Author: World Neighbours Canada

Bruce Petch and Dale Dodge, directors with World Neighbours Canada attended the recent BCCIC Leadership Award Ceremony for Suresh Shrestha, coordinator of Tamakoshi Sewa Samiti (TSS), and World Neighbours’ Canada partner in Nepal. Vera Radyo, chairperson of BCCIC and Mike Simpson, executive director of BCCIC presented the award. We, at WNC, are very happy to see Suresh recognized for his many years of involvement in the projects in Nepal.

Suresh will be speaking at a number of locations in Western Canada over the coming week, including Oliver and Kamloops. Suresh will be sharing information about the water projects in Ramechhap, the effects of the earthquake and the political situation in Nepal. Details of the Oliver meeting ( September 23 ) have already been published and information about Suresh’ Kamloops engagement will be on the website later today.

Nepal’s World Neighbours Canada’s partner Suresh Shrestha, coordinator of TSS (Tamakoshi Sewa Samiti), will be coming to Oliver to speak on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.

The talk will be an update of the latest project, a preview of the new DFATD project, a review of the earthquake and the TSS response, and an update of the political situation in Nepal.

Where: Upstairs foyer of the Catholic Church
6044 Spartan Street
Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m.

No charge, cookies and fair trade coffee by donation.

World Neighbours Canada is pleased to announce that one of our parters, Tamakoshi Service Society (TSS), has been named by the BC Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC) as the 2015 recipient of the International Award of Leadership.

Read more about the award here: http://bccic.ca/bccic-international-award-leadership-goes-world-neighbours-canada-partner

Suresh Shreshta sent the following update yesterday about the distribution of relief material, along with several photos to illustrate the way the relief materials are being distributed.

“This is just quick information that yesterday on June 03, 2015, TSS has distributed the following relief materials per family to 164 Dalit families, so-called untouchable lower caste people of Ramechhap, under the relief fund of WN Canada. This is now on-ongoing mainly focusing to Dalits. I have attached some photographs herewith. We would like to thank WN Canada and all the supporters for making this possible for the earthquake victims. TSS has transported all the relief materials to the nearest road-head of the community. Thank you.”            

These materials include: a 30 kg. rice packet, 2 kg. of lentil. 1 liter of cooking oil and 1 packet of salt.

 Suresh has also explained that hopefully some of the donation monies will be used to repair damage to the water systems that occurred as a result of the earthquake:

“…. we are also getting information from some communities, regarding the damages of water structures, particularly intake which was built close to water source. Once our technicians are free, they will make field visit and collect the data of damages.”

 

 

 

 

posted by Judy Gray; with information from Suresh Shrestha

The following information has been provided by Suresh, coordinator of TSS (Tamakoshi Sewa Samiti) to explain how the Nepal Earthquake Relief money sent by WNC will be used. In his proposal, Suresh provides details about the distribution process as well as describing the emotional effects of the earthquake. A few excerpts have been highlighted, along with a couple of pictures; the entire proposal is also available at the end of this article.

Suresh writes: “It will be not possible to provide relief support to all victim families of Ramechhap, as it needed huge money even for a small support for all. … TSS wants to support those families who are economically poor & socially drowntodden. Under this criteria, it is also assessed that who have less access of relief support, full destruction of houses and severe damages of houses.”

“The basic relief support required for the victims are mainly the tarpaulin sheet for shelter and rice for eating. … TSS will provide its relief support in two ways – (1) the tarpaulin to those families who still greatly need it and (2) a set of food stuff (rice 30 kg pack) per family. Such kind of support will not be enough for the victims. However, we can share our helping hands. TSS will directly distribute the relief support to the selected victim families.”

 ” People are now suffering with post-traumatic terror. Due to the possibility of another great earthquake, people are again staying in open space under the temporary tents. Due to such terror, we are also treating general patients and the victims in open compound of our hospital building.”

“It is also expected of another natural disaster (flood & landslide) in coming monsoon, as many public houses have been badly hit by two big earthquakes. There is also great possibility of (disease) outbreak due to damages of houses, open cleaning, washing & defecation. Many domestic toilets have been also damaged due to two powerful earthquakes.” Continue reading “Needs of Ramechhap villagers: your $$$ at work”

posted by Judy Gray; with information from Nav Gill

During the month between April 25 and May 25, the Sikh Community of Oliver organized a Ladies Fundraising Tea, shared information at the temple about the devastation of homes and the need for tarpaulins and basic food supplies ( bags of rice) and organized several volunteers to participate in door-to-door canvassing in Oliver, Keremeos, Cawston and Osoyoos.

As a result of their efforts, $17 000 was raised and handed over to World Neighbours Canada to send to TSS to help with immediate survival needs.

The directors at WNC extend a huge thank you to all those who participated in any way with the fundraising work. The willingness to devote time to activities that will support the people of Ramechhap is greatly appreciated!

by Bruce Petch, president of WNC     posted by Judy Gray

It has been one month since the first earthquake hit Nepal, and the date for donations that will be matched by the Canadian government has now passed. We at World Neighbours Canada are thrilled with the response from donors and very happy to be able to send $45 500 to TSS, our partner organization in Ramechhap. The $45 000 will be matched by the Canadian government and through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFATD) that same amount will be sent to Nepal to be used for needed Earthquake Relief efforts.

When Suresh Shreshta (coordinator of TSS) asked for help, at WNC’s request he submitted a proposal for $25 000 to help with the purchase of tarpaulins and rice. Here is part of his proposal:  “The basic relief support required for the victims are mainly the tarpaulin sheet for shelter and rice for eating. On the basis of above criteria, TSS will provide its relief support in two ways – (1) the tarpaulin to those families who still greatly need it and (2) a set of food stuff (rice 30 kg pack) per family. Such kind of support will not be enough for the victims. However, we can share our helping hands. TSS will directly distribute the relief support to the selected victim families.”                           “With $25,000, 100 tarps can be purchased and 1500 X 30 kg. bags of rice.”

Continue reading “WNC donations matched by the Canadian Government”

by Dale Dodge, WNC Director
(Appeared as letter-to-the-editor, local media)

World Neighbours Canada (WNC) is a small Non Government Organization (NGO) based in Oliver since 1989. We do basic village development work in Central America, in West Africa and in Nepal. The area we work with in Nepal is called the district of Ramechhap, and has long been one of the poorest districts of Nepal.

Continue reading “Over $45,000 donated through WNC for Nepal”