First I would like to thank all the donors to Himalayan Family Healthcare Project. Your gift will be used to reduce some of the pain and suffering of the women, children and men of Nepal. We will try to maximize the potential of every penny donated to HFHP. As the clock ticks, this disaster is gradually changing from rescue and extraction of the injuried and trapped to one of support of the survivors. There is a great need for food, sanitation and potable water. The potential for the development of serious diseases associated with such disasters is around the corner. You can continue helping in these efforts by asking your friends to donate to organizations which are providing relief to Nepal.
I started going on mission trips in 1995. One of the frequent questions I get before leaving on a trip or after returning is “Why are you doing this?”.
Over the years I have given many answers. Some are short. Some emotional. Some are way too long! Most people who inquire are usually pleased with my answer but, sometimes the person asking the question just cannot understand why I would leave the United States and travel for many hours or days by plane to get somewhere I still need to travel several days to get to the people in whose life I am trying to make a difference. Usually that person gets my special answer that speaks to them,
” I go for the beer! There is nothing better popping the top of a beer, cooled in a river flowing right from the glacier!!”
Today I would like to answer that question using pictures instead of words. These are pictures of the current situation in Nepal. They speak the 1,000 words held in my heart of why I do what I do.
Photo 1. Making small food bags for distribution to survivors.
Tarp shelters
Photo 2. Temp tarp shelters.
Thanks for listening. Nepal needs your help.
Rick Bowen, MD, PhD