Elias Sejean has long wanted to hike the mountains of Nepal. The director of international sales for Love and Quiches Desserts in Dubai talks about how a Nepalese orphanage will benefit from his upcoming quest to scale new heights.
You are planning your trip through a group called Gulf for Good. What is that?
The organisation is mixing adventure and fun with doing something good for others. Years ago there was a plan of doing 1 million metres of skiing in the Alps, I think, and spending sponsor money on an orphanage in Lebanon. I'm Lebanese and love skiing. At that time, the project was cancelled. I was still getting their e-mails and there are places in the world I want to visit.
Like where?
Mainly Nepal. I'd like to see this country. I read a lot about the Nepalese, their culture. I also like hiking and the mountains.
You're headed there for a 12-day mountain trek in October. You've hit your primary fundraising target but still need money for equipment. Can you explain how that works?
You need to get at least Dh19,000 (US$5,175) for the trip, either paid out-of-pocket or through fundraising. One-third goes to cover the cost of the trip. Two-thirds goes for an orphanage in Nepal. They built a school and now they're building fields, where they can do plantation, and adding to the orphanage. We'll definitely visit and sometimes help them, maybe with painting or fixing things. There is also some money for registration - Dh2,300 - then the most expensive is the equipment: the right shoes; clothing; sleeping bag; backpack.
How did you get a sponsor to cover most of the cost?
I told the company I work for that I'm going, and they supported me. I did a presentation. It's a challenge to get the money. You have to sell the idea and project. The company will also have their logo on a flag and T-shirts that I'll wear while taking a lot of photos with kids. The company can put them on its newsletter or web page.
How are you training?
Every Gulf for Good adventure has a difficulty level. I'm starting with the most difficult, because it happens that it's in Nepal this year. It's a challenge. I have a schedule every week on how many hours I should walk. I've hiked mountains in Lebanon. I was in Chicago at a big food exhibition - every day I'd walk back 8km to my hotel. I'm now cycling and should start some bodybuilding.
And what's your goal once you reach Nepal?
Some days you will be just hiking for acclimatisation. We're going to reach 5,400 metres. This is base camp. We're not going to the top - you need special training for that. A guy did it before me and said he felt so weird because he had been walking, walking, walking and going up, up, up to reach the bottom of a mountain.
