Thursday, April 30, 2015

Nepal Earthquake Hits Close to Home

Nepal Earthquake Hits Close to Home.  It may be odd to hear me say that being that I am thousands of miles away from Nepal.  But the earthquake truly has hit close to home...because Ma and Daddy-dog were (are?) scheduled to go to Nepal in late October-early November with Habitat for Humanity.

Oz the Terrier visits a Habitat for Humanity construction site
Throwback Thursday:  Me, 10 years ago, visiting the Habitat for Humanity construction site

Many of you know that Ma and Daddy-dog volunteer with our local Habitat affiliate on a regular basis.  And you know they also participate annually with Habitat for Humanity International during the Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter Work Project (CWP).   They are Skilled Leaders here at home and internationally - they teach other volunteers the tasks to build the homes.  This year's CWP was going to be in Pokhara, Nepal.

As with most natural disasters when they initially happen, people and organizations are stepping in to help with short-term needs.  Ma has read numerous news stories, blog posts and articles about the relief efforts, what and where to donate your money, what countries have pledged money and how much to Nepal, etc.  We hope it will be enough to help the people of Nepal get their feet back under them after this tragedy.

But what then?  In the long-term recovery, there will be a lot of rebuilding that will need to be done.  I don't know how the people of Nepal could ever rebuild some of their most ancient and sacred places that have been ruined by the earthquake.  Some of those places were on Ma and Daddy-dog's Nepal itinerary of Must-See places.  So sad.

Many in Nepal will have to rebuild their homes as well and we know that Habitat for Humanity International and their affiliate in Nepal will be there to help build safe, sustainable, decent and affordable homes for those in need.  And hopefully, so will my Ma and Daddy-dog!

Building with HFH Thailand after the tsunami

Ma and Daddy-dog are no strangers to building after a disaster.  They have built with Habitat for Humanity in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina, in Thailand after the tsunami, and went to Haiti two years in a row after the devastating earthquake of 2010.  They are hoping that the CWP will not be canceled this year so they can go help Habitat for Humanity Nepal build safe, sustainable and affordable homes to help strengthen the Nepal community.

In Haiti after the earthquake - 2011

Ma, Daddy-dog and I are keeping the people of Nepal in our thoughts and prayers.  We hope you are too.   

Building in Haiti after the earthquake - 2012

Ma doesn't want to really let this out of the bag but...This CWP was very special for Ma and Daddy-dog.  It falls the week after their 10th wedding anniversary so they were planning on celebrating this milestone in Nepal with the many friends (who are more like family) they have met through Habitat (including President & Mrs. Carter...yeah, right...though they have both met the Carters). 

Ma has a Habitat for Humanity CWP fundraising page that she started but never advertised because she didn't want to bother anyone.  As a professional fundraiser, she knows everyone has their causes they give to and she didn't want to ask for additional green papers.  However, in light of this disaster, I am sharing Ma's Habitat for Humanity Carter Work Project 2015 Nepal fundraising page HERE

Also, if you are interested, we are sharing a little information about Habitat for Humanity below just in case you would like to support their Disaster Response efforts in Nepal and/or the rebuilding efforts that will be lead by the Nepal affiliate. 

About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity's vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live.  Their mission is to put God's love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.  With more than 1,400 local affiliates in the United States and more than 70 national organizations around the world, together Habitat affiliates have helped more than 1 million families - representing 5 million people - improve their living conditions since its founding in 1976.

Habitat for Humanity homes, wherever they are built, are simple, decent and affordable to qualifying low-income families.  Families must have a need for safe, decent housing; be willing to partner with Habitat and invest hours of "sweat equity" into the construction of homes; and be able to pay back a zero-interest mortgage based on their individual income.

For more information on Habitat for Humanity, click here.

Habitat for Humanity Nepal
Habitat started working in Nepal in 1997 with various community level organizations in 35 districts.  The result is a cost-effective and environmental-friendly housing program delivered through partnerships with non-government organizations, microfinance institutions, and village lending and savings groups.  Together with its partners, HFH Nepal builds 2.3 houses per hour.

To donate to Habitat for Humanity's Disaster Response in Nepal, click here.

To donate to Habitat for Humanity Nepal's rebuilding efforts, click here.  (Be sure to "designate" your funds to Nepal by clicking the small box on the lower left sidebar and following the instructions to select "Nepal".)


29 comments:

  1. Your mom and dad dog are doing a pawsome job in helping build the community!

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  2. Hey there Oz! Thanks fur stopping by to visit me. That is so pawsome what your Ma and Daddy-dog do! I bet they make lots of people happy.

