What doesn’t break you, makes you stronger – Relief Efforts in Pharping Community

Sunita KC arrived at Pharping community distribution site with her mother and sister to collect the much needed emergency relief goods for her family. It has been seven days since the devastating earthquake hit Nepal and this is the first time Sunita and her family were able to receive any outside aid. Her home has been damaged and made unlivable by this disaster, they are making do with living under piece of tarp. For a family that has lost everything, they are grateful to still have one another.

Sunita KC (center) with her Mother (left) and her elder sister (right)

The 7.9 M earthquake has taken over 7,000 lives and destroyed more than 250,000 homes in Nepal, bringing families like Sunita’s on to the streets. The Government of Nepal has been overwhelmed by the scale of this disaster and has yet to send rescue operations to villages like Pharping, where many people are dealing with loss of lives and homes. Many families have no shelter, food or drinking water and are left to fend for themselves.

RF mentor Pramila (left) inspects Sunita and her Mother’s current living condition

In the wake of this disaster, our partner school, ASC, under the leadership of Shashi Sharma and Niroj Shreshta, brought together dedicated Rukmini staff and community members to work on collecting essential food and hygiene items for the affected families. These goods include crucial items such as foam to sleep on, rice, potato, sugar, glucose, eggs, disinfecting solution, sanitary napkins, and Oral Rehydration Solution. Along with the relief effort, the community is also raising money to help the families that have lost their homes with reconstruction.  The community leaders, along with Rukmini staff, are visiting the houses of our scholars and other affected families to give them support, while also inspecting their living condition.

Relief goods including essential items such as rice, lentil, grains, salt, soaps, biscuits…etc.

‘You never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only option’ The community in Pharping has shown their strength and have truly come through for one another in this difficult time. They have shown kindness and solidarity and despite the devastating scenes, their resilience is commendable.

 Rukmini Foundation’s mentor Pramila collecting names of families receiving the relief goods.

You can help support these efforts by donating here.

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About Priti Bhattarai

With a Masters from London School of Economics in NGOs and Development, along with courses in Social Policy and Gender and Development, Priti brings with her the experience of both policy and development. She was born in Nepal, brought up in Japan, and has lived in England for eight years. Before moving to the United States, she went back to Nepal and worked on issues concerning Education for All and Gender Equality. Her work entailed creating awareness amongst the communities in rural Nepal on issues concerning both health and education, whilst striving for change in the country’s education policy. She recently moved to the Untied States and has become part of the Rukmini Foundation. With her previous experience working in Nepal, she has a great understanding of Rukmini Foundation’s mission and vision and will chair the Nepal Team Committee to work closely with our team on the ground to ensure progress, productivity and help forge new relationship with other entities in Nepal.

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