Suraj and family, COVID and flood relieve

Hello! I may have met you while you were travelling or staying in my beautiful country Nepal, if this is the case, or even if it isn’t, I wish you Namaste and hope you are well and coping well in this strange time of Covid19.

My name is Suraj and I am from a mountain village way up near the top of Nepal, near the Nepal/Tibet border. I have worked with tourists over the years so many of you will have met me while I helped carry your bags up a mountain, cooked your food after a day of trekking, or guided you through many of the beautiful mountains in my country. You may also have met me while I was working in Chautari, my little oasis farm homestay in Pokhara, or in Backpackers Hostel in Lakeside. I was the smile when you arrived, the voice who asked how your day was, your brother and friend if you needed any help while you were on your travels. I loved my job very much, meeting and helping travellers to enjoy my country made me feel very proud and happy!!

Sadly, things didn't work out at Chautari, rent was very high and I struggled to pay the bills. My family relies on me to help them with living costs so when I can I send my money to them in the village. They have a very hard life, especially when it gets cold or when the rains come and the roads and fields are washed away. Things in Pokhara became hard so I moved to Kathmandu to find work so I could help my family. Then Covid19 hit Nepal and everything became even harder. I am a proud man and want to stay positive for the future, but I have to admit I am struggling. It is hard to see when tourism will be normal again here. Living life is getting harder and without work it is even harder. I'm stuck in Kathmandu since we are in lockdown and far from home and family. During the heavy rain the fields in our village which we use to grow our food were washed away and so now we have a problem.

For sure I don't want to give up. I have a dream to work on my own little business. I want to open my own shop, then I can work and also help my parents. I want to rise again, I want to see you all again, I want to work again. Right now I'm mostly stuck and looking for your help. All of your support will bring me success. 

I know a lot of people are suffering at this time, and it was very hard for me to write this, but If you are in a position to help me just with a small bit of money, my family and I will be so grateful. It will go towards my family and my business.

Times have not been easy but I am still standing and smiling and full of hope. Please help me with a little donation, or if you can, share my message so maybe another person can.

I wish you love and good health and a big “Namaste”.

Your friend, Suraj Tamang.

ps You can reach me directly by email: [email redacted], and Floris Brouwer from the Netherlands is handling this campaign for me, email: [email redacted].