Financial Aid Thulo Syabru, Rasuwa
Summary:
7 trekkers who took refuge for 5 days in a popular village within the Langtang National Park, Nepal, are fundraising money to donate directly to the villagers to help them reconstruct their village, which was completly destroyed by the earthquake on April 25th, 2015.
Our story
When the earthquake struck around noon, some of us were in tea houses in Thulo Syabru, whereas others were hiking in the surrounding area.
It took us several seconds to realize that the rumbling was neither wind nor a thunderstorm, but grew stronger and stronger, shaking all the buildings. Being thrown left and right against chairs and tables, we stumbled out of the already collapsing house, walls crashing down around us.
Luckily, everyone made it out of the two teahouses unhurt. For the next few hours we waited outside together with the local family, jumping up at any sign of small tremors or large aftershocks, even fearing the ridge we were standing on might start to slide down the mountainside.
When the biggest tremors were over and the time between aftershocks grew longer, trekkers from all directions started to gather in Thulo Syabru, a relatively large village.
More than 25 trekkers took refuge in the popular trekking village of Thulo Syabru in the Langtang National Park , Nepal. While awaiting rescue, local families openheartedly provided us shelter (refugee tents) and food until we were able to leave the region.
Thulo Syabru was devastated by the earthquake. Virtually all structures in this relatively large village of approximately 100-150 houses, were either completely destroyed or structurally compromised, forcing the residents to completely start over. 
Until the buildings are repaired or rebuilt, the villagers will have to live in these simple tents out on their terrace fields. With monsoon season around the corner, it is imperative that they begin to work towards a more sustainable solution.
Although many organizations have been providing timely emergency relief to those living in close proximity to the Kathmandu valley, rural areas , many of which were hit the hardest, have not received sufficient aid.
Moreover, even after emergency crews arrive to deliver supplies and basic necessities, a longer term strategy will need to be considered, given that their homes, businesses, and livelihoods have been destroyed. Tourism, of which many depend on for their earnings, will not be returning for awhile. Important decisions will have to be made regarding the future of the community.
This campaign, led by 7 trekkers (see names and nationalities below), is designed to provide one time financial assistance directly to the villagers, providing them the means to substantially improve their lives as they see fit. It is our hope that when deciding on their future, this money will provide them more options, many of which wouldn't otherwise be there.
Who will get the money?
While waiting to be rescued by helicopter, we held multiple meetings with villagers discussing how best we could support them after we return home. The overwhelming majority agreed that direct financial assistance would be the preferable solution.
To ensure the plan would be effective, fair, and transparent, we had them create a diverse 5 member committee comprised of previously existing leaders from the village, who are given the task of overseeing the money for projects and/or investments.
Further, we had the 5 member committee choose 1 resident (Karma Renjen Lama), who will act as a trusted liaison between us (organizers) and them (villagers), working on the logistics of transferring money from Canada to the village leaders.
What will the money go to?
This will be decided by the 5 member committee following extensive discussions with their community. In principle, we have no objections regarding how the money is spent, granted the decisions are made fairly and democratically.
To hold the committee accountable, we have taken the contact information from as many locals as possible to ensure that virtually everyone is aware of the campaign, how much money has been collected, and the status of the funds.
We are confident that the measures we have taken reasonably address concerns regarding accountability.
Notes:
1) Given that we have decided to donate directly to the villagers as opposed to a registered charitable organization, tax receipts will NOT be available.
2) To assist with relief efforts in Nepal, GoFundMe will be donating its 5% donation fee to AmeriCares . There is still a 2.9% processing fee.
To avoid or minimize transaction fees, there are a few options for Canadians.
a) Offline cash donations - Give money to one of the organizers and they can then directly deposit it to the campaign account and manually add your donation to the website.
b) Email transfer (e-transfer) - For $1.50 you can send money through your online banking platform directly to [email redacted]. To do so, you must have this set up or register for this option with any Canadian bank.
c) Direct bank to bank transfer - If you bank with TD, you can go to the bank and have them transfer the money directly to the campaign account. If you bank with a different Canadian institution, bring cash to a TD branch and have them deposit it to the campaign account. For both options, you must request the campaign bank account from Sam Caldbick.
3) Many people have asked what can be purchased with $50,000. To give you some context, specifically for the village we are fundraising for, here is an approximation of costs in Canadian dollars:
Simple village house = $6,000
Guest House (tourism business) = $20,000
School = $30-40,000 (apparently it only needs repair ($8,000)
Farming tools (per family) = $121
Rice (50kg bag) = $42
4)Updates regarding the collection and distribution of donated funds will be posted on the website periodically.
This campaign is led by the following trekkers, who, while waiting to be rescued, were greatly assisted by the villagers:
Canada: Sam Caldbick, Cody Walter, Dana Engler, Shaun Engler
Germany: Benjamin Fürst, Christina Fürst, Sandra Schröter
