I started my climbing journey with Asha in 2021, when I trained to summit Mount Baker. My journey with Asha brought many beautiful memories, helped me find great like minded friends, and educated me about mountains, all the while creating a wonderful way for me to help various Asha’s educational projects in India. I thought Mt. Baker would be a wrap to my climbing. But, mountains have a magic grip over you, they mesmerize you by their sheer beauty, calmness and magnanimity. Though they disconnect you from the real world temporarily, they reconnect you strongly with much more clarity and readiness. When the Mountains are calling, I must go.
This year, I am back to Asha’s program training to climb Mount Rainier in June along with Glacier Peak. Also, as a way to pay back to all the help and guidance I gained from many wonderful Asha volunteers, I signed up as a volunteer to the Asha Climbing program, where I can help and lead new climbers achieve their mountaineering goals as well. There is no better motivation to summit these mountains if I can make an impact with my passion for mountains and for kids by raising funds for education for underprivileged kids in India.
I have volunteered to raise $1500. I am asking you to join me in this effort. Any amount – no matter how small – can help to provide a bright future for someone in need. Please visit Asha For Education to learn about some of the work that Asha volunteers do and also encourage you to look at some of the Projects List taken by the Seattle Chapter.
All donations are tax-deductible (Tax Id 770 45 9884), and the organization is registered with many corporate employers for donation matching programs. With your donation, please add the following comment – “Team Asha Climber 2022 – Gayathri Devalapalle”. You can double the impact of your donation by getting it matched from your company. Please check with your company and let us know. Thank you so much for your support!
Finally, I would like to clarify that the funds being raised here are not financing my climbs in any way. I have provided the finances for the gear and guide services for those myself. All the funds raised will be exclusively used for Asha for Education projects.
Why Asha for Education
Asha is a “minimal overhead” organization, driven by volunteers (including the administrative expenses) ensuring that more than 95% of your donations are sent to our partner groups in India. Asha for Education has consistently secured a 100% rating on Charity Navigator, a well-established database that evaluates non-profit organizations on the basis of transparency, accountability, and financial parameters.