At Komodo we have always been proud of our factories and the good people who work in them but now we have a story to share with you which really goes the extra mile. Our Kathmandu garment maker, the team leader Shashank Agrawal, is about to set off on probably the most gruelling of physical challenges - The Everest Marathon !

High, steep and incredibly tough terrain ensue. Starting out from Base Camp at 17,600 ft. / 5,300 meters and over 4 huge Himalayan foothills the full marathon route takes you to the charming Namche Bazar for a rather well deserved cup o’chai !

A week ago I read an incredibly disturbing report, tipped off by a tourist , local police raided an unauthorised “Orphange “ in Kathmandu valley. They found 122 very young and distressed children in appalling conditions. They have been trafficked from remote villages and used and abused for profit . They are in a transit house for now but need our help.

For many years we have supported the Sunrise Children’s home just outside of Kathmandu, founded by my friend, the inspirational Emma Taylor. By chance I just happened to be visiting the children there only yesterday as I usually do on my trips to Nepal. The boys we sponsor are full of beans and it’s great to see them growing up with friends and doing well at the local village school, also developed thru the charity, that you can look up at http://www.scai.org.au

Not surprisingly , Sunrise have offered to take in at least 15 of these children and give them the warm supportive home and the second chance that they need and deserve. The local authority, knowing Sunrise’s reputation have already approved and plans are now afoot. Most of the others will also need a lot of help to find and reunite with their families and I feel we need to do all we can to support these children .

I visited our factory with my lovely partner , Twanna of Yogamatters.com last week with this devastating situation very much on my mind, and over lunch discussed this situation with Shashank. He immediately wanted to dedicate his awesome challenge towards helping these children.

So , I figure it’s now up to us to also show we care and put a little energy into providing a decent new start for these children . As we all know , it takes a village to raise a child! Please do take the time to sponsor Shashank on his marathon effort, and read his story below. The price of a nice Komodo T-shirt can support a child in school for a month. Slow fashion is sustainable style !

Thankyou , good people from my village - we are better together !

Joe Komodo x

HERE IS SHASHANKS STORY:

A few months ago, I set myself the challenge of attempting one of the Hardest Marathons on the planet, and in less than a week, I will be running the Everest Marathon.

Why am I doing this?

Firstly, to genuinely challenge myself, both physically and mentally , like I never have done before. Hopefully, this journey will also inspire more people to be active and believe in themselves. Secondly, to help with the devastating situation these children have been put in and support the wonderful staff at the Sunrise Childrens Association.

I am trying to raise money with the help of my friends at KOMODO If any of this resonates with you, please support me on this journey & help me raise resources for these much deserved children !

Please give what you can, and share with your friends and lets give these children the future they deserve!

Thankyou so much! x