Compassion in Action ! Thank you All Volunteers & Donors for your kindness!

Dear Friends, Namaste


 The people of Ichok and many other villages would like to thank you for your kindness. I personally thank you all for your unconditional support towards the people whose lives have been changed forever due to this earthquake. I am proud of my sister, cousins, friends and all the volunteers who worked tirelessly day & night, hungry and without sleep. "As we were transporting goods, debris & rocks were falling due to constant tremors at one point we ran off the vehicles for safety," said Purnima, the organizer. It was overwhelming, people came to help distribute from all over. Truly amazing to see people coming together and managing collectively. This help is just to manage to lift their spirit, main challenges are still ahead as monsoon is approaching there could be many landslides. As per listed villages on the banner, no family is left behind. Each 1100 family received sanitary soaps, 1 kilo lentils, 1 liter vegetable oil, 1 kilo salt, 1 mattress, 1 pack of chilli peppers. In addition to that a monastery has received some bundles of tin roof as it is vital for the culture to have the temple. And some mountain villages higher in elevation have received few solar panels for mobile charges for the community so they can communicate with their loved ones in distance without having to reach the bottom of the hills to get to someone's vehicle to charge their devices (radio, mobile, etc) These essentials are prepared based on villagers request. Jimi Lama a volunteer, said this made their daily life and diet a little spicier as how they lived in the past. People were really happy and appreciative for the help as even Government has not been able to reach these areas because of the rugged and mass catastrophe. We organized really well as we picked the leaders in each community for the volunteers, says Purnima. I am so grateful & happy for everything that we could do for the people of my village. The fund is being collected continuously for further projects such as repairing school, which although Government would take care of it right now, the process is slow. There are 4 schools I know, which are all damaged. I will do what I can based on the funds.

But for now please view these pictures. There are still more photos to come but due to 2nd earthquake many shops & photo labs are closed in the city, as soon as possible, will be published for now please view these pictures. Pictures alone tells us a lot of story.  This is wonderful as it will help in their healing process and rise. It is important for me because I live in a distant land where I only wait for the news to come. Not being close to your loved ones during such calamity, how one would deal with it? How one can feel, useful & find purpose? This is how I am dealing with it like many many other Nepalese. Thank you for making this happen. You truly made a difference in the lives of so many, who have lost everything. We love you all.

Reaching more places!

Dear Friends & good people of the world, initially we expected to help only 2 villages as they are the ones we thought & could assist but now news of help has spread surrounding villages as well and they would need help too. Also due to some generous donors, I with your help am able to raise final total so far 13707.22. and still continuing to grow. We are including 2 more villages (200 more families.) This is huge for me and my heartfelt gratitude to you all.

Nepal South Asian Tai-Chi Gold Medalist Ang Babu Lama

So far our help has been concentrated on basic essentials such as soap, lentils, salt, chilly peppers, mattress, cooking oil for every  family in these villages; Gohore, Ichok, Ghopte Ghyang, Nalung Kharka, Dhunge, Manegeru, Dhapsung, Dakpa Kharka, Nima Dombo, Tartong, Ribarma and more villages are being added. This list is being prepared based on the villagers need and volunteers's suggestion.. Initially we were providing rice but some other Buddhist organization has stepped up to the plate so we changed our tactics to maximize the resources for the people. These items are what actually they need at this time or always. These essentials have been part of the lifestyle in the remote part of Nepal.

This is beyond I have ever imagined, I needed to help or I could. This is all possible due to generous people like you. I will update the blog as things progress. Purnima my sister the organizer of this relief effort has received all of the funds except some still continuing.  There are still funds being received on and off line. Although, my goal has exceeded there is much to be done in these villages. If we have funds left over from this relief package, our goal will be concentrated on repairing of three schools at first the Ichok Primary School, Jyambeyang Primary School and Dhapsung Primary School. These schools get very basic funds from the Government and we would like to help, if we can.

