By Jacqueline Frost | Development and Communications Manager
The months-long embargo that crippled much of Nepal over the winter has lifted and NYF staffers are returning to the work of rebuilding from the 2015 earthquakes.
The politically triggered blockade at the Indian border came on the heels of the devastating earthquakes and caused widespread economic and humanitarian loss. Fuel was scarce and the lack of cooking fuel forced people to cook outside with wood. Hospitals turned away non-critical patients because of a shortage of medicine and supplies.
We continued to care for the children under our watch, but were forced to sharply curtail all of our programs. Without petrol, our staff used 15 bicycles to get to our projects in Kathmandu.
Despite the disruptions, we were able to still make an impact on the lives of some of the world’s most impoverished children.
A 14-year-old from a remote village in the western hills of Nepal dropped out of school after receiving heart emergency heart surgery from a team of doctors in Kathmandu. He was working as a dishwasher to pay for his care. NYF took him into one our residential homes and is now supporting him in school.
Two siblings and their mother arrived at our New Life Center for children with HIV-AIDS, severely under-weight, and covered with rashes and cuts. Three months later, the family returned home, with their HIV under control and in good health. Their mother had also learned the skills and knowledge needed to care for her children and herself.
Our programs are gearing up again. We are building classrooms, enrolling more students in our scholarship programs, and have launched our Construction Skills Training program to teach villagers and young people skills to enter the building trades.
The Nepali people are very resilient, and we are hopeful that the country can now move forward to rebuild and recover from the earthquakes and discord.
Thank you for your continued support.
Namaste!
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