Some of the villages are very remote and vehicle access is not possible throughout the year
Many families literally subsist from day to day and a small amount of aid goes a long way
These young girls are carrying over 25 kilos of stones for building work
It was late in 2019 that a small group of Eagles Wings volunteers made a preliminary visit to Nepal by invitation from a community group working amongst the Tribal peoples of the Himalayas. They took footballs, volleyballs, volleyball nets, clothing, football kit and an English literacy course, and were able to visit a number of remote groups living in the mountains near to Chitwan.
It was quickly clear that a small amount of assistance would be used well and could impact the lives of the children particularly for lasting good.
They were able to see a simple water power project which was hand built and used to grind local crops and visit three schools. They met the teachers and took some basic lessons on health and hygiene and English literacy, with the inevitable volley ball and football thrown in.
There is an ongoing risk in the mountains of flooding, with the sudden rush of water downhill causing landslides, and lurking in the background is the threat of earthquakes. The landslide risk is always at its peak during the monsoon season in July. Already in 2020 a number of lives have been lost.
One of the difficulties is access using the dangerous mountain roads. Our long term desire would be to have our own 4 x 4 pick up which would also serve to take building and construction materials up the mountain and also to have rescue and emergency packs available to help in a time of crisis. With a planned local base in Chitwan itself this would put our partners in a strong position to respond quickly with relevant relief on the ground and ready to go.
Our partners are looking to build small community centres at strategic locations in the mountains which would act as centres for mobile health clinics, adult literacy, vocational skills and for emergency shelter. It would be our desire to help them do exactly that.
Schools in the mountains are ill-equipped and overcrowded
In the months of March, April and May 2020, Eagles Wings was able to send money over to support families and the elderly and most vulnerable with 5 kilo food packs which were distributed by hand in Kathmandu and by motorbike towards the border with Tibet.
Village life is very basic
It is hoped that we can encourage more volunteers to visit this stunning country and take a part in the humanitarian relief towards these vulnerable people groups who need our support.
