 Devastating Earthquakes, April, 2015
Updates from Nepal: October, 2015
In this update:
Click on the INDEX Title to go directly to the topic. Click the back button on your browser to return to the top of this blog.
Nima Sherpa and Nick Moon’s Report from Nepal
Rebuilding the trail for the Nakchun Families and Scholarsips – Latest Update
Himalaya Club Relief House Project
Photo from Nick Moon and Nema Shirpa Nepal Visit – June 2015 (Click HERE for the report)
Overwhelming GenerosityÂ
Just over five months ago the first of two devastating earthquakes followed by many aftershocks changed the country of Nepal and its people forever.
In my last BLOG POST Nepal Earthquake Disaster Update 1 – June 
17, 2015 I wrote of the Monsoons coming, and the additional challenge this presents for the gentle-spirited people of Nepal, particularly the Sherpa people living in the mountain villages of the majestic Himalaya. We now have some first-hand news from Nepal, and from Pattie Moon, Founder of The Maya Sherpa Project. Thank you once again for the many gifts already made for this cause, and for the ongoing support we continue to receive.
Please revisit my earlier BLOGs and consider making a donation to continue our support on the ground in Nepal. Simply click on the Donate box to the left. From here you can make a contribution using your Visa card or PayPal. No contribution is too small.
Maya Sherpa Project Update
From Pattie Moon, Founder of The Maya Sherpa Project
Nepal Earthquake Relief Update: October 2015
The Maya Sherpa Project is grateful for your generous donations and those of your friends for the 2015 Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund.
In a country with such great need, everything is useful and much appreciated.
To read the Maya Sherpa Project’s full report, click HERE .
Nima Sherpa and Nick Moon’s visit to Nepal, June 2015
Upon returning to the States, both Nima and Nick expressed their opinions about ways to utilize the generous donations the Maya Sherpa Project had received. They agreed that the best approach is to help rebuild village structures – the schools, health clinics, and monasteries – that will not be supported by government funding. Nothing could be more important, as these places are the heart of every Sherpa village; this is where they come together as a community to celebrate, share, learn, and mourn. And this is where they will find the support to help each other heal. The Sherpa are a resilient people, but first, let us help to get them back on their feet.
 The devastation is beyond our understanding or comprehension.
Many trails have been obliterated. The village of Nakchun which the Maya Sherpa Project supports had been cut off completely since the earthquakes – from Nick and Nima’s report
Many structures – homes, teahouses, and other facilities has been damaged beyond repair – from Nick and Nima’s report
Each tarpaulin or tent represents a home or other building which had been destroyed in this village – from Nick and Nima’s report
Click HERE to read the full report by Nima Sherpa and Nick Moon on the Maya Sherpa Project website.
Rebuilding the trail for the Nakchun Families and Scholarships – Latest Update: October 11, 2015
The village of Nakchun has been supported by the Maya Sherpa Project in many different ways over the past years. Much of Nakchun has been destroyed by the earthquakes, and the only trail to the village was obliterated, isolating the villagers since April, 2015.  One of the first projects funded by the money raised for the Maya Sherpa Project’s earthquake relief effort is now underway – to rebuild this trail.
Here is an update from Pattie as recent as today, Sunday, October 11, 2015:
Here are the photos from the work that has just begun for the village of Nakchung. Such a great slice of the scenery in the Khumbu. My, those valleys are steep!
Work has started to rebuild the trail to Nakchung – the first of our projects in the remote Himalaya.
Somehow some construction safety hats have been found; essential as the continuous tremors could bring on new rock slides at any time
The monk in the picture likely performed a small puja ceremony to bless our work
We are also giving “scholarships” to the children from Nakchung, who have to now live and study in Lukla, since they also now can’t live in – and therefore walk from – their village to attend the Hillary schools in Lukla, 3+ hours each way every day . . . 6+ hours round trip, for children as young as 7! I know this is common practice, but I have proposed that we continue the scholarships after the trail is again open, so that they don’t have to spend that time walking. They could continue to board in other Sherpa homes, but return to Nakchung Friday evening until Monday morning. We shall see . . .
All this and more . . .
We are giving “scholarships” to the children from Nakchung, who have to now live and study in Lukla,since they also now can’t live in – and therefore walk from – their village to go to school. Although Lukla sustained much damage, it is a regional center which has received some assistance to rebuild.
Himalaya Club Relief House Project For Earthquake Victims
In the mean time, the Himalaya Club worked in Nakchun to provide housing for the villagers. Please take a few minutes to watch the video about the types of homes that are being constructed now; these 5 were built for the Nakchung families that were displaced by the earthquake. It is for them that we are building the road back to their village.
Click on the YouTube play button or on the image below to view the video. 
 
UBS Optimus Foundation
I am also so very grateful for the support from UBS, both in my effort to help raise funds for a small NGO, the Maya Sherpa Project, and in a big way through the UBS Optimus Foundation. Some of our friends and clients made contributions to the UBS Optimus Foundation’s Emergency Relief effort, receiving 100% match for contributions over $1,000 for a limited period. Current contributions to the cause are still matched 100%, but the minimum gift to qualify for this match is now $5,000. It is amazing what a huge difference both these efforts will make to the stricken Sherpa and other people of Nepal.
The solar suitcases capture solar energy and use
it to bring essential light and power to health facilities.
Like food, water and shelter, the lack of available electricity, particularly in the remote villages in the Himalaya, is a huge challenge. In one of the projects in Nepal supported by this effort, the UBS Optimus Foundation is funding 100 solar suitcases, some of which are already being used in Nepal helping to deal with the terrible aftermath of the recent earthquakes. The suitcases are used by local partner organization One Heart Worldwide for emergency medical care with a focus on obstetric and maternal needs in remote locations. In the longer term, the suitcases will be used to serve rural health outposts without access to electricity.
I will be attending an event in NYC on November 12, 2015: A Commitment to Philanthropy – an opportunity to learn more about our Optimus Foundation’s relief efforts in Nepal. Stay tuned for that update.
Please know that this letter is sent to you as much in the spirit of continuing to keep the awareness of this terrible tragedy alive as it is to solicit help financially in a small way. Your thoughts and prayers are just as important.