My sister Purnima carrying her baby & organizing 

My first ever School was Ichok Primary School, where I spent 6 years of my childhood walking barefoot everyday up and down the hill. Then my father realized it is too difficult for the other village children so he started a basic school in the village on volunteer basis, later that very school became Jyambeyang Primary School and Government registered with 2 teachers up to 5th grade.

Dhapsung Primary School in 2007

My wife Kim with the villa

After I graduated my 5th grade. Then I moved to lower village of Gohore to go to school further down by the river. My father had made arrangements for me to stay with the family that dad knew. There I stayed with a family for 5 years until I graduated my 10th grade from Shree Saraswoti Secondary High School. I spent 5 years of my life living with a family. At that time, there was no electricity, no bus service, no cellphone, no TV. Our toys were dirt, rocks, sticks. Our play ground  were terraces. 

The family I lived with for 5 yrs. 

All schools have a dress code, which is sky blue shirt, and navy blue pants if you can afford otherwise just shorts. I had pair of shirts and pair of shorts and pants for the whole year. We all walked to school everyday, it would take 1 & half hour to get to school and during monsoon we cross rivers via hanging bridges and it would lengthen our time by 1/2 hour. Some of these hanging bridges had missing wooden pieces so we had to jump and be careful. At times, I have dropped my books in the river as we carried our books in hand most of the time. Very few children would have umbrellas but most would have a polythene bag like a trash bag over our head. Shoes were luxury item so we all used flip flops, until it broke or hole in them. It was simple yet we used our resources fully. We ate basically 3 meals a day. In the morning before we went to school and as soon as we got back from school, we would eat light snack and then meal before dusk. It was not my home so I couldn't ask a much, I ate what I was given. Felt as if I was never full but it is what it is. There were not a lot of choices either, it was rice, lentils, milk sometime, corn bread, millet bread etc. However, every meal contained salt & chilly pepper. Life style has not changed much since I left my village but I see they have electricity, cellphones and roads. But I hear all of these facilities are down due to this earthquake. Back then I used to read books and do homework during day light and at night we studied under a kerosene lamps. Now, I look back and feel nothing but grateful that I had to go through it because I see now the value of my time over there. Therefor, I have nothing but respect and love for the people who has given me such an opportunity to get this far. I always felt, I need to give back to the village and people but never was there any opportunity that I could. Few times, I have provided school supplies with help of my friends and myself but very minuscule. I always wanted to do more for the people.  

My buddy Purna Bahadur with his two kids and village kids. 

Even if I couldn't do much for the people of these villages during their happy times at least I am giving small token of support from the support I collected from friends & friends of Nepal. This is the time they need me the most. I hope they are okay because the damages from the April 25th earthquake is vast, incomprehensible and on top the May 8th earthquake 7.3 rector scale, there is no report yet from the villages. This new tremor has put a damper on our effort to get the supplies to the villages. But we are ready to get things moving. Within days, we will be distributing the above mentioned supplies for every family. 

Once again, I cannot thank you enough for the love & support you have showed us. You have made a difference in the lives of many. I assure you they will forever be grateful for your support. I have inserted below link regarding the latest news from Nepal. Thank you

Much peace & happiness to you all.

Prem Lama

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32701385

People coming together for Nepal !

This Friday the 8th of May, there is going to be a Nepal Earthquake benefit show @ Door County Brewing Company, Baileys Harbor https://www.facebook.com/events/420271234822331/ If you are around in Door County, please stop by to support our local business because this business is supporting the people of Nepal. Thank you

Viva Nepal
FYI So far we are able to collect $ 7853.38 in total. This is all because of generous people like you out there my friends. I am so proud of you that you have made this possible. This fund will directly go the villages in Ichok. Partial fund has already been sent to Nepal as i have mentioned in my previous post for immediate essentials. More helps continuing from community of Door County. Thank you Thank You & Thank you. 

Oh I also wanted to share some thoughts and this picture because although, the picture is sad, there is a hope. This photo is courtesy of a mutual friend of mine shared it via facebook.

