Help Rebuild Nepal: A Lovely Country in Ruins

Photos taken at the same place, before and after the deadly earthquake struck.
Photo on the right courtesy of Krishna Sadan Awal

Hearing news about the deadly earthquake which recently hit Nepal broke my heart.  I couldn't believe it at first.  I was in that beautiful country two weeks before the catastrophe happened.    

Pictures and memories of all the amazing places I've seen, the lovely people I've met, and friends that I made flooded my mind.  I was worried about my friends. I hoped and prayed that they were not placed in harm's way. 

I scoured the internet for news about the disaster. I was hungry for information, hoping against hope that the destruction was not massive.  Unfortunately, as I scrolled photos posted on twitter and other social media and news organization sites, it dawned on me that the beautiful country that now occupies a special place in my heart is now lying in ruins and rubble. On the day the earthquake happened, death toll easily reached the three thousand mark, many more were injured.  Many people have gone missing.  My heart wept and bled.  

I started hearing from my friends a few days after the earthquake. I would breathe a sigh of relief and gratitude whenever a friend would mark him/herself safe in the earthquake safety check app.  I was so glad to get messages or calls from my Nepalese friends.  As they gave assurances of their safety and expressed their gratitude that nobody in their immediate family died, they also shared heartbreaking scenes of the tragedy that befell their home country.  I felt the somberness that enveloped them.  I also sensed despair.  

It certainly would take quiet a while before the lives of the Nepalese even have a semblance of normalcy.   They would need our help to rebuild their country and restart their lives.  Let's help them recover.  

There are many ways to help.  You may support and send donations to established international aid, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief organizations which are directly helping Nepal, like UNICEF, Save the Children,  The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Catholic Relief Services, etc.  You may also help efforts initiated by Nepalese who have organized their own fund-raising campaigns and rebuilding projects, such as Help Rebuild Homes in Bhaktapur.  Crowdfunding campaigns, such as the one for the residents of Kaminani, Tekhacho Tole, Ward 16, Bhaktapur, Nepal have also been set up at Indiegogo.com. 


Sending you happy thoughts...

Images of Kathmandu

The vibrant and bustling city of Kathmandu is your gateway to the beautiful country of Nepal.  I'm grateful to have visited the country's capital two weeks before the 7.9 magnitude earthquale left a great part of the city and nearby areas in ruins.   It is truly heartbreaking to know that some of the structures captured in the photos below are now gone forever. The heritage sites once visited for their grandeur and historical, cultural, and religious values have now been turned into graveyards.

  

  

 

 

  

 

It's certainly a very sad time for the Nepalese people. My heart goes out to my friends and to everyone affected by the catastrophe.

Sending you happy thoughts...

Nepal in My Mind

Kathmandu Durbar Square

My thoughts and prayers go to the people of Nepal.

I have very wonderful memories of this beautiful country. It's sad to know that a lot of lives were lost and a lot of people were injured because of the 7.9 magnitude earthquake. A lot of heritage sites have also been reduced to rubble. 

It would take quite a while before the lives of the Nepalese have even a semblance of normalcy.  Aside from including them in our prayers, let's find concrete ways to help them rebuild their country. 

Whang Od at Grace: Ang mga Mambabatok ng Buscalan, Kalinga

The art and tradition of "pambabatok " continues in the village of Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga Province. Ninety-six year old Apo Whang Od carries on the Butbut Tribe's tradition of inking skin using the hand-tapping method.

With Whang Od's advanced age, the said traditional art is in danger of being lost forever. Fortunately, she had passed on the skill to her 18-year old grandniece, Grace, who took a strong interest in the art of tattooing as early as the age of ten.

Two weeks ago, I have had the privilege of witnessing two generations of mambabatoks working side by side, and in one instance, as can be seen in this video, continuing the work of the other. It was indeed a wonderful sight to behold, the old and new generation, bound by blood, tradition, and culture, keeping the art of tribal tattooing alive.

And yes, I journeyed to Buscalan to have the honor of getting a batok from a living treasure, a heroine of her tribe in her own right. I am humbled and honored to have a piece of the Kalinga culture, history, and tradition woven into my skin. Not only does my batok showcase our proud Philippine heritage, it also carries a deeper, special meaning for me.

Sending you happy thoughts...

Project Lakbay Aral Goes to Museo Pambata

A total of 47* indigent kids/students from Delpan, Tondo, Manila enjoyed their field trip to the Museo Pambata last November 29, 2014 .  The young ones excitedly traveled back in time to learn about Philippine history, traditions, and culture. 

They had a grand time journeying inside the human body through a tunnel maze and gained a deeper understanding of how our bodies work. They were also oriented on the importance of maintaining a balanced and healthy diet.

The children also learned about the pressing issues concerning the environment, especially climate change, and likewise got acquainted with the creatures of the sea and the rainforest. They also got a refresher on their lessons on their rights as children and were given an opportunity to see how the other parts of the world look like through a visit to the global village.

The kids were also encouraged to visualize themselves doing a particular career through role playing. They also took a trip down history and got inspired by the heroism of the brave Filipino freedom fighters.

After the tour, a special program and bonding session with the outreach activity donors and volunteers was held. The kids were treated to delicious snacks and were given loot bags containing school supplies, hygiene products, and goodies.

 

    

Much, much thanks to our donors, sponsors, and volunteers! Your generosity is simply amazing! 

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*The intended number of kid-beneficiaries is fifty (50). Unfortunately, for one reason or another, 3 kids were not able to join the study tour. Funds allotted for their entrance fees were used to sponsor the entrance fees of two Delpan community leaders and two VIDES social workers/volunteers. :)

Sending you happy thoughts...