1.- The project begins when you arrive in Langtang...

When we arrived, we realized it was the right place. A landslide caused by the earthquake had buried the entire village under a frozen lake, destroying all its services and institutions, including the school and the medical center. Since then, the valley had been almost entirely isolated. More than half of the population, including children, moved to other areas less affected by the disaster. Only a few houses were left standing, and a small group of inhabitants remained, most of them elderly people with no resources or means to leave their homes.

To provide minimal healthcare assistance in the valley, the community itself had built a small clinic in the village of Mundu, located 20 minutes uphill from the old Langtang at an altitude of 3,550 meters. Reaching it from Kathmandu requires a full day by road and two days on foot through the mountains.

Along the way, in a small village called Godatabella, at 2,800 meters altitude, we met Tshering Pema, the leader of the Langtang community. We had reached the end of the first day of hiking, tired and soaked from the cold rain that fell during the final stretch. After dinner, we sat down with Dindu, the owner of the guest house where we were staying. We told him about our idea to help. Without hesitation, he took us to meet Pema. He led us to what seemed like a warehouse, and there, in the darkness, in a corner among dirty blankets, Pema lifted his head, sat up, and joined us by the fire where we spoke for a few minutes. That was enough for us to realize we had finally found what we were looking for.

The next day, Pema took us to the clinic. We met the doctor, who lives permanently in a two-by-three-meter room with a mattress and a gas stove, and we witnessed his lack of resources and medicines.

From there, all we had to do was tell the story. We conveyed, as best as we could, the needs of an isolated community in Nepal to the people around us in a much more privileged Western world. The response, campaign after campaign, has been spectacular—from the first crowdfunding in 2017 to the third, which we completed this year. Boreal Capital Management has collaborated in each and every one of them.

2.- How do you involve Boreal CM?

This is a project for people, by people—a solidarity effort. It started with a small fundraising initiative to provide resources for a clinic, with the sole purpose of making life a little less harsh for the people of Langtang. We will launch our fourth campaign in 2025 to continue our commitment, and everyone willing to contribute to this cause will be welcome.

3.- How does the project work?

The success of the project lies in direct and selfless help. Every cent raised is allocated directly to supporting the clinic and school in the Langtang Valley. There are no intermediaries. Those of us leading the project personally get involved, bringing the funds to Nepal and directly collaborating with the school and clinic to purchase medicines, school supplies, and medical equipment, and transporting them to their final destination in Langtang. This process allows us to firsthand understand the community’s needs, live among its people, and learn daily how we can better assist them.

4.- What does an initiative like this bring to people working in high finance?

Nepal is not just a journey through space; it is a journey through time and, above all, a learning experience on all levels. Seeing how people who have lost everything can still smile teaches us to put problems into perspective and value what is essential.

In an environment where every day is a struggle, being at 3,550 meters of altitude truly grounds you. The skin of Langtang's people has been sculpted by harsh living conditions and extreme weather. For them, each day is the same as the one before; the future is lived day by day, regardless of what financial markets dictate. This helps us appreciate and reevaluate our personal and professional priorities.

This experience opens our eyes and fills our hearts. It takes us back to basics, to what really matters. In a world so focused on numbers, interest rate hikes or drops, we discover the real value of humanity and empathy. Feeling useful and being part of something so real and altruistic is a privilege. Moreover, when we return, we bring back a renewed perspective and a humility that reflect in our daily lives, even in a financial environment.

5.- Share some memories: the most beautiful and the hardest ones.

Honestly, the hardest part of this entire experience is witnessing the living conditions and daily life in Nepal—not just in the valley. It is a life lesson from the moment you step off the plane.

As for the most beautiful moments, it’s hard to choose. The most rewarding thing is receiving people’s gratitude. When we arrive in the valley and walk through its trails, surrounded by snow-capped peaks of 7,000 meters, with the aid we bring thanks to donations from our friends, we see the tangible impact it has on the valley.

From the last trip, I especially remember an encounter with an elderly man in the valley while we were distributing winter clothing. This man came wearing sandals, pointing to his feet, damaged by the cold and a lifetime of mountain work, and asked me for shoes. After distributing aid at the clinic, I looked for him but couldn’t find him. That night, I went to sleep satisfied for having fulfilled our mission, but with a bittersweet feeling. The next morning, I identified the man in a photo my brother had taken. With the photo in hand, I turned to Pema to help me find him before returning to Kathmandu so I could give him my shoes. Never had a pair of shoes held more value or meaning than when I handed them to him personally.

6.- What are your future plans? Is there a way for people outside Boreal CM’s daily activities to collaborate?

The future plan is simply to keep helping. Our only plan right now is to maintain our commitment to the needs of a community that continues to require support and aid.

As I write these lines, Nepal is being devastated by heavy rains. With them come floods, landslides, and diseases. Daily life for its people remains a constant struggle, facing hardships added to an already tough life.

We remain in permanent contact with Pema and the school manager, who keep us updated on their needs. Our next fundraising campaign will take place at the end of 2025, with plans to return to the valley in the spring of 2026. For this new campaign, we will create an information page about the project and open a donation line for those who wish to contribute to this cause.

You can watch a video of Rafa's jorney HERE.