Our Vision

A world where geography and distances are not barriers to opportunity and growth.

Our Mission

To transform the lives of high altitude frontier communities to develop them into self-sustaining, resilient and thriving regions.

Our Story

Our story began at an attitude of 17000ft in eastern Ladakh. We had to cross 3 high altitude passes at -20 deg C to reach the Govt. Residential School at Lingshed. 3 days of driving and another 3 days of trek with 25 horses carrying 1500Kg of school furniture for the 100 odd children in the school did not deter us from starting a non-profit that will facilitate quality education to the less privileged children of the remote mountainous terrain in Ladakh.

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Our Team

It has been 10 years since 17000 ft Foundation started working in #Ladakh and subsequently in the Indian Himalayan Region. During the course, #Team17000ft has crossed the highest passes, the narrowest bridges and has been to the remotest of villages of Ladakh and now in Sikkim. The team has braved harsh weather and has stood tough against all odds. All this for the children of IHR and their love for learning! Kudos to the teamwork and the drive to change lives of their fellow beings.

Board Members Team Members

An ex-advertising entrepreneur and an avid trekker, Sahu leads the organization from the front and brings his deep understanding of the Himalayas and the aspirations of its people to strategize, design and deliver the most challenging projects.

Sandeep Sahu

Co-Founder, Director

The Ladakhi arm of 17000ft, Dawa is a successful businessman in Ladakh. He often travels to the remotest regions for his charitable ventures supporting education and healthcare in extremely inaccessible areas. Dawa's amazing resource mobilization skills and his ability to empower and motivate the local populace, is the reason behind 17000ft's credibility.

Dawa Jora

Co-Founder, Director

Fiona focuses on imparting Health Education amongst youth and women, and is actively involved in various NGOs like Sneha, Seeds of Awareness & Akanksha. As an educationist, she is deeply involved in 17000ft's Educational initiatives. As 17000ft's ambassador in Mumbai and Overseas, Fiona actively campaigns in Corporates and Schools to raise awareness and helps in Fundraising.

Dr.Fiona Dias Miranda

Director

With close to 40 years of experience in branding and communication and having led his own branding company successfully, Ajit brings his expertise to strategize on the next 10 years of the Foundation's vision.

Ajit Hoon

Director

Retired as an Executive Director at PepsiCo India, Vivek is an economist and a Public Policy analyst and has headed the National Policy Division at FICCI and was the Advisor to Director, World Bank India. He now brings his vast experience to the social sector.

Vivek Bharti

Director

Founder of a leading private equity firm and a key member of the start-up team at a leading private Bank, he retired in 2010 to focus on not-for-profits in human rights, health and education. An MBA from the Univ. of Chicago and a member of the ICAI, Luis advises the core team on strategy and fund raising and actively promotes the work of 17000ft Foundation.