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  3. That's grreat of your pawrents to help out! I know their help will be even more needed than before.

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  4. Hey Oz!
    Wow, your peeps are so very special and generous! We love what HFH does for the world.
    Grr and Woof,
    Sarge, Police Commish

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  5. Thanks to your pawrents for all the work they do for HFH. We hope they get to go to Nepal and help out those in need.

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  6. Kudos to you guys! How rewarding
    Lily & Edward

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  7. you, your ma and your daddy-dog make this world to a better place... with your own paws. Chapeau and BRAVO! We donated for the people of Nepal and we cross our paws and we are sad for the people who lost their life... I was sad about the reporting... the focus was on celebrities and the people who live there where just a footnote in many news... not fair...
    easy rider

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  8. I think Nepal could use Ma and Daddy-Dog's help more now than ever. I hope their trip is not canceled either! Your parents are certainly an inspiration for helping others! I know Habit and your parents can make a difference helping those in Nepal.
    -Jessica from Beagles & Bargains

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  9. you folks are just pawsome !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you to both of them for taking the time to help others in need.

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  10. Your parents are just wonderful.....we are blessed to have them in the world.
    stella rose

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  11. Your Mom and Daddy Dog are wonderful peeps!
    hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel & mabel

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  12. We've been watching the horrible news. Such devastation. Hopefully, the faults will calm down now to there can be rebuilding. It's wonderful that your pawrents can help so many people. Our cousin worked with Habitat.

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  13. I had heard about this :( so sad! Your mom and dad are wonderful people Oz! Truly!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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  14. OZ..... your Ma and Daddy Dog are the mostest GIVING of the Giving... They are a TRUE INSPIRATION for all of us here in Blogville. We are SO SO SO very MUCH PROUD of the work that they Have and WILL do fur Habitat For HUMANITY... It brings TEARS to OUR EYES to know that there a peeps out there that are SO DEDICATED and LOVING...
    We join YOU in hoping that their journey is NOT cancelled... those folks Do and Will NEED the help to make their Lives Whole again...
    You have the Bestest Pawrents in the UNIVERSE.
    We are Praying fur the people and pets in Napal... and Crossing your Paws fur your Pawrents to be there to lend their Paws...

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  15. Good for your parents. What will you do when they are gone? Hope you have a fun place to vacation!

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  16. Well....with all the damage over there....maybe it would be best to go soon to get the rebuilding done proper like...those poor people sure need all the help they can get!

    The Mad Scots

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  17. You have pawesome peeps.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  18. I think that is so awesome. Giving of your time to help people have homes is a wonderful thing.

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  19. Wow, you've got some pawsome peeps!

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  20. Your Pawrents are really special and amazing peeps Oz!
    I nose I'm a bit late but I've just done my wearing orange post Oz, as promised
    Love and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  21. I had no idea that your mom and dad were involved in Habitat for Humanity! This is amazing that they have been so involved in efforts around the world! Your parents rock, Oz! We will definitely visit your mom's fundraising page soon and make a donation - though probably not until later next week.

    Also, pretty cool that your parents met President Carter. Keep up the great work!

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  22. What an incredible post. I had no idea you did this. In fact I didn't know HFH was international. Thank you for your dedication to a true humanitarian mission. I noticed this morning that our media seems to be moving on to new issues already, but Nepal will need help for a long time to come.

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  23. That is a wonderful thing your mom and dad do to help peoples in disaster areas! We had no idea they did this stuffs either! You are a good influence on them!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  24. Your mom and dad are absolutely amazing! I am floored by their generosity and skills. I sure hope that they can go help in Nepal this autumn - a perfect 10th anniversary celebration. And, I'm so jealous that they've met President Carter - I admire that man to an incredible extent.

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  25. Thank you to your mom and dad for what they do! I can't believe they were planning on going to Nepels and it had a earthquake, they will really need their help now and what they do will make a big difference in the peoples lives. Bless you!

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  26. Your Mom and Daddy-dog are absolutely amazing and caring people. Thank them for all they do! Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Nepal.

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  27. The earthquake was terrible. They will have a big job rebuilding. Good for you for helping.

    The company that designed my blog's theme is located in Katmandu. They were off line for quite a while but it looks like they are back to offering support. That was quicker than I thought they would be able to do it and I am not sure how they managed it.

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  28. We have been thinking of those poor people over there and all they are going through, it is so sad. Your Mom and Daddy-dog are such wonderful people to work with Habitat for Humanity helping so many people in need.
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving a pawprint. I enjoy reading each and every one!
Cairn cuddles,
Oz the Terrier