in danger of being trafficked, and traditional ways of life are fast disappearing. AHF exists to bring positive, tangible change to people’s lives.

Their commitment:

• Education.  They build schools and much more (building is the easy part).  They train and fund teachers; supply the tools for learning: books, blankets, even volleyballs!; build and furnish school hostels - whatever is needed to make sure kids can actually get an education.
• Health care. They support hospitals and clinics, train doctors and medical assistants, and make sure that poor disabled kids get the surgery they need.
• Cultural preservation.  They help Tibetans keep their culture alive – basic survival first: schools, health care, clean water and care for elders.  For the future: the Tibetan Enterprise Fund.  In Mustang, our restoration of ancient monasteries brings a new light to lost Tibetan art.
• STOP Girl Trafficking. They are passionate about saving girls from being sold.
• And let's not forget the tigers. 

Their approach:

• They know the territory and where to intervene to create the greatest impact for the least cost.
• They make bets on people and back them – they know what their communities need – and everything we do involves local commitment.
• They take the long view on creating change, and we're strategic about designing solutions for the present and the future.
• They are fast and flexible: they can respond quickly in situations where that is appropriate.