Nepal Earthquake: A Canadian writes from Nepal

Hello Everyone,

First off, I am well.  I am safe at the Hotel Yak and Yeti.  I just got finished with a visit to the SOS Children’s Villages in Jorparti, not too far from Katmandu.  What can I say, amid all the tragedy and all the chaos, life does go on….. what wonderful people and what wonderful children.

It’s odd, but at first glance, especially to the untrained eye, it appears there is a building here and building there that collapsed because of the earthquake. 

However, now that I have been here a few days after the earthquake, I’ve learned to see and to understand better what I am actually seeing.  In short, there is widespread damage and death.  Schools have been demolished by the earthquake on Saturday.  

There are no schools in session for the children but literally, there are no schools to go to!!

There are so many stories I’ve heard and all are heart breaking.  I learned about one school master and a teacher killed at one school.  I also met a man who said family is safe but said his nephew was killed instantly.  It is hard to explain the trauma that people experience after the earthquake.  So many many many people and families have been affected by the earthquake. 

I am now one of thousands of people, working very hard to make arrangements to get out of Kathmandu and fly to another international airport hub. I am blessed that I have the resources of a travel agent and travel insurance to help me get out.  Nepal needs aid and trained relief workers to help them start again.  That is why I and so may thousands are leaving Nepal, to get out of the way of professional aid relief.

So much is happening, I am thankful that everyone in my party is safe.   

Regards,

Scott