Nepalese lepers to climb Mt. Everest

Kathmandu, Aug 9 (ANI): To reduce social stigma and discrimination that leprosy patients in the society, Nepalese lepers are all set to climb Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world.

According to The Rising Nepal, though climbing mountain is always a challenge for everybody, this is the first time lepers have taken up the challenge.

Rehabilitation, Empowerment and Development (READ) Nepal, an organization of leprosy affected people and Helping Assist Nepal Disabled (HAND) are jointly conducting the Mt. Everest Leprosy Empowerment Expedition 2011 to kill the myth that can't do it.

A total of 10 people have been selected through interview for the first round of training. The training will start soon, Xinhua reports.

Hima Dawa, a mountain expert, said that some of them were capable to climb Mt. Qomolangma given their physical condition and confidence level.

After providing mountain climbing training, only five selected candidates would be sent for climbing, said Ravi Thapa.

All candidates are from far flung areas of the nation and they are aged between 16 and 46 years.

According to the daily, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal sent his well wishes for the success of the program.

After providing Mt. Qomolangma climbing training, the team will be taken to Langtang Mountain to first familiarize them with the climate of high mountains. (ANI)