It has been about 5 months since the earthquake in Nepal. Despite news reports of devastation in some remote areas and especially the Langtang village, all trekking areas are open with the exception of Langtang. Many homes in the hardest hit areas of Gorkha and Sindupalchok were flattened and of course, the schools also hard hit. Education is so important and this will be a generation who will always remember the big earthquake!The Nalang school in Dhading district is about 20 km away in the next valley over from the epicenter close to Gorkha and was also damaged. Nearly all the homes in Nalang village were badly damaged and people now living in temporary shelters during monsoon, some only under tarps just surviving. As soon as the monsoons stop (usually by the end of September) more rebuilding of village homes and schools will take much of their focus this fall and winter.
In January and February this year we were adding 2 more rooms to the 5 built 3 years ago. As you will see, the new wing is also badly damaged and will require much work to ensure it is safe for use again.
There has been a temporary shelter for school, but not all children are able to be accommodated. The fund raising activities and donations from many of my friends, yogis, relatives and many others amounted to about $7500 of which half was used right after the earthquake for emergency food, shelter, medicines, etc. and support of MSF - Doctors without Borders.
I will be sending the other half in November when I return to Nepal with a group heading into Bhutan. These funds will be used to buy supplies like cement and wood frames, doors, etc to rebuild the Nalang school.
It is so important that we travel to Nepal now as food, water, hotels and transportation is safe. This is a way to support the local people as the Nepal government is doing very little outside of Kathmandu. Our porters, guides, taxis, hotel staff, restaurants, shops, etc. will all benefit from tourism coming back.
Currently tourism is down 50% to 90%. However, Nepal is recovering, many cultural sights are not damaged and it is still worth seeing these amazing World Heritage sights and experiencing the culture of Nepal. Please email me if you have any questions! And huge thanks to all who have donated to this school and help with its recovery!
Namaste, Neil
Temporary classroom
Lok and students at Nalang school grounds
Temporary shelter
