Tri-Lakes resident relocates to Nepal to help nation rebuild ...
Hello Tri-Lakes neighbors and friends . . . from Nepal!
Yes, I do miss the Palmer Lake area, where I've made my home for almost three years . . . hiking to the reservoirs, cooking burgers and watching games at O'Malley's. And, rockin' live music on the weekends at the Speedtrap.
And I miss my friends in Monument and the Colorado Springs area, where I've lived for over 10 years now. It's truly one of the most beautiful places in the world to live, work and play.
But, right now, I'm also thrilled to be living and lending a hand in Nepal, based in Kathmandu!
In April 2015, a catastrophic 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck in Nepal. Over 8,000 people perished, and more than 700,000 people were displaced, when their homes and villages were destroyed. Centuries-old historical buildings and structures went down. There were high-magnitude aftershocks, avalanches and landslides in the weeks that followed, creating more casualties and devastation.
I have college friends (from the time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth), who have been in Nepal for almost 30 years. I had hinted at visiting many times. After the quakes, there was no longer a question about timing. Nepal suddenly had a great need for help and I felt moved to respond.
So, here I am. It's been a heart-expanding adventure.
About the service trip …
"I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that? Then I realized I was somebody." -Lily TomlinI am currently involved with the ongoing efforts of Five14Nepal [http://five14nepal.com], working directly with the Nepalese people, in the areas of development, education, income generation, and construction-rebuilding-ongoing relief efforts. We are helping families in the most vulnerable rural areas and mountain villages to see improved lives and futures.
I arrived in Nepal on Oct. 2, 2015, and my goal is to work here until the spring, perhaps as late as May. I have been supported by a crowdfunding project, in collaboration with Five14Nepal and by business clients who have graciously allowed me to continue to serve them remotely, while I’m here working here in Nepal on this helping mission.
I believe it’s very important to see the world and different cultures, and not just in times of disaster. Travel enables us to open our minds to new things and we get to experience life in exciting different ways broadening our perspectives about other cultures and ways of life. And, it reveals just how much we as humans, are all also the same as we share living on this planet.
While I'm here in Nepal, I would like to share my experiences with you including milestones and triumphs, cultural observations both fun and somewhat goofy, food adventures, exotic places I have visited including a trek in the magnificent Himalayas, riding an elephant and seeing a rhino up close and personal.
I hope in the coming weeks you will come along on this journey with me, just a regular guy from the Tri-Lakes having the adventure of a life-time.