I received an email from someone answering my request for donations to Nepal Outreach and I realized the fatal flaw in my little plan. Lesson 1: There's always a SNAFU. Here's my response to the email:
Thanks for your interest in the Nepal posts.I'm looking for donations for Nepal Outreach, which represents Forward Looking in the states. Nepal Outreach was founded by my in-laws, C— and S—, to assist Forward Looking in subsidizing the cost of education for Nepali children who would otherwise receive little or no education; that gift makes a huge difference in the lives of whole families and villages.
Forward Looking was founded in Nepal by Purushotam Mandahar, a close friend of C— and S— who passed away last year, but the work of Forward Looking is being carried on by those who knew and loved him.
C— and S— are in Nepal until March of this year and contacting them is difficult as there are 10 to 12 hour blackouts in Katmandu each day. I emailed them today to let them know I'm using my blog to generate interest in Nepal Outreach and to learn how donations should be directed during their absence. Checks are made out to Nepal Outreach, but I'm not sure where they want them sent presently.
If your interest is in helping Em Bahadur, that is, Mister X, I will have to ask C— specifically how that would be managed as there is no organization specifically set up for this type of help that we are working with presently. But what I imagine could be done is Nepal Outreach could work with the village elders to facilitate assistance, which might come in the form of meeting material needs, food, or medical assistance. C— and S— have long term and strong relationships with the Pipaltar village elders so I believe arrangements could be made with trusted friends to facilitate assistance. This is all contingent on factors I cannot guarantee, so whether we can assist Mr. X is in question presently.
As far as Forward Looking is concerned, $100 puts a child through a year of school, but every little bit helps. $10, $20, or $30 goes a long way in Nepal. This is a matter for you to decide, but anything you can do to help is appreciated.
Until C— and S— get back to me I'm at an impasse, and there is nothing I can do but let people know of the need. May I hold onto your email address until either they return or I get some direction from Nepal? (I want to apologize, as I'm not a professional fund raiser this is all somewhat of a snafu. I'm doing what I can.)
For my part, I'm going to start building a web presence for Nepal Outreach as sort of a full time bleg and point of contact. I'll donate hosting, coding and design. (Presently I have hundreds of C—'s slides from Nepal to scan and use for the site, which is pretty exciting).
This is not my forte but I'm making an effort because it's something I believe in strongly. The most compelling aspect of what I'm trying to do comes from knowing this effort is made to meet desperate need. Lives can be changed in startling ways with just a little effort.
I worked for years with teenagers here in the states, but I was just helping kids learn to grow up in a land where they had lots of opportunities. I'm thankful that I had the chance to work with the kids at the group home, but this is something different. These are beautiful people for whom our meager efforts open up a whole new world—it's the difference between living life with just the clothes on your back and being in a place where you can help your family and your neighbors, all because someone helped you. Isn't that cool?
If this appeals to you and you're in a position to help somebody who needs help, contact me and I'll get your information to Nepal Outreach.
nepal {at} jephnol {dot} com
Thanks.
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