The Himalayas
We bring sunglasses to the roof of the world
Among the planet’s highest summits people do not have access to eye protection or treatment. Locals have difficulties working on the fields, causing problems for their subsistence economy.
Consequently, communities are forced to settle in lower valleys and cities leaving distinct traditions, ways of life and homes behind.
SHADES OF LOVE contributes to the preservation of health, culture and education in the Himalayas.
To reach affected communities we use motorcycles to be able to access some of the world’s most secluded villages, passing great plains, spectacular peaks and majestic mountain passes.
We also conduct eye surgeries in clinical mobile eye camps to not only prevent but also treat cataracts, allowing patients to be able to see again.
34°00'54.4"N 77°41'04.8"E
India
Ladakh is a remote region of the Indian province Jammu and Kashmir. It borders China, Pakistan and Tibet. Due to its cultural similarities, it is also often referred to as “Little Tibet”. Here we work in friendly collaboration with Buddhist monasteries and local officials.
We have been active in Ladakh for 15 years.
Together with a non-profit organisation of the Dalai Lama, The Tibetan Health Care Center, we conduct annual eye operation camps in the valleys of Ladakh to cure people with ocular diseases and to make them see again.
The non-profit organisation Ladakh Organic Farmers Foundation (LOFF) helps us with importing, storing and distributing the sunglasses.
28°26'27.8"N 83°57'19.5"E
Nepal
Nepal is home to the world’s highest mountains and home to people living in extreme high-altitude regions. One of these regions is the Mustang Valley in North-West Nepal.
The ancient kingdom of Lo is related by religion, culture and history to Tibet. As Tibetan culture is in danger of extinction, the Mustang culture of Lo perseveres as one of the last Tibetan cultures. Until 1991 no outsiders were allowed to enter Mustang.
"A kingdom, lost to the world – remote, untouched, forbidden even"
Besides providing eye protection in Mustang, we also collaborate with the Tilganga Institute to set up the Nepal-Eye-Program and offer free eye operations to those in need.
36°46'04"N 74°89'46.4"E
Pakistan
Since 2023 Shades Of Love has been distributing sunglasses in beautiful Northern Pakistan surrounded by K2, Masherbrum, Broad Peak and the Passu Cones.
In Gilgit-Baltistan the Hindukush, Karakoram and Himalayas meet eachother. Nestled between China, Afghanistan and India the region is home to several languages, ethnicities and religions making it one of the most interesting areas in the world.
We partner with a private hospital in Skardu which provides free eye surgeries in need.
39°15'09.6"N 72°13'31.4"E
Kyrgystan, Afghanistan & Tajikistan
We are working with the Kyrgysz government to help the people living in the Pamir mountains.
The Pamir mountain range is a Northern extension of the Karakoram mountains and part of the Himalayan belt.
There, different small minorities live in beautiful nature and uphold ancient traditions.
Our work in Afghanistan and Tajikistan is currently on hold.
27°58'34.2"N 89°48'20.9"E
Bhutan
In the most ecological country in the world we are collaborating with travel agencies, which offer their eco-tourists to help with our distribution.
Here we mainly work in the Gasa Dzongkhag district in the North West close to the Tibetan border. Bhutan’s North Western region is home to some of the highest unexplored mountains in the world.