Why I Support #WeHelpNepal
Throughout my years as a student and researcher in anthropology I have encountered the development industry in its glories and its darker sides. I am committed to culturally engaged, sensitive and local-led relief provision and approaches that recognise that sustainable infrastructure is the most important and valuable long-term solutions for the Nepali people going forward.
The international aid industry is so often guilty of providing 'bare necessities' without considering that bare necessities are culturally variable. Religious, cultural and sentimental needs are just as important as food and water. It is also often so tempting, especially when aid is provided across such a great geographical distance, to be driven to provide the impressive: new buildings, new vehicles, new community centres - but what about the smaller things? How are these being built? Are they going to stand the test of time? Are there books, desks and benches in these shining new schools? Are there pots in this canteen?
I have consistently re-engaged Nepali individuals with the fundraising process, collaborating with London-based Nepali poets and weaving their work, and the work of their classic writers, into concert programmes for the British public to understand something more about the beautiful Nepali culture and Nepali people. Do check out the winning composition of the Song For Nepal concert, "The Nepali Good Life" by Alan Edgar, via the SongforNepal website.
The first two concerts have raised only £375 after overheads... Many emails came in from both concerts requesting a link to donate. So please, here's your chance to donate generously to the cause. Hopefully I will be putting the overheads back in the fund very soon, and sending as much as we can to continue to help Nepal in meaningful, sensitive ways.
Thank you.
Donate on behalf of Anita Datta→
Anita Datta has recruited 2 supporters!
| Latest Signups | Email List | Donated | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Murray | $0.00 |
ABOUT OUR CAMPAIGN
We are not a traditional disaster relief organization.
We Help Nepal is network of artists, business owners, doctors, teachers and development workers who have lived or are currently living in Nepal. We are united by our mutual connection to Nepal and our commitment to alternative development models.
Our expertise comes from our awareness of the Nepali social and political landscape, and our connections to local organizations that are beneath the international radar.
The recent earthquake was a natural disaster intensified by the man-made forces of rapid development, poverty, and conflict driven displacement. This fund will support immediate earthquake relief and rebuilding efforts rooted in a philosophy of relief to self-reliance, disaster to sustainable development.
We recognize that in this tragedy there are seeds of hope that will sprout from the rubble.
View Latest updates
Goals
- Raise funds for earthquake recovery based on mutual trust, financial transparency, and full accountability.
- Use our decades of experience in Nepal to empower grassroots relief organizations that build long-term networks of self-reliance.
- Support local organizations doing community-level work that have the capacity to lead disaster relief and recovery efforts.
Our Projects and Partnerships
Criteria for supporting projects:
- Locally-led and staffed
- Corruption-free – money supports need, not greed
- Build capacity at the community level
- Support long-term resilience and autonomy
- Committed to social justice and sustainability
View Current Projects & Partnerships
Who we are
Finance, Communications, and Project Coordination:
Lilia Villa, Christine Kolisch, Craig Lovell, Bodhi Garrett, Forrest Grant, Greg Voelm, Nat Needham, Amanda Needham, Christopher Gish, Lucy Draper-Clarke, Manohari Upadhyaya, Anniina Rantala, Nicole Lemmo, Monica D’Onofrio
On the Ground Project Leaders:
Keshab & Sushma Regmi, Kesang Sherpa, Anne McGuinness, Mitchell Silver, Kishor Lohani, Dr. Kiran Awasthi, Jenny Adhikari, Pawel Skawinski, Neelam Pradhananga, Sandesh Poudel, Naina Rawal, Som Lama, Raghunath Neupane and Krishna Basnet
