In the years since Jay Tamang, a longtime employee at Whole Foods Market on East Blithedale, left his native Nepal in 2004, his thoughts have rarely strayed from his home country.
Tamang, who spent years there earning $2/day as a trekking guide in Katmandu before eventually moving to the United States with his wife Biba and their children, has maintained strong ties in Nepal, regularly visiting and donating his time and money to lift his former friends, family and neighbors. That was never more true than in April 2015 in the aftermath of the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Nepal, which sent Tamang and his family reeling.
But while those deep ties remain, including his work for Nepal FREED (Foundation for Rural Educational & Economic Development), the organization he founded in 2009 to raise money to build schools in the remote villages of Nepal, Tamang stays busy, as you can likely guess from the above.
Tamang’s been an avid photographer for years, and he is set to showcase his incredible photography work at the Mill Valley Community Center (180 Camino Alto) from June 4 – July 4. The exhibition is titled “Natural Phenomena.’
There will be an opening reception on June 4 from 5:30-7:30.
The Community Center is open to the public Monday-Friday 8:30am – 5pm. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of photographs will be donated to children’s education in Nepal.
BIO: Jay Tamang, a Nepali-born social worker, and photographer, has dedicated his time and passion to nature photography to bring about environmental awareness and appreciation for the beauty around us. Growing up in Nepal, Jay was surrounded by majestic mountains, waterfalls, and radiant light that brought life to every moment.
The incredible power of nature had such a profound impact on Jay that it ignited a deep desire to care for the place that made him feel alive. While photography is his primary passion, Jay has also utilized his social skills to guide children in attaining education. He has helped children in remote villages of Nepal by building school institutions and providing educational supplies, ensuring that these children have the opportunity to succeed.
Through perseverance and hard work, Jay has raised enough funds to build three schools: an elementary school with 58 children, a high school with 250 students, and a college with 106 students. These schools have become beacons of hope for a better future for the children Jay had to leave behind but will never forget. Reflecting on his days as a mountain guide, Jay reminisces and expresses his desire to share the amazing glory of creation among the world’s highest peaks with others.
Jay has learned that through art and a love for nature, what truly matters is what one visualizes through their eyes, how they progress and enhance their talents, and most importantly, what lies within their passion. His dedication to both photography and social work exemplifies his commitment to making a positive impact on the world and inspiring others to appreciate and protect the beauty of nature.