Nepal Earthquake - Three Years On

The resulting destruction to peoples lives, livelihoods and housing was unimaginable and sadly still has ongoing consequences for so many.

I was in Nepal at the time and I stayed for 3 ½ months thereafter. It became one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Your kindness and generosity raised approximately $20,000 NZ dollars (12,000 Euros) through the immediate fundraising efforts. With that money I was able to quickly offer direct aid which provided housing, medical attention, financial and basic supplies as well as other necessary support which touched hundreds.

The aim of this fundraiser is to continue to give much needed support to those families still struggling to rebuild their lives, and secondly to raise funds for the lunch and schooling projects being carried out by Rangjung Yeshe Shenpen (www.shenpennepal.org). Shenpen is an organisation doing incredible work benefiting poor and disadvantaged in Nepal in the areas of Health, Education, Street Children, Elderly, Skills Training, and Animal Welfare.

One programme where donations will be directed provides nutritious hot meals at the tiny cost of 26 Euro cents per child, for 184 children. A meal provides much needed stability and nutrition which enables children to continue with school and avoid them needing to quit for work or begging and possibly ending up or returning to a life on the street.

With the finds raised, a portion of all donations will go to helping the families I met after the 2015 earthquake who are still struggling with basic daily needs. The rest will go to support a meals for pupils programme run by Shenpen - a non-profit social work organisation and other programmes supporting the education of disadvantaged children in Nepal.

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I have said the prayer below often and this fundraiser attempts in a small way to take action in a real way upon this.

May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness.

May they be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.

May they never be separated from sorrowless bliss.

May they abide in a state of equanimity free of bias, attachment and anger.

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Thank you for supporting this project with your positive thoughts, financial contribution or by passing it on to anyone who may be inclined.

Stephen Black