Week 3. Initial successful steps!

Matt, from our shelter team, took this cool photo of the outside of our field office at night, after the (crazy) military helped tap us into the power grid by stripping right off of the main electrical line, (did I mention this is crazy?).  Regardless, we’re appreciative for the periodic electricity that we now enjoy.  To have working light bulbs in the field, even periodically, is seriously amazing. 

 Anyway, it’s been an exciting week as we for real kicked off our shelter program in the field.  Starting with two packed trucks, with a third truck with 7 new hires and a promise of a supply truck from Kathmandu to follow 24hrs later, we left our field base and headed east, destination: a remote area about 5 hours away on the Eastern edge of the district. 

With 21 guys most of the week, it’s been a rewarding but definitely challenging time planning for everything from transportation, living, money, and food arrangements, not to mention the actual work plans for everyone.  Thankfully, things have gone unexpectedly well, with the guys in the field exceeding expectations, meaning we’re fighting to stay ahead of them with getting new work areas arranged with community leaders (a great problem to have!).  Perhaps even better is how well the guys have gelled as I wasn’t quite sure how well everyone we had hired would come together in the field where we literally spend every waking hour together.  This is the first time that I recall having to bring a team like this together so it’s been a big relief how smooth things have gone, and huge props to the support and base teams that have all played significant roles to get this program off the ground.  From the guys who can cook for a 20+ group, to the experienced off road motorbike driver (and even better, have a legit license), to the guitar players for after hours unwinding, to the computer savvy guys and paper organizers, to the community relationship builders, to the guy who knows where to find cheap eggs that no one else knew of, to the guy who picks plums throughout the day and brings them back to share at camp, to the driver who will confidently drive his overloaded 2WD through the river with chest high level water, it’s been such a pleasure seeing how each of their strengths fits the various roles we needed on the team. 

Most of the team!

Caleb with our logistics team, who came out to help us set up base, also gave a great intro into the history of the organization with the parable of the good Samaritan, which most our group hadn’t heard before. I’m hopeful that as our international staff continue to lead and demonstrate the principles of the story, it will lead to some meaningful discussions with our group of field guys.

Unfortunately but inevitably, just as we’re getting comfortable, the countdown is at about 72 hours (which may have elapsed by the time I get internet to post this) before final handovers and I start heading back to Kathmandu base and then the airport to fly home on Friday. 

I’ve learned a lot of lessons from the Nepalese, not in the least the ubiquitous bobbleheadlike-and-at-first-confusing “Yes” head shake.  Instead of the more common head nod with the chin moving up and down, try moving the chin side to side (more closely resembling what we associate with as the “I don’t know/don’t care” head motion).  Seriously though, it’s so encouraging to go into supposed hard-to-reach areas with vulnerable peoples to assess shelter needs and find that the majority of people have already built themselves pretty sturdy shelters.  And while the political and government wranglings have at times been frustrating, how much does that actually differ from the same systems back home? 

Power’s probably going to shut off anytime now (it’s actually possibly more consistent out here than back in the district capital), so I will end off here. Will try to get at least one more post out before the end of my time here! 

Danyabaad once again and hope to see many of you soon! 

Week 2 (Longwinded) Recap!

Four weeks seemed like a fairly long time before arriving in Nepal so it's crazy and sad to realize that it's already more than halfway through!

I’d left off the last post mentioning that we’d be traveling to complete some assessments in a more remote area.  We ended up spending three days struggling with, among other things,  

1.      terrible roads including mudslides blockages that meant 5 hour detours, and

2.      no power, internet or cell phone network leaving plenty of difficulties connecting with community leadership. 

BUT having said that, it truly was an amazing three days, and each challenge led to further opportunities and learnings, not to mention some great memories. 

One of several landslides blocking the road to the village we were travelling to.

I think every building on the military base we stayed at has suffered irrepairable damage meaning all base personnel are still living in tents.

One of the highlights, and encouragements from the three days, was going out the furthest, and what the community leaders had described as most vulnerable area in the their region.  It was over a 3 hr walk from the nearest pickup accessible road, which will make the logistics of providing shelters challenging.  And as we crested the final of many hills to reach this place, we found the community members, none of whom have started rebuilding their own homes, gathered together to tear down the remnants of the local primary school to rebuild so that the children could restart their studies.  

The rest of the team also wrapped up an intense two weeks of emergency shelter and hygiene supply distributions this week.  So, a number of us changed gears and spent Friday afternoon at a nearby school for deaf children to deliver and setup a donated tent and some other supplies.  It was such a blessing to be able to spend this time with these children, who at first were shy and timid, but quickly warmed up to us, and us to them.  I think that this was my first experience at a school for the deaf and at first, it seemed a bit strange adjusting to the silence as most of the kids barely make a sound.  It’s also difficult to imagine, in a culture where discrimination remains prevalent between castes, classes, and professions, how these children are regarded by the greater society.  But through a lot of hand motions, some sign language the older kids taught us, and a lot of smiles and some funny facial expressions, I thought we bonded better than we could have with words!  Overall, it was just a really refreshing time to get our minds off work, make some new friends, and be encouraged by these children who are making the most of what they can despite their limitations. :)

I got along especially well with the lil guy on my left. :)

During one of our morning meetings, one of the team members shared the verse, Psalm 127:1, which says, “Unless the Lord build the house, the builders labor in vain.”  Our plan going forward, and my main focus with the remaining time here, is now to focus on developing our shelter program.  I hope to have our assessment and training teams up and rolling before I leave, with the framework for the implementation of the physical shelters to follow shortly afterwards.  This verse was such a timely reminder in the midst all of everything we are working on, not to rely on our own understanding and expectations.

