Thursday, August 24, 2006

ECWZ caring people in need








One maoist leader is receiving a phone call from his colleague. They have advance technology and system. Both Govt. police and Maoist are involved in the programme. At least ECWZ tried to build good relationship among them. Maoist are the strong force in the remote area even today. This bulk amount of rice will save 84 families at least for a month. This is the biggest support for them. ECWZ still strongly concentrating on the construction of the school building and other few infrastructure in the remote villages. (See picture below the ruined school).

ECWZ working through and with needy people!!




Finally ECWZ distributed a huge amount of food (Rice) to the victim of landslide. It was possible only because of those people who contributed for this programme by sending money. We were planning to provide support to 67 families who were said to be affected by the landslide (according to media and Govt.), but at the time 84 families were present there to get support. I didn’t want to disappoint them by saying to no. As the result I was compelled to cut the drinking oil. We had around 2000 kg of rice and 67 litre of oil, but at last we distributed only rice. That was 30 for each family and was 2520 kg in total. It was the biggest support for those people. Head of the Maoist and Govt. both were invited as chief guest but because of the landslide, govt. officials were not able to present there. The Man carrying colourful bag is the head of the Maoist for that district. Both Maoist and govt. people were there along with the representatives from Red cross and local intellectuals.
Prem (Head of the Maoist) said that Maoist will support ECWZ (www.ecwz.org.np) and other genuine organisations who work in most remote area for the welfare of disadvantaged and needy people. People and organisation appreciating us for this kind of support. We will have no risk from Maoist to in every part of that district from now. They will be coping us. We should have good relationship with both Govt and Maoist because we work in grass root level.
Those people, who supported us by sending money, please feel proud for your contribution because your precious earning has been spent for the survival of the people who are suffering from starvation caused by landslide.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Hardship of life





This is not a scene of a movie, nor the state of a stone aged family. This picture was taken when the family survived even after they lost their shelter and land. The situation depicts us how hard was the life when people didn’t have safe shelter. The whole district has been affected by the landslide. Don’t know where to help? Whom to help? How to help?

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Praying for a good luck!






Pictures ( which has white roof) are of the ruined village school building, which is to be rebuilt as soon as possible as children have nowhere to study except this building.These are the pictures of the poorest village of the poorest part of the remote district (According Poverty Alleviation Fund), which has been destroyed by the recent landslide. The school was newly made. Two rooms were finished before 2 days of the landslide but after 2 days it was destroyed. The houses are of the village houses that lost 10 people within few minutes at a same night. The disaster at the midnight swept everything. Those who survived are praying for a good luck. Good luck means no rain, if there is heavy rain again; there is possibility of the landslide again. The life and future of the school is very dark. We can see water coming from under the school. This is not the miracle but the symbol of dark future of the school and village. Let’s hope nothing wrong will happen to these poorest people.

Looking for support





These pictures are taken not to show any cultural variances but to provide some support to these poor people who lost their family during the disaster. The old lady is of 60 now and the girl is her granddaughter who is now 14. Except these two members, others were killed by the recent landslide. Neither the old lady nor the young girl can handle the family. It seems hard for them to manage food and clothing for them. They need support at least for upcoming few years then the girl will be strong enough to look after herself and her grandmother. The girl doesn’t go to school so is illiterate. The help could be food and clothing.
Another picture is of a family where 6 children are staying with their mother. Their father died three years ago and has very little land, which is destroyed by the landslide. The biggest child is 12 and the youngest is 2. Six children are born within 10 years and the lady is struggling to feed them. The mother and son refused the offer of educational sponsorship for the biggest boy, saying the boy is to look after household work and his brothers and sisters. One boy goes to school and hopefully others also will be joining primary school from next year. The lady has deep interest on educating her children but has economic problem. Living a widow life in traditional village is itself a challenging and still she has the challenge to feed and educate 6 children. She needs help. The potential help could be food, clothing and sponsorship of the kids’ education.

Monday, August 07, 2006

Farewell !!! what a tragedy!!











the pictures are of the greatest tragedies of human life. Why to these poor people? and why they killed? The nature creates and destroys!! the great tragedy!!
In one of the picture, people are wrapping the dead body by the rope. People wearing red shirts are maoist and wearing combat dress are army.

Team work (?)


In this picture, the people we see are from different aspects. some of them are from Maoist and some of them are from Govt. Police and maoist armies are working together I think for the first time. No revenge, no fight but cooperation and support. What a great scene!!
The tragic landslide made them compell to rescue because they are the human like us just with different philosophy. I wish Nepalese people could see this coordination forever to give up voilence.
NAMASTE!!

Sunday, August 06, 2006

Destructive landslide!!!!


I am just arrived from the village. I was there after 3 days of the disaster, We were the first to distribute the victims anything... That means even Red cross and Govt. body went there with nothing. maoist and the army together helped people to rescue and people from other villages also helped but still 6 bodies are missing. We distributed 85 set of readymade clothes, and other organisation and govt. provided some money but I think they need food. If there is heavy rain again, I don't think 75 family will survive but rescuing them is really a hard task even for the Govt. I took the responsibiity of the education of the family of victims and that's our primary responsibility. But I will be trying to get more help for them. We need at least 50000 Nepalese rupees that would be about 750 US $. I think that would cover the cost of 30 kgs rice for 75 families. I think this will be the best idea. Yes and clothes, we need about 60 kgs. of clothes or about 800 pcs of clothes so everyone will have cloth and food. I think this will be far better than the help from Red cross and the government. I would like to request to all people who read this email, please let's cut half the price of lunch and dinner for few days and send to us, that won't make you die but would save the life of several people. I went there and interviewed with the victims relatives and took their pictures.. we must do something. I know Govt and red cross are now away from their responsibility. This is our major work area. I am talking to chief district officer and police head of the district. I met the head of maoist from the district, he knows me ( don't know how?) and said that they will be ready cope with us and won't be interfering. That is good. I worked whole day with police, govt. officials and with maoist. Now the political situation has been changed but the nature is being aggressive towards us. The illage people have their own food for upto 3 or 4 month a year and this year they have lost that too. I think we should try to provide them food for about 2 month. The monsoon will be finished by that time and people will start to look for another alternative, but before that they have nothing to support themselves. One lady of 60 has lost her son, his wife and another two member including her husband. She has only granddaughter left who is just 14. how they will survive? I am sure noone has the right and complete answer. I met another women who has got 6 kids and all of them are below 12. 12 year boy is the head of the family since in rural village male is the head. He is trying to do whatever his father used to do before he died ( household work and responsibility of the brothers and sisters). His mum thinks she won't have anyone to help her if she send her son to school. The son doesn't listen these things, he thinks he has got a lot of responsibilities to look after his family. I think this is one of too few situation that has made me too upset. I reached the village after crossing three huge and destructive landslides on the way. I couldn't see into thrie eyes because their eyes ask for help and I am afraid if I am not able to help them. They have expectation from every single visitor in the village. They want to survive and the most tragic moment was one when everyone went away giving them 5 kg of rice and some fast food to eat on the way. only 9 family got the tent and rice. 66 family got nothing wheras they have equall risk. I have got some positive response from few people. Please lets do something. Our joint efoort will save them and will bring a new days of happyness after the tragic disaster.