The Chuñavi Fund, how we got here
In May of 2002 mountain guides Paul Cormier and Eric Siefer traveled to Bolivia to research and design mountain climbing trips for clients. What they discovered was an abundance of accessible and beautiful peaks towering over 17,000 feet. The mountains of the Cordillera Real and Cordillera Occidental of Bolivia are popular for alpinist the world over, providing climbers a variety of objectives, from challenging high-altitude treks to technical alpine rock and ice climbs. This first trip to Bolivia would ultimately change the way Paul lead future mountaineering expeditions in South America.
The following year, Paul ran his first commercial expedition to Bolivia. During this trip Dr. Brian Irwin and Fabienne Pattison, an emergency room Registered Nurse, organized a makeshift medical clinic in the town of Chuñavi. The two-day medical outreach treated over 200 people, most of whom had never seen a doctor before. It wasn’t surprising when a majority of the porters, muleteers, and cooks hired for the expedition showed up for needed treatment.
All the clients on Paul’s team participated in the medical outreach. And for most of them it was the highlight of the entire trip, even more so than the climbing. Contributing back to the local community added a deeper sense of satisfaction than merely climbing to the summit of a mountain. This inspired Paul to go beyond climbing.
So in 2004 Paul returned to Bolivia and the Chuñavi region with his life-long friend and climbing partner Mike Pelchat. Mike is the Director of Mt. Washington State Park in New Hampshire. The two of them were invited to meet with the town heads in Chuñavi to discuss building a permanent medical clinic there. The clinic would service the local population but also service the climbing community as well.
After returning to the States, Paul set out to design and raise funds for a medical clinic. The task was daunting especially because Paul was juggling his business while guiding and leading mountaineering trips. Blueprints for the clinic were drawn up but fundraising proved difficult, as money wasn’t coming in.
In 2007 Paul led another expedition to Bolivia and the Chuñavi region. Although there were no doctors on the team, Paul and the clients spent time distributing school supplies, books, and clothing. Once again the interaction and giving was a success with the clients on the team. Paul was on to something.
Mano a Mano was introduced to the project in 2008 and agreed to create a dedicated account for money raised in the name of the Chuñavi clinic. The partnership with Mano a Mano also provides Paul with the backing of an organization that can build the clinic while providing the necessary resources and experience to manage the construction. Mano a Mano has built over 108 clinics in Bolivia with 99 of those clinics achieving financial independence.
In 2008 Paul started sending annual shipments of new and slightly used climbing gear to Mano a Mano to be distributed to fire departments and rescue teams in Bolivia. Each year these donations grow as more people become aware of the program.
Paul is once again leading a team to climb in Bolivia this May, but the primary focus for the trip is to raise funds for the Chuñavi medical clinic. One hundred percent of all profits from the trip are going directly to the Chuñavi Fund through Mano a Mano. Paul isn’t making a dime from the trip. This trip will be the biggest medical outreach yet and Mano a Mano representatives will come to the town of Chuñavi to begin the process of building a clinic.
In memory of Carlos Escobar
Bolivian mountain guide Carlos Escobar had racked up quite a resume for himself in the climbing world. Not only had he guided and climbed Everest, he was the go-to-guy for guiding in Bolivia and South America. Carlos was highly regarded and very much loved in the mountaineering community. Commercial guide outfits from around the world utilized his services to help guide major expeditions from the Andean Mountains to the Himalayas. His accomplishments, experience, and personality made him the perfect guide.
Paul Cormier had worked with Carlos on many of his expeditions to Bolivia. And when Paul and his 2003 team decided to do a medical outreach clinic, it was Carlos who was instrumental in choosing the village of Chuñavi.
Numerous climbing teams pass through this village on their way in to the mountains but they usually never stop. Because of Carlos, Paul’s team was able to conduct the first and very successful medical outreach clinic there. Local villagers now realize that these foreign climbers actually do care about them — and not just their mountains.
In November of 2008 Carlos was diagnosed with cancer and on May 8th, 2009 he passed away. The Chuñavi Fund celebrates the life Carlos Escobar and would like to credit this clinic in his legacy.