12 June 2015 - Update from Richard Backwell on work in Nepal
Dear friends,
As a result of these donations, the Trust will carry out the following objectives:
1. Provide a Shelter Box via Portland Rotary ( this has already been done)
2. Rebuild and repair damage to 12 houses in the Okhle region. £3,000 has been already sent to Bimal Gurung, our contact in Nepal, for this work to get underway and we have just heard from Bimal that 3 of these houses are nearing completion. A further £5,000 will be sent out in a few week's time.
3. Provide funds for CENUK , a small Charity like ourselves with no administrative expenses, operating from Dorchester. They are looking to rebuild the area around Ashrang, an area very close to the epicentre of the earthquake where 70% of the 200 houses were either damaged or destroyed. Thus far they have received no help either from the government or any of the larger Charities so our donation of £5,000 will enable the villagers to put up 20 temporary buildings to provide much needed shelter during the monsoon period. The timber,stone and roofing material can be recycled when the villagers have the opportunity to build more permanent homes.
Every penny of the £12,000 raised goes to the Nepalese people. Because of the circumstances, Western Union kindly waived any transfer charge for the money sent to Bimal. When I visit the Okhle region in November, as well as taking photographs, I shall collect details of the villagers living in the 12 rebuilt houses and circulate this information on the website. This hopefully makes your generous contributions seem that much more personal.
Best Wishes
Richard