From the bottom of our hearts to the roof of the world

This is a raiser based on the Isle of Wight but welcome to all donators.. It is intended to raise funds to future proof a single Nepalese village one step at a time. . Initially it would entail constructing a single communal building to provide ongoing shelter for the homeless and in time be used as a school to replace the rubble which was the education system of Nepal. In addition this building would act as a long term food storage unit allowing villagers a coping mechanism against starvation. Therefore a not unrealistic target of £10,000 is suggested to be raised initially.

As many of your readers are aware on 25th of April 2015 a massive earthquake followed by an equally massive aftershock completely decimated the Kathmandu valley and more worryingly at the epicentre the districts of Lamjung and Gorkha. Reports from Nepalese on the ground in these areas suggest that 95 - 100% of the dwellings are damaged to the point of no repair. Casualty and deceased figures are still being counted but number in the many thousands and continue to rise day by day. The monsoon season is seemingly coming early this year with temperatures plummeting and rain falling already. This will be a crucial time, a time when probably many more thousands will die from disease transmitted from person to person by mosquito, dysentery from contaminated water supplies and hypothermia from long term exposure to the elements. This on top of already epidemic existing health issues such as cholera and typhoid. As I edit this, 2nd May 2015 news of another aftershock reaching 5.0 magnitude has hit near to Pokhora.

I was fortunate enough to live visit and teach in these areas prior to this catastrophe and so many of my adopted family has been directly affected by this tragedy and many I still have no news from. My involvement with the Nepali community came about as a result of the Ghurkhas being granted indefinite leave to remain in a country they have bravely fought and died for, for generations. Many chose to settle nearby to their old Church Crookham barracks in the commuter town of Farnborough, a town I lived previously to before relocating to the island. Some comment they are a mercenary force but a force we have entrusted time and time again the safety of our future king. For this we must be grateful and for this we must help our friends in their desperate time of need.

The Nepali are a resilient, resourceful but massively impoverished people whose kindness and humility know no bounds. I have been privileged enough to work and travel across the globe in so many of the poorest developing countries across Asia and Africa but Nepal and its people really do hold a special place in my heart. Prior to the quake the county was not even listed as a developing nation; such was and is the scale poverty there. I was due to fly to Kathmandu on Saturday 2nd May for a joyous occasion of my friend’s wedding, now the family are at Swayambu temple cremating the broken, battered and barely recognisable body of their niece; a beautiful, vibrant girl whose heart knew no wickedness. I fight back the tears as I write this but tears are a luxury the Nepalese cannot afford whilst they busy themselves raising the aid so desperately needed for their fellow country folk. 

Many islanders are probably unaware that many of the famous singers in Nepal and the ex Ghurkhas who have made the UK their home share some affinity with our beautiful island. Numerous groups come to experience beauty and tranquillity and since moving to the Island our house has always been open for them to come and holiday and experience the relaxed pace of life we are fortunate enough upon the Island to have. It will always be open to them as will my heart. 

Immediate donations of money are required to stem the initial haemorrhage of misery and can be donated via the DEC or UNICEF.  Suspicions are abound of the current Nepali government siphoning of aid monies but the people of Nepal have warned them of dire consequences for them should this occur and people should continue to donate. My appeal here is to implore you to act, initially to stabilise the situation but I would like to suggest longer term plan, a plan which your readers can be involved in, informed of and proud of. A project which will concentrate on bringing developmental to a single village whose progress is tracked through time so readers can see directly where their donations are being used, what they are used for and the people who so desperately need this help.

At the moment a number of ex Ghurkhas have travelled to their homelands to carry aid and assess the situation on the ground in these regions. When they return in 6 weeks time we will choose the village we feel could most benefit from such a project and instigate immediately our plan. I will be travelling back to Nepal in September where I will visit the village and hopefully for readers put some flesh on the bones of these,so very needy, people .   If we, as an island, are to embark on such a project any development would need to be future proofed should another natural disaster occur. Initially it would entail constructing a single communal building to provide ongoing shelter for the homeless and in time be used as a school to replace the rubble which was the education system of Nepal. In addition this building would act as a long term food storage unit allowing villagers a coping mechanism against starvation. Therefore a not unrealistic target of £10,000 is suggested to be raised initially. I hope your readers can share our vision and a fund has been set up to donate to the project.

https://assets.gogetfunding.com/project/from-the-bottom-of-our-hearts-to-the-roof-of-the-world

Each reader making a donation should include their name so the villagers will know who helped them. A detailed account of funds will be published and made public to donators so every single penny will be accounted for. A fee of 4% is charged by the funding site which amounts to £400. I will personally cover this expense so all monies donated will 100% benefit the recipients.  I thank you kindly on behalf of the people of Lamjung and Gorkha district, we shall always remain in you debt.