With the first big rainfall the need for shelter from the elements increased exponentially. Those who had made do in the dry hot weather suddenly found themselves out in the rain and at the mercy of the elements.
It was at this point, and only at this point that I received a call from community members from the village I grew up in in Syangja District, in the mid west of Nepal asking for help, not only for themselves, but for neighbouring communities as well.
Although not a badly affected area by comparison to Rasuwa, Sindapulchowk, Dolakha and even Kathmandu, there was enough damage to render people homeless and others too afraid to sleep in their houses due to damage.
Having invested my time to help others, I couldn’t ignore the pleas of help from the people I grew up amongst, and thus my brother Saroj jumped on a bus back home to work with the senior community members, teachers and local police to conduct a needs assessment in the different villages. Based on their findings, I was able to send the necessary number or tarps for distribution.
Saroj with the community members of Waling-9 and their new tarps
To date 200 tarps have been distributed in 12 different Wards: Waling Municipality Wards 9 – 11 and Kalikakot Village Development Committee Wards 1 – 9.
Happy with his new tarp and the shelter it gives him
With the onset of the monsoon, still more are needed, as the heavy rains are causing deterioration in damaged buildings, and so a further 75 will be dispatched tomorrow for those in need.
Rain increases the need for tarps for protection