One of our Reservations Assistants here at Chamonix All Year, Klaudia, has been volunteering with Zom Connection, an organisation dedicated to sharing skiing and other sports equipment to mountainous villages in Pakistan. We wanted to share her experience volunteering, as well as spread the word.
What is Zom Connection?
Zom Connection is a charity organisation run by ‘Pica’ (Julien Herry), a local Chamoniard. The organisation seeks to gather skiing, climbing & other equipment in Chamonix & its surrounds, to donate & share with those living in mountainous areas of Pakistan who would otherwise not have access to the joys offered by their own backyard, purely because of a lack of equipment.
A Journey about Sharing
With support from companies all around Chamonix, and affiliate Pakistani associations, the organisation has made a film named ‘A Journey about Sharingaring’ about their endeavours:
‘While Pakistan boasts some of the highest mountains in the world, accommodating professional mountaineering expeditions for decades, only few Pakistanis actually snowboard, ski or even climb. With limited access to mountain equipment and infrastructure, the Pakistani riding and climbing culture is in its infancy. Embark on ‘A Journey About Sharing’ and discover how Zom Connection helps the nascent grassroots mountain communities grow stronger.’
You can watch the film ‘A Journey about Sharing’ here.
Klaudia’s input
At the beginning of the year, I saw the film ‘A Journey About Sharing’ during the Soirée Films de Montagne (by the Fête des Guides event). I was touched by the story that Pica presented.
Love for the mountains
This story shows that the mountains are a place from which we get joy, but also a place where we can share our joy of being in the mountains as well as our experience. It is a space from which we take much, but to which we can give much back. Personally I find the mountains to be a source of good energy, motivation, inspiration, joy and strength for everyday ‘ordinary tasks’.
That is why every opportunity to do something for people related to the mountains is a pleasure for me. After I saw the movie, I contacted Pica.
A local organisation
Another factor that pushed me to contact Pica is that it is a local organisation.
Pica is from Chamonix, the people who help him with the project are also from Chamonix. I have been living in Chamonix for almost two years now, and I enjoy the opportunities that Chamonix offers, so the possibility to integrate with the locals and share it’s initiatives is important to me.
Donations
October is the month when all equipment is shipped to Pakistan. Over a few days, we pack the skis, snowboards, rucksacks and other equipment provided by local people and shops and prepare them for shipment. There’s a lot of equipment, so it’s a lot of work.
The fact that equipment that may not be the newest, but is still good to use, and will end up in the hands of people in Pakistan, is very motivating. I am glad that our actions will allow others to enjoy the winter activities and opportunities offered by the mountains. Pakistan has some of the most beautiful mountains in the world. It would be a shame for locals to be excluded from enjoying what is so close by.
Getting the shipments ready
Watch the video Zom Connection has made on getting the shipments ready to be sent over to Pakistan, and how the involvement of volunteers makes a world of difference.
The video includes how volunteers organise and pack the equipment and how this equipment is used in Pakistan – sports gear for skiing, snowboarding, climbing, and everything else volunteers have gathered is included in the donation:
How you can make an impact & get involved:
Want to help the organisation and support the development of mountain sports in Pakistan? You can do any of the following:
♻ Recycle your new or used equipment ➡ What to give
👐 Donate to help finance shipments to Pakistan ➡ GoFundMe Zom Connection
🤝 Become a partner of projects & productions ➡ Contact
✊ Become an ambassador for Zom Connection ➡ Get in touch
Learn more
You can read The Story of Pica (ENG) here – he talks about what originally incited him to begin this organisation, and the journey ever since its birth in 2021.
‘What happens next is just surreal:
local kids and afghani racers are singing together and hugging
each other for a while, a true reward for our team after a long day of work.’
– Pica
You can also see the Zom Connection Highlights from 2021 film that was made at the beginning of the organisation’s conception.
Zom Connection Project
Read the outline of What’s Next for Zom Connection (FR)
If you’re interested in supporting other local charities around Chamonix, check out The Chamonix Welcome Collective. The collective is an organisation focussed on socially integrating refugees and ‘un-accompanied minors’ through sports & cultural activities, and supporting them in settling in the area. Get in touch directly with if you want to know more about how you can support them.
Other local charities you can reach out to & support / donate to include:
- Secours Populaire, a volunteer organisation in Chamonix
- Epicerie Sociale, who collect food donations and essential items for families in need, and
- Restos du Coeur (Restaurants du Coeur), who focus on food packages and donations in the fight against poverty
