I’m creating this fundraiser for my friend Laxmi Magar, a remarkable community leader in Nepal who I have trusted and admired since we bikepacked together in 2019 in Nepal.

Over the years, we’ve kept in touch, and I’ve been in awe of how far she’s come.

Laxmi is not only an 11-time national mountain bike champion, but also someone who has always shown up for others, especially women and her local community. In 2020, Laxmi founded the Nepal Cycling School to help local Nepalis access coaching and build an athlete development program led by Nepalis, because they believed the next generation should be even stronger and better supported.

Now, after devastating floods swept away Laxmi’s village of Betrawati, that same spirit of service is being tested in the most heartbreaking way. Many people were killed, survivors are living with fear, and there are no homes left to return to.

When I learned of the floods in Nepal, I sent her a message. Her response was heartbreaking:

“Hello dearest Jen, my village Betrawri, Nuwakot is swept away. I took some relief to them yesterday with the help of an NGO. Assumptions are that 400 people were swept away with their houses.

The first phase search and rescue by the government is almost done. Now second phase of distribution of relief materials has started.

I took one truck of 200 packs of food, 10 sacks of rice, plastic tents, basic plastic mats, soap, and toothbrushes.

Now I have seen there are a lot of things to do. Electricity is cut off so they cannot convert paddy into rice. So I need to drop more rice at the village.

I am completely heartbroken Jen. I will figure it out. Now I can feel the pain of all humans. I need some time to overcome from lots of sorrow and pain.”

I asked if I could help, and she said, “Yes, I am open only for you.”

Laxmi doesn’t share her feelings with others that often, and it was a lot for her to ask for help. So if she can ask, I can ask too.

Even in the middle of this disaster, Laxmi has already found an emergency route back to the village and carried food for 45 families. I want to help Laxmi reach many more people, and that's where you come in.

Funds from this fundraiser will be wired directly to Laxmi so they can be used right away for urgent relief, including food and solar banks for charging phones.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by tragedy after tragedy, but this is a real way to make a real difference. Please join me in supporting this incredible person as they help Betrawati through an unimaginably difficult time.

Every donation, share, and message of support will help bring relief and hope to people who need it now.

Stay up to date with Laxmi’s efforts via Instagram here.