This disaster was beyond one could comprehend. Since the day of earthquake, I have been on the run for help everyday for the people of my village in remote Nepal. I should not say my people because they are everyone's people. We live in a single planet therefore we are one. True, color may differ, location may differ but blood, sweat, & tears feels the same in any place or race.

I could not imagine human suffering of this scale. I have cried many times for the people of Nepal. I have series of thoughts that i would like to share here. This is not just Nepal story, this is a human story. This is my story and your story. Everyone's story/ One day we all have to leave this earth. No one knows when. While we are alive at least we could do something about it. We could in fact ease the pain of these people who have lost everything. We want our children to remember that we were part of something big. I cannot imagine what Nepal might have gone through this last 13 days and many more to come. What is generosity? How do we cultivate the true compassion? Must inquire within as Buddha says.

My wife Kim & I in Jyambeyang Primary School 2008 with village children & school teachers. This is very school my father help build. My help will go here. 

That is why; To whom it may concern as it should concern all of us. The life is fragile, the planet is fragile. Everyone cries when they lose and everyone laughs when they win. Everyone suffers, everyone loses and everyone wins, it is just a matter of time. I hope, every Nepali's faith is still alive. I hope, they would not lose hope. My prayers Om Mani Padme Hum, hail to the jewel on the lotus. May all beings be free from suffering and attain supreme happiness, just like how I wish to feel every single moment. May we respect and honor to the divinity within oneself therefore in others equally. My wishing to be happy and feel safe is no bigger than yours. Hence, this moment is our moment to rise above our own little world of comfort & become part of something big for the cause of human suffering. In Buddhism, such true altruistic practitioners were called Bodhisattvas. Although, Bodhisattvas had opportunity to become enlightened, they would give up being enlightened and rather help as many suffering as possible, may it be eons of life cycle. Now, in this day and age such beings are hard to be seen, doesn't mean they do not exist. That very Bodhisattva could be you. Why not? Because if one's intention is pure and if one were to give without any expectation or wishing nothing in return then your generosity is clean & pure. The power of pure generosity (Dana in Sanskrit) cannot be underestimated. May it be a drop in an ocean still contributing to the ocean & becoming one with the ocean. That is why our purpose in life is to constantly strive to be a good, caring and responsible human being (citizen) of this planet. I think it is our duty and responsibility to act and participate to alleviate as many lives as possible.

Ichok village in 90s. 90 % of the village is destroyed. My relief  package is going here.  

Hence, my friends. Your contribution will not go wasted. Your every single drops will be collected and put to good use in this vast human suffering. I need as much help as I can get because the need of these people is unlike any that i have seen or know in my life time. Although, I am not there, I can still feel the pain. I grew up there. I have walked through those trails, I have visited those homes. I went to school with many who are still there or some may have left this earth. I don't quite know for sure. I urge all of us that, We must care. We all can take a pledge, "I am compassionate, I must practice it & I must try". Kindness is most likely the greatest asset of human race. We should act with good heart  and help these people so that we also can find peace. They need a friend right now to lean on. I heard a man saying on a video, "we are sleeping under the open sky and on the plain ground." People are running out of food. What ever food they could salvage are dwindling down as days pass by without any help coming their way. Children, olds and pregnant women are the most effected ones. "Villages beginning to stink, don't know whether it is human body or animals", my uncle who just came back from the village said. Most I spoke with have said, food seem to the number one priority for the people and that the very thing we will do.

Things are bad. On top, monsoon is coming soon. There could be landslides. If they cannot get supplies before the monsoon, life would be even harder for these poor people.

But I have faith, we will prevail, Nepali are resilient people . My sister Purnima said, "you wish for it and it will be fulfilled" as the quote from Mathew 7:7-8 goes "ask and you shall receive". I am asking to make this happen. I have approximately, 1100 households under my radar. If I can at least get them a sack of rice for a each family, it would at least hold them for a while. Please feel free to make a donation. This donation is like no other donation, its a need based, therefore it very important.

