PERSPECTIVE

May 12th, 2015 - "At least 1,000 more people died on Tuesday after a major earthquake struck Nepal, triggering landslides, avalanches, and toppling buildings three stories high" (Fox News).

Being on the other side of the world we are really only fed numerous accounts of second-hand information through the media. This is why it’s so difficult for someone, like myself, to put the severity and actuality of the situation into perspective.

Since the first shake I’ve been trying to anticipate and comprehend what I would be walking into, but as time went on and newscasters started to focus on other “TOP STORIES,” my initial thoughts of how severe the earthquakes were and how it would affect the country of Nepal would slowly dissipate into the rest of my newsfeed.  

Today, on June 6^th, at ground zero, I was forced to put everything into perspective. The six of us, speechless, were placed into what looked like a scene from ‘American Sniper.’ A ghost town of abandoned, hundreds of year old buildings that are literally crumbling to pieces as the day goes on.

Even more heartbreaking, in order for residents to obtain money from the government in order to rebuild their home they must do two things: pay all their taxes, and tear down what is left of their humble homes. The physical challenge of tearing down your home is somewhat unbearable, not to mention the emotional and dangerous aspects of it, which is where WE come in.

We set out on a project, simple but ambitious. Our goal was to help, in any way shape or form. And today we found ourselves tearing down a widow’s home. Despite an obvious language barrier, and a whole lot of dust, we tore down two stories of wood, bricks, metals and memories.

With that said, the Nepalese people are not looking for sympathy. They have hope and are among the strongest, bravest, proud, and most beautiful people in the world. The people of Nepal will rebuild, they will grow and if you don’t believe me, you can ask 11 year old Sjyina and she will tell you, “I am proud to be Nepali, and nothing, no matter how big, will never ever tear this beautiful place down.”

I am not exaggerating when I say we were the only people in Durbar Square doing relief work. It is obvious that the people of Nepal desperately need manpower, supplies, and economic support. Please do not leave the people of Nepal behind with the rest of your newsfeed. Even though you are literally on the other side of the world, you can help. The Nepal that exists today is undeniably different, but with our presence, a mere 6 human beings, we’ve already offered a new sense of hope to those we’ve impacted. Great change is possible, but we need YOU.
Here is where things get a little complicated, I can't give you a step by step program on how to help. Right now I have an incredible opportunity to be here in Nepal. So I'm focusing all of my time and effort for the next 9 days to do what I can to help the people of Nepal rebuild. I'm asking YOU to be proactive, be intuitive, get creative, please if you truly want to help the solution will have to come from within you. It is far from easy but if you would truly like to make a change, it is achievable.