Whenever I think of Nepal, the majestic Mt. Everest and determined mountain climbers come to mind.  In May 1953, Edmund Hillary became the first climber to reach the summit of Mt. Everest.  However, his partner, a Nepalese Sherpa mountaineer, Tenzing Norgay was instrumental in the success of Hillary’s climb.  Today, Nepalese Sherpa guides continue to play a vital role in successful mountaineering expeditions throughout Nepal.

As many of you know, Sherpas help with transporting heavy equipment and guiding hiking groups through one of the most challenging terrains in the world.  To do their job, Sherpas need to be physically fit and in good health.  However, the majority of Nepalese Sherpas live in remote mountain villages, financially unable to receive medical care and face limited access to health care they need.

Kim International Medical Volunteer Foundation

The Kim International Medical Volunteer Foundation (KIMVF) is a non-profit organization established to provide medical care for Nepalese Sherpas.  The goal of KIMVF is to send doctors, dentists, and other healthcare workers to Nepal to provide much needed medical care for Sherpas and their families who live in mountain villages near the foothills of Mt. Everest.

The Kim Volunteer Foundation will help with the cost of travel, lodging, and food; medical work itself will be volunteer basis.  It is a significant sacrifice to travel to Nepal to be a medical volunteer, leaving family and work for 3-4 weeks.  The KIMVF will help support them and hope to encourage more volunteers to join in the future.  In addition, the Foundation will support to purchase necessary medical equipment (X-ray machine, sterilizer) for various surgical procedures.

I am asking for your generous support on behalf of the foundation.  The KIMVF is a non-profit, IRS 501(c) organization; your donation will be tax deductible.  To make a contribution, please click on the Donate box.  We will recognize your contribution to KIMVF by sharing your company name on our website and in our brochure we mail to our supporters and to local Nepalese.

The Kim Volunteer Foundation thanks you very much for your support!

Dr. Hyun Kim is a Gastroenterologist practicing in San Diego, CA.  She attended University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Biochemistry.  She went to Albany Medical College and trained at Boston University Medical Center in Internal Medicine residency program.  Dr. Kim finished Gastroenterology Fellowship at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston, and was a faculty at Harvard Medical School.  She moved to the University of California, San Diego Medical School and currently is a Professor in Medicine.  She continues to teach at VA Medical Center and has active Gastroenterology private practice in San Diego. Dr. Kim is a world traveler and enjoys all types of outdoor adventures.