A Shelter Above 5,000 Metres: Nirmal Purja's Project Wins International Recognition

Nepal's High-Altitude Shelter Receives International Recognition

The Nimsdai Foundation's Project Horizon, founded by renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, received a Highly Commended Award in the Community Impact category at the National Charity Today Awards held in Peterborough, United Kingdom, on October 14, 2026. The recognition honors the Lobuche Porter House, built at approximately 5,030 metres in Nepal's Everest region to provide safe accommodation for mountain workers who carry essential supplies for trekkers and climbers.

A Safe Resting Place for Mountain Workers

Located along the Everest Base Camp trekking route, the Porter House was developed to address the lack of suitable accommodation for porters working in extreme mountain conditions. Designed to accommodate up to 100 porters, the facility offers shelter, warmth and resting space. Previously, some porters had to travel approximately 10 kilometres downhill to Pheriche to rest before returning to Lobuche, making the new facility an important improvement to their working conditions.

A Vision Turned Into Reality

The project was developed through cooperation among local workers, engineers, porters, community members, donors and supporting organizations. Construction in the remote Himalayan region required careful planning, local expertise and the transportation of building materials through difficult terrain. After approximately two years of work, the foundation celebrated the opening of the Porter House in June 2026.

Recognition Beyond the Top Prize

Although Project Horizon did not win the main Community Impact Award, it received the Highly Commended distinction for its contribution to mountain communities. The foundation celebrated the achievement as a shared success, thanking everyone involved in the project's development. It emphasized that the greatest accomplishment was creating a facility that would continue supporting the people who make Himalayan expeditions possible.

A Lasting Contribution to the Everest Region

The Porter House is already welcoming mountain workers, offering them a place to rest during demanding journeys. The project also aims to support the local community through shared facilities and long-term community involvement. The international recognition highlights the importance of improving the welfare of porters, whose work remains essential to Nepal's trekking and mountaineering industry.