Earthquake Relief for Disadvantaged in Nepal

There is still so much to be done to restore the damage from earthquakes.  Not only does the infrastructure need to be repaired, but houses and other buildings sustained such severe damage.  The disadvantaged people are suffering the most since they do not have the knowledge and resources to do repairs and rebuilding in a timely way.  Leadership training of community leaders provides skills that help in rebuilding.

ICA Nepal in association with the Jean Houston Foundation conducted a series of Social Artistry Leadership Trainings. Two day training for teachers was conducted on May 7^th and May 8^th followed by a two day leadership training for differently abled people on 10^th and 11^th May. Also youth focused training on Social Artistry Leadership was conducted for Rotaract/ Non-rotaract, on the date 14th May. Similarly, ICA Nepal also conducted training on Social Artistry leadership for participants from various Rotary clubs within Kathmandu valley as well as Non Rotarians on 15^th May. A three-day long advanced training as training design session was conducted for selected few participants, who had already participated in the first level of the Social Artistry training on 13^th, 17^th and 18^th May. With an aim to empower rural women through the tools and techniques of Social Artistry and Promoting women entrepreneurship through Social Artistry Leadership Development Training at Khanigaun, Parbat was held from 27th to 29th May.

Your assistance has made these trainings possible.  Thank you.

Since the devastation of the earthquakes in Nepal a year ago, there have been major rebuilding and recovery efforts and the work continues. There is still so much to be done, and that can be discouraging as people daily see the many challenges to be addressed.

Boudhanath Stupa is being repaired after earthquakes last year. Pramila, Amba, Evelyn and Janet walked around the Stupa square and watched monks and pilgrims chanting. This is a symbol of the hope evidenced in rebuilding and recovery. It's the time for celebration of what has been achieved, what is in progress, and what is yet to be achieved.

This is a growing story, and the Nepali community of social artists created songs and poetry, and want to create a booklet describing their stories and share this with everyone. Thank you to Amba, Atman and Pramila for translation to Nepali, as well as Nirmala who jumped in sharing line by line poetry which touched the hearts of everyone.

Evelyn, visiting trainer expressed, “I was deeply touched. I can feel the heart from which ICA Nepal helped to rebuild a house for the Differently Abled after the earthquake.”

Nepali social artists expressed deepest thanks to Janet, Evelyn and Richard for coming from Canada and Taiwan to deliver the wonderful sessions that refreshed everyone again after the months of delivering aid to those in need; rebuilding what was destroyed; and inspiring and training community leaders.

The recovery efforts continue in and around Kathmandu, and contributions are needed in particular to provide outreach to the western part of Nepal where community leaders are in need of training and support.