Our team lead closed by playing “Come thou Fount of every blessing” on the harmonica and it was just a great moment of reflection, as we sat in our living room/office, listening to the hymn, and being partially drowned out by a helicopter taking off from the landing pad next to our house.  One of the NGO’s we work with lost a helicopter with several staff aboard earlier this week, so it was an especially poignant reminder to cherish every moment we have as only God knows how many moments there will be.  

So to conclude with a few thoughts on Nepal from what I’ve read/been told/observed thus far.  This country has had a difficult past, bearing many effects of being geographically and culturally sandwiched between two of the most influential countries in the world, not to mention a strong lingering European colonial influence.  The result has left a fragmented society that has struggled with different government systems that have hindered its ability to develop and prosper, despite boasting an incredible natural environment that includes some of the most stunning landscapes I’ve had the privilege to experience.

The people of Nepal have endured much, and the most recent earthquakes are yet another setback that they are now struggling to recover from.  But it has been so encouraging to partner and share their great passion and energy to rebuild better and stronger than where they were before.    

Amazing.

This coming week will be similar to last in that we will be back in the rural areas starting the detailed assessments with our new teams so will probably be another long recap towards the end of the next week! 

Danyebaad (thanks) again for sharing in this work with your support and encouragement.

Week One Recap!

Sorry all for the delay in sending an update! 

Between the early mornings and the astoundingly firm Nepali mattresses that are well designed to prevent a good night’s rest, I think this is the latest I’ve been able to stay awake thus far!  I’m currently working with the team in the Dolakha district, which is where the epicenter of the second large earthquake was located, and much of the significant damage has occurred.  Things have been progressing well amid an ever evolving situation and environment.  I'm blessed to have a great team here to work with and lean on for support.

I’ll quickly write a few thousand words, mostly in the form of some pictures. ;)  These are primarily of the destruction that we’ve seen so far.  But in the face of all this pain, the Nepali people continue to persevere, to support each other, and to rebuild their homes and their lives.   

Case in point, the Chief District Officer for the district we are working in requested a meeting with us at 630am this morning, on a Sunday.  A biweekly meeting between other NGO’s then took place in the CDO’s office again that afternoon which lasted until 6pm.  I think most are familiar with the typical working hours for government workers, but for all of the criticism that has been levelled at the Nepali government, I am encouraged by the example of those like this CDO, who is so determined to help his constituents rebuild their homes and their lives as quickly and orderly as possible.

First collapsed building I saw in Kathmandu.

Near completed new building that I think from the visible cracking and overall lean may now need to be torn down.

  

Despite all the destruction that did occur, it is amazing, and a great surprise, that not more of the many buildings in this town were not more severely damaged.

 One of the reasons I really want to post tonight is because a small team of us will be heading up to some remote regions of the district tomorrow morning.  The plan is to camp out in the local army barracks compound during this time, so I don't expect to have cell phone or internet reception until we return towards the end of the week.   

Between the Nepalese government and various NGO's working on the relief efforts, a national shelter strategy has been developed which is to direct relief assistance towards the most vulnerable (widows, orphaned, elderly, etc) within the most difficult to reach areas of this mountainous country.  So our goal with this initial assessment will be to identify where some of the people are and what they require to protect themselves from the impending monsoon season.    

As you may have noticed in the background of the some of the pictures, Nepal is a beautiful country with the breathtaking backdrop of the Himalayan Mountain Range.

I'll end off here for now, but fully intend to share more in a few days time!  Thanks again for your continued support and prayers.   

Namaste

Namaste! (General Nepalese greeting)

Firstly, thank you for visiting this blog.  I’ve just arrived at our base in Kathmandu and I’ll do my best to share some stories and pictures (internet permitting!) about the work we’ll be doing and the encouraging people that I’m sure we meet.

As you know, Nepal experienced a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake on April 25 which killed and injured many thousands of Nepalese people, and affected many times more.  A second earthquake of 7.3 magnitude struck on May 12 which caused further damage to the already fragile region. 

I will be working in country over the next four weeks as part of Samaritan’s Purse (SP) Disaster Assistance Response Team, primarily focusing on the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) requirements in four districts around Kathmandu that the local government has assigned to SP.

Below is a slightly outdated but still useful quick visual summarizing some of high level targets that our team will be working to reach.

A big thanks for all of the support I've received in the lead up to my departure from family, friends, church and work.  It’s a great encouragement to have such a strong support base and I’d very much appreciate your continued support and prayers during the next few weeks, but also beyond, as this is just the start of a long rebuilding process for Nepal. 

For more information on the Nepal response efforts, see attached link to SP’s webpage. http://www.samaritanspurse.ca/rss/disaster-relief/asia/deadly-earthquake-in-nepal.aspx#.VWA7yk9Viko

I’ve also included the link to Engineering Ministries International’s (eMi) webpage for their ongoing response involvement as I’ve previously and continue to be fortunate enough to work alongside this great organization.  http://www.emiworld.org/disasterresponse_nepal.php

Dhanyabad, (Thank you)

Wes