A new endeavor

In case anyone is still reading this, I am part of a new initiative called Hearts and Hands for Nepal. Our main goal is to help rebuild Nepal.
I know - LOFTY, right?

But totally doable! We have a secret weapon - the people of Nepal.

Lucky for us, Terah used to live there and has some pretty cool connections. The problem that happens during times like these is that first - people try to help in all the wrong ways too soon. This is a great article referencing this very issue

:http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/apr/27/earthquake-nepal-dont-rush-help-volunteers-aid

Despite wanting to go help RIGHT. NOW. It is not very mindful.

The key is to be mindful. So, with the help of people in Nepal, who are also working with some of the big charities and also know the smaller issues we are able to fill a very tiny sector of need.

Our first goal is to help rebuild a school in a little village outside of Kathmandu. Now, this plan might change because perhaps there is something more needful. We will totally keep all of our followers (whether you donate or not!) informed.

Why not just volunteer with the big charities or send my money to them? Well...that is complicated. First off, I looked into many. Some I will publicly endorse as being the genuine article and some I will not. Mostly though, I was able to look at the big picture and see that there would be holes in the service rendered. Right now, Kathmandu (the major populace) will receive a large portion of help, but the smaller outlining towns generally will not. After the big rush of aid things will slow down and it is there - right in that place - that I personally feel needs some help and it is someplace I can step in and help. This will give us time to get organized so that we are not a liability or in someone's way when we do go. We can land on the ground with a plan and fully prepared for what might lie ahead. With other charities I just don't know if things will work that way...I have loads of questions for them that I feel like they probably would not be able to answer...but I can answer them all for myself because I am the one helping to make the decisions. So, I found myself with a friend who had the same concerns starting an initiative. One of my greatest desires though was to donate my time and efforts, not just my money. I can plan this out and actually do it.

This is a journey though. Like me, people are skeptical. At this point we have gotten an email, chosen a name, started a blog and a facebook page...but there is still so much work to get this up and running. If you know anyone that would like to help us set up an incorporated charity and a 501c3, do send me a shout. I'm looking at all of the steps right now, which seem nearly impossible from Germany. So, it may have to wait awhile until I return to the states. With that being said - we just wanted to start. This is our project. You can go along the journey with us just to see what we might be able to accomplish or you can help by donating. A dollar goes a long way in Nepal. So, please don't think that your spare change isn't enough. Start collecting it and we can arrange to get it from you. It might be enough to build a window frame! You never know.

I come from a line of builders. My grandfather was a contractor and built houses, I grew up with a hammer in my hand. My husband is an engineer. We will not go to Nepal without a proper plan in place that will be sound and 'nepali' approved. We are not looking to change their culture, so please don't expect a cathedral..we will build what they are accustomed to. I can do this kind of work - I have the background. I am willing to do this kind of work, I just need supplies and to locate a village who might not otherwise get their schoolhouse built before the cold winter hits.

Please stop by heartsandhandsfornepal.blogspot.com and see what is going on. Right now we have a teensy bit of information up and we are working on solidifying plans and getting more details. As we go along with the planning process there will continual updates and ideas. We are always open to thoughts. Feel free to email us at heartsandhandsfornepal@gmail.com if you have suggestions, want to volunteer a skill we might need or have question.

Amber