Thanks so much to those who have already donated, your support is much appreciated at this difficult time. It is time to update you all on how we are doing and how the situation is developing in Nepal. It is awfully easy for us being many miles away to disregard news that is more than a week old. However, for these individuals this has become their life. No one should have to live in the conditions that these people are living in during the aftermath of this disaster. We will continue to raise funds and help to rehabilitate communities through supporting sustainable projects – 10% of all purchases made on the 2016 Haute Couture & Ameya flower girl collections will be donated to aid relief also.

 As you are aware, Saturday 25^th April was a life-changing day for the people of Nepal – the day a truly terrifying earthquake with a huge magnitude of 7.8 shook through the country, ensuring what was to be the worst natural disaster to strike since 1934.  The death toll horrifyingly hit over 7000 with expected injuries reaching up to a shocking 23,000.  It is a desperate time for the Nepalese people who have found themselves in a state of disrepair with international aid only reaching areas which are well known, and whilst these individuals need help, it means that individuals living within the smaller Nepalese villages are left with very little. At such a vulnerable time, it is important that aid is direct.  With further support and donations and the help of social organisation ‘Tusli Mehar Ashram’, aid will reach 30 vulnerable families who are desperate for survival and have been left with next to nothing in the villages of Khokana, Patan and Bhaktapur. Over the past month, Sanyukta Shrestha has aided in sending tarpaulin for 15 families and 750 kilos of rice directly to these villages. However, this is just the beginning. There is still much more we can do.

With monsoon season fast approaching, the people of Nepal are looking to survive through some of the harshest weather conditions with a lack of appropriate shelter. This in itself can have further tragic effects. Since the major earthquake, what has not been communicated thoroughly in the media – is that there have been over 200 further aftershocks reaching up to a magnitude of 5.6. With every aftershock, the people of Nepal are in dire risk of losing what little they have left.  We have reached the time of year when tarpaulin is definitely not the best solution for shelter.  What the people of Nepal need, at the very least, is appropriate heavy-duty shelter – a place where they can finally feel safe. Clean water, sanitation, hygiene kits, blankets, basic food and baby kits are also needed desperately in the rural areas and smaller villages that have been somewhat disregarded until now

Temporary shelter for a family of five costs between £150 and £200, Rice and other basic rations of food that can feed a whole family of 5 for 2 weeks costs just £50. One hand spinner, which would instil faith in the people who reside in these Nepalese villages and enable them to regain their livelihood, costs just £20 per set. A handloom – essential in ensuring the passionate and hardworking women of these small villages can quickly make a recovery and continue working costs £200 – overall an extremely small price to pay for a community’s livelihood and the continuation of a traditional workforce.

Broken handlooms after Earthquake

We cannot let these people suffer alone. The people who reside in these small villages are extremely determined and dedicated to gaining their lives back. With our help and support, they will be able to build up a prosperous life for themselves again. In the aftermath of this awful natural disaster, all many individuals have left is hope; and this hope is slowly dwindling as the aid does not reach them all. They feel neglected, stranded and distraught at the prospect of being unable to live as they once did. The harsh reality is that people are now left with little to nothing. This worsens the situation and becomes a terrifying ordeal for many families to attempt to cope with amongst all that has already happened.

If we all come together, we can do something really great and create a huge difference to these people. It starts with us.
We are working closely with local NGO Tulsi Mehar Ashram (Fair-trade social organization) to provide aid directly to those families most vulnerable at present.

Donations are open at www.gofundme.com/ameyatrust – this aid will help families directly who are in desperate need of shelter, food and rehabilitation of the community.