The bottom picture of Nepal flag to show the support for Nepal and to thank you all for your continues kindness towards people of Nepal.

Latest News from the village of Ichok !

These are the images that my sister Purnima took after visit to the village. She has delivered some immediate medical supplies. Situation is dire. Those who can get to their food stock, are running out of food. Due to the weekend funds hasn't been released yet, as soon as the funds available, we will be bringing rice, lentils, chili peppers & salt for immediate relief from hunger, so that the villagers continue to work on their homes. Time is very sensitive. My dad is still assessing the damages and collecting data. Mobile phone line is virtually unreachable in these villages.

Ichok and surrounding villages have approximately 900 households. So far, 109 deaths and many injured. Government relief package still has not arrived yet. Roads are slowly getting cleared however. That is a good news because it will help us to get to these villages with supplies faster. My effort to get help to these villages continues. Purnima and other volunteers are working tirelessly everyday. Purnima has been collecting basic clothing and food items in the cities. "This is a very hard times for everyone, who ever gives us anything to help these villages, we will accept it." says Purnima. Here in the States, I have been promoting day in day out to get my message across in my community. People here in Door County, Wisconsin and other states have been very supportive & receptive. For those of you who have helped me, on behalf of my villagers & Nepal, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind generosity. Please if you have not donated I would like to ask for your help.

https://plus.google.com/photos/114540255542072179091/albums/6144852702314741969?authkey=CK-Hn_nWx9rWIQ

Updates on relief Fund for my village!

Dear friends & good citizens of this earth. Good news is as of right now we are able to raise $2,497.07 USD. So far. My effort continues, as much as I can, there still much needs to be done. I feel, we are just scratching the surface. Western Union, the money transfer agency has waived the the transferring fee, that is a good news. 

I want to thank you all for your continuing support to provide some relief to the villages, where I came from. It is very  hard to reach these areas right now. However efforts are being made. Progress is slow. I will post some pictures here. Due to rain boulders falling ; roads are completely blocked. My father told me he is headed to the villages tomorrow despite travel hazard. It is hard to connect via phone. I still have not been able to contact my village quite yet. Communication is flowing via my sister in Kathmandu. Initially, she planned to go the village but due to her 14 months old sick child her travel is halted. My father is leaving with other volunteers to assess the situation. I however received some draft information regarding what has to be done and what is needed.

Temporary Relief Plan: 2-3 weeks

To asses the site and provide the help needed

Plan: The plan is to provide the victims with basic necessities for them to survive during the pre-monsoon season. The hygiene material will be distributed to prevent any outbreak of communicable diseases. People will be recommended to dispose their waste properly.  Below are the list of supplies that might be needed. The number will be determined after the initial assessment.

Relief Supplies Mask and Gloves
Water Purification system (Piyush): To purify drinking water pills.
Bucket: To fetch water and to keep food and supplies dry for each household.
Tents: For make shift houses and for schools to resume
Plastic Sheets: To make shift houses
Raincoats and plastic trash bags. 
BlanketsSleeping Mats
Over the counter medicine such as Cetamole,d-cold ( like Tylenol etc)

Soaps, bandages
Dettol (sanitizer for the wound )
Jevan Jal: diarrhea medicine

Dal , Rice, Beaten Rice,  WaiWai (dry food)
Safety Pins
Flash Light with batteries.

Candles, kerosene stoves.

Mode of Transportation: We might have to use helicopter to deliver the materials because of lack of proper roads. It will be assessed based on what can be done to get things moving. There was a landslide recently, due to that road condition is unsafe to bring supplies . The village is typically a day’s walk uphill from the nearest bus station even before the quake. After the landslide it would even be harder.

Long term Plan: Help in the reconstruction of the basic infrastructure in the village. In the future school could be used as resource center in future disaster relief efforts . Education is the key for resilience and further development of the  village. As you can see from the images, how hard the situation might be.