Renowned mountaineer Um Hong-gil has gone beyond climbing mountains. He has built 22 schools in remote areas of Nepal, bringing hope and education to children in the Himalayas.
On a recent episode of a talk show, Um shared how his mission shifted from reaching peaks to helping young lives at the mountain’s base. He is known worldwide as the first person to climb all 16 of the world’s highest peaks. But after that achievement, he found a new calling—education for children in Nepal.
He explained that he kept seeing the faces of children when he looked at the mountains. This vision moved him to start building schools where few dared to go.
Um said his foundation pays all the costs of construction and operation. He has received no funding or aid from Nepal’s government. Many of the school sites are so remote that materials must be delivered by helicopter, raising the expenses even more.
His effort is not just about buildings. Um also shared a personal story that showed his deep care. He once met a young girl who had injured her leg. She was in pain and had not been treated for a long time. Um took her to a hospital, and later, she came to Korea for further care.
Thanks to the treatment, the girl recovered, went back to school, and trained as a nurse. Her journey from injury to healing and purpose is one of the many inspiring outcomes of Um’s work.
He visits Nepal four to five times each year. He says these visits recharge him, especially when he hikes up a 3,000-meter mountain nearby. The joy he feels from seeing the children and their progress keeps him going.
During the talk show, there were also some light-hearted moments. A host mentioned that a hotel in Nepal has a room reserved just for Um. Another joked that he should run for president in Nepal because of his strong influence.
These laughs reflect the respect and admiration many feel for Um Hong-gil in Nepal. His work has not gone unnoticed. He has been awarded honorary citizenship in the country.
Though a hero in the mountains, Um speaks humbly. He said that many people today lack patience and kindness. He encouraged others to take time to walk in nature, maybe even at Balwangsan Mountain in Korea, and feel refreshed.
Um Hong-gil’s journey shows that true success is not only about reaching the top, but also about lifting others along the way. His schools in Nepal are not just buildings—they are paths to brighter futures for children who had little hope.
