Nepal: Thapa Family House Rebuild
Donation protected
Though Nepalese people as a whole embody what it means to be truly resilient, the recent disaster has left devastation that is difficult even to imagine. I personally know families who have lost their homes, their livelihoods and almost everything else.
On April 25th Nepal was hit with an earthquake of about 8.0 magnitude, leaving behind a wake of destruction and tremendous loss of human life. A series of aftershocks continued to rattle the nation in following weeks, with another quake of almost equal magnitude on May 12th. At this point more than 8,000 people are known dead, and over 19,000 were injured. Entire villages and neighborhoods were reduced to rubble. A chaotic atmosphere of coordinating aid, finding shelter, food and water persists. While a significant amount of aid has been sent to Nepal through INGOs and nationalized aid, much of it has yet to get into the hands of those who need it most or in ways that will truly assist them in the more long term efforts of rebuilding their homes and lives.
As some of you may know, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to study abroad in Nepal in 2010. I still consider it to be one of the richest experiences of my life. The hospitality and good nature of those I lived with and interacted with were unparalleled. It was not uncommon to be invited into families' homes for feasts by people who wouldn't accept no for an answer, despite the fact that they went to great lengths just to put food on the table each day. I often reflect on the experiences of those I met in Nepal as a source of inspiration for resilience and generosity. Recognizing how privileged I am and we are fuels my desire to offer help.
I spent a great deal of my time in Nepal with the Thapa family during a four-month homestay in Kathmandu. The family treated me as one of their own. They were patient as I learned the language and more, guided me, showed me the world through their eyes, and fed me. I am still close with my host brother who is about my age. Unfortunately the Thapa family is one of the thousands that have completely lost their home in the quake. Thankfully none of them were hurt, but their home was destroyed. There is a tremendous amount of pressure now that they are homeless to find and build even temporary shelter while they work on rebuilding their home in the longer term. The clock is ticking, as monsoon season is fast approaching (it rains torrentially June through August). They are currently sleeping in tents in a wet field below their house.
If you are reading this, then I am hoping that this will serve as a call to action to directly support people that I know well. Rather than going to a large organization, where it's hard to tell how effectively and efficiently the money is sent, this money will go directly to a hard working extended family. You may not feel like you are in much of a position to provide monetary support, but in a nation where many earn only about 1 USD a day, any amount you can contribute will have an impact. Funds raised will go towards construction costs for the Thapa family's new home, or immediate and pressing expenses they are faced with. I have sent money to them through Western Union successfully already, and can ensure that your contributions will end up in their hands. Any funds raised beyond the initial goal will be distributed in the surrounding community, where I also have connections and can communicate with them directly. Thanks!
On April 25th Nepal was hit with an earthquake of about 8.0 magnitude, leaving behind a wake of destruction and tremendous loss of human life. A series of aftershocks continued to rattle the nation in following weeks, with another quake of almost equal magnitude on May 12th. At this point more than 8,000 people are known dead, and over 19,000 were injured. Entire villages and neighborhoods were reduced to rubble. A chaotic atmosphere of coordinating aid, finding shelter, food and water persists. While a significant amount of aid has been sent to Nepal through INGOs and nationalized aid, much of it has yet to get into the hands of those who need it most or in ways that will truly assist them in the more long term efforts of rebuilding their homes and lives.
As some of you may know, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to study abroad in Nepal in 2010. I still consider it to be one of the richest experiences of my life. The hospitality and good nature of those I lived with and interacted with were unparalleled. It was not uncommon to be invited into families' homes for feasts by people who wouldn't accept no for an answer, despite the fact that they went to great lengths just to put food on the table each day. I often reflect on the experiences of those I met in Nepal as a source of inspiration for resilience and generosity. Recognizing how privileged I am and we are fuels my desire to offer help.
I spent a great deal of my time in Nepal with the Thapa family during a four-month homestay in Kathmandu. The family treated me as one of their own. They were patient as I learned the language and more, guided me, showed me the world through their eyes, and fed me. I am still close with my host brother who is about my age. Unfortunately the Thapa family is one of the thousands that have completely lost their home in the quake. Thankfully none of them were hurt, but their home was destroyed. There is a tremendous amount of pressure now that they are homeless to find and build even temporary shelter while they work on rebuilding their home in the longer term. The clock is ticking, as monsoon season is fast approaching (it rains torrentially June through August). They are currently sleeping in tents in a wet field below their house.
If you are reading this, then I am hoping that this will serve as a call to action to directly support people that I know well. Rather than going to a large organization, where it's hard to tell how effectively and efficiently the money is sent, this money will go directly to a hard working extended family. You may not feel like you are in much of a position to provide monetary support, but in a nation where many earn only about 1 USD a day, any amount you can contribute will have an impact. Funds raised will go towards construction costs for the Thapa family's new home, or immediate and pressing expenses they are faced with. I have sent money to them through Western Union successfully already, and can ensure that your contributions will end up in their hands. Any funds raised beyond the initial goal will be distributed in the surrounding community, where I also have connections and can communicate with them directly. Thanks!
Organizer
Alejandro Dorroshinsky
Organizer
Seattle, WA