Not the end of the world, I hope, although it has certainly felt like it these past few weeks. I mean the end of this blog. This blog was started to record my time in Nepal--my year with the yeti, if you will--but now that time is finished. Some day within the next two week I will write my final posts and upload my final photographs.
But today is not that day.
Today is the day when I ask you (yet again) for money. Sort of. By now, most of you have probably heard about the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal, just two weeks after the big 'un. According to my research, it looks like the epicenter was very close to Namche Bazaar: one of the towns I stopped in during my Everest trek. And also according to my research, scientists think that more earthquakes may be on the horizon (you can read about it here).
In any case, Nepal needs our help. In my last post, I listed several charities that seemed like good recipients for your donations. If big charities aren't your thing, here's another, more personal cause:
Relief for Ramche - Waaaaaaay back in November, the Fulbright ETAs had the pleasure of sharing our apartment with the two Fulbright-Clinton scholars, Rebekah and Amanda, for the Thanksgiving holiday. They are both awesome, brilliant, compassionate people who let me sleep on their couch several times (oh, and who are aides/advisers to the Nepali, government). Amanda has organized a relief effort for one of the villages flattened by the earthquake on April 25.
Why do I recommend this? First of all, you can totally trust Amanda. 100% of the donated money is being used for supplies and transport. She's doing this because, as I mentioned above, she's an awesome, brilliant, compassionate person. Secondly, a little money goes a long way, and all of the money is going directly where it's needed without being held up by red tape.
So consider helping out Ramche. To donate, click here.
Saarathi - This is an awareness initiative started by my friend Anuradha from Kathalaya Publishing (you can read about my experiences with them here and here). She is trying to raise awareness children's trauma, especially connected to these earthquakes. Emotional problems in children are horribly ignored in Nepali society, and Anuradha is hoping that by speaking out and writing books about this issue, we might be able to help these children before the trauma turns into something worse.
Literally all you have to do is like this page on Facebook. Easy-peasy. If you're feeling especially kind, share it, and get your friends to like it and share it.
Getting off my soapbox for today. Thanks for reading.
