I think it's been a long time since you've received an actual email update
from me. In this strange age of communication most of my updates are through
my blog <http://bradsander.blogspot.
webpage<http://
this message because I have a request for your
help. Let me give you some background.
- Leonardo da Vinci said:
"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your
eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long
to return."
What I mean is I haven't found anything more interesting or engaging to do
with my life than fly! I've been paragliding for 8 years now and I am
continually blown away but what is possible. Whatever my expectations were
when I started I can say they were naive and insignificant compared to the
reality of my experiences as I've progressed... How to explain what it's
like to cross the greatest mountain ranges in the world with the simplest of
aircraft? mmm difficult, but I do occasionally try. Whenever I tell stories
of flying they are inextricably linked to the experiences I have with people
in the places I travel through. The hospitality, the warmth and the interest
shown is touching. I continually want to do something more meaningful to
show my appreciation for the peoples I've met.
Currently I'm in Sikkim India. It's a small state between Nepal and Bhutan.
For 3 years every spring I've been flying long distances from west to east
across the Himalayas. This year on March 1rst I started from Pokhara Nepal
with my friend Eric Reed. We were attempting to complete the epic trip from
last year that lasted 48 days and covered almost 1200km but fell short of
our goal to reach Sikkim. The flying conditions were difficult and dangerous
in mid April 2010 and so we had to quit. This year weather conditions were
more favorable and though it wasn't easy we crossed into Sikkim on the 14th
of March. I can't go into all the details of our arrest as our court case is
pending. We have all reason to believe we were in compliance with the law
and were not being reckless or naive. I expect it to be cleared up soon and
it's actually not what I'm writing about but just to give you background of
where I am.
For years I've wanted to do more than just pass through, I'd like to get
involved a give a bit back to the communities who I've gotten to know. Over
the years my interest in vulture conservation efforts have made good
progress in Nepal and specifically in Pokhara where I've spent a lot of
time, but that isn't what this is about. It's about Africa and something
called the Cloudbase Foundation. I've been invited for a paragliding
festival in Ghana during the 22nd-25th of April. There I will donate my time
providing tandem flights for domestic and international tourists. The
festival has successfully run for 6 years and I'm excited to be a part as
well as combining it with a family trip to meet with my sister who works in
Cameroon and my father who's coming from Denver.
The pilots involved with the Ghana festival have been thinking along the
same lines as me but have actually done something productive. They have
partnered with the Cloudbase Foundation, which aims to help children around
the world. It is an American based not for profit, registered as a 501(c)3.
The Cloudbase Foundation was started by a group of hang glider and
paraglider pilots, who want to help disadvantaged children. The Foundation
gathers money; and then any hang-gliding or paragliding pilot, from any
county, can apply for a grant to develop some kind of project that helps
children. Please check out the Cloudbase Foundation website for more
information about the projects they have developed and helped to support:
http://thecloudbasefoundation.
So you can help me by donating to the foundation. I see this as just a
start, if I can generate some funds for this years project in Ghana then in
the future I can apply for grants for projects here in the Himalayas and
Pakistan. Either donate online via paypal or by check. click here to go to
the link http://thecbf.net/Donate.asp
Make checks or money orders payable to: "The Cloudbase Foundation" and mail
to:
The Cloudbase Foundation
4066 Willow Lane
Madisonville, LA 70447
All donations can be tracked and since it's an established 501(c)3 it's a
tax deductible donation for Americans.
But label your online or check donations for me, using the following tag
"Ghana - Brad Sander" and if possible send me an email with the amount
and time you donated.
So even if it's just $5 I appreciate your time to help out! And don't worry
about me, this time being arrested in India isn't what you would expect.
Thanks for your interest and time,
Brad
