UNCERTAINTY
We have been very busy as you can imagine. The second quake was a real game changer. If Nepal was traumatized and chaotic after the first one, it is reeling from the second one and bathed in insecurity.
Everyone continues to live almost exclusively outside. This includes many of our sponsored kids. Since many are preparing for the long haul, through the monsoon, sturdy shelter is vital..plus mosquito nets. We are providing these where needed. We just had a call from the Mom of one of our kids asking for help to buy a tarpaulin.
Many many others have left Kathmandu to go to their respective villages. Will these people return eventually? No one knows.
Many of our kids have gone out of Kathmandu, their families desperate to keep them safe. Will they come back to school? Will schools reopen? so many unanswerable questions. Everything depends on if the quakes stop. I read yesterday that there have been 227 substantial aftershocks! Everyone's nerves are shot.
Uncertainty is the standard. People are deeply scared. Communications continue to be disrupted. We are still just trying to contact every child. It’s been impossible so far. Phones are dead or switched off. We can't reach many of the kid’s families. Its really challenging (try and try and try) and it’s worrying.
Once school resumes (if and when) we have No idea which kids will return or likely, if they don't , whether that’s temporary or final..??? So, how to plan? We can't. It’s very much a wait and see situation. For all of Nepal. For us.
Meanwhile we have been gathering information on new children who will need help. Conditions have gone from bad to desperate for many people already living on the margins. We will put some of these children into boarding so they can be safe and cared for. There are also many kids who have tragically lost some or all family members. They need a safe place to stay and to try to heal.
We continue to be on the ground helping everywhere we can. I am in touch morning and evening with Tejendra and school administrators for lengthy confabs and brainstorming. Many kids message me via Facebook because they can do it on their phone..no need for internet. They are scared. They want reassurance and a caring cyber hug. Thank g-d for Facebook messaging! It’s been an absolute godsend.
Our schools need many major repairs. Families are going to need help rebuilding their homes. The poor have no extra resources to replace all they have lost. And we will be supporting many new kids in need. But right now, patience and presence.
Keep us in your prayers. This is going to be a very long term healing and rebuilding.