UPDATE: We did it! Over $10,000 raised for Pramila, her children + her farm-to-be! We are so thankful for our wonderful community of generous folks. We are so thrilled that we get to be a part of this high-impact fundraiser. And we are so, so, so in awe of the continued connections and momentum that continues to extend from our travels. More reason to keep going when we can!
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We'll cut right to the chase. We're in the final days of a fundraiser for our dear friend, Pramila - and her children, in Nepal. As of writing time, we are at $5700 and hoping to reach closer to $10,000! HOLY CROW!
First of all: Many many thanks to those that have already donated.
For those short on reading time:
http://www.youcaring.com/pramila-parajuli-364747
For those who enjoy a little context:
As you know, we're in the middle of a busy summer - building a tinyhouse ain't no joke. Currently, Eli's finishing up a grad certificate in NYC as well. Phew! We consider ourselves lucky to be able to take on such tasks -- and we have had a lot of reflection regarding what it means to have and create one's own place in the world.
As you also know, at the beginning of the summer, Nepal was dealt quite a blow with multiple earthquakes -- the gorgeous monuments we were so lucky to slowly wander through and around are gone, the small villages we walked amidst destroyed, and the friends we made are left managing the aftermath.
Luckily, our friend Pramila and her two children (Dipika and Dependra) were unhurt -- but they did lose their home. They were living in a greenhouse + now a tin structure, as it is monsoon season. Since Pramila is a force to be reckoned with, she is taking this devastation as the ultimate opportunity. She not only wants to rebuild, but she wants the build to encompass her big vision -- fully establishing a larger organic farm on her land, along with a training center for disadvantaged women and children. This is not new work for her -- we stayed on her small farm in Chitwan and learned heaps. There we also met a friend she had helped keep from being trafficked across the Indian border. This is a strong woman with a stellar and attainable goal.
The temporary structure, post earthquakes. Originally the greenhouse for the farm.
We teamed up with others who stayed with her and her family to raise the most money possible for to see this through. The amount is lofty, but she gets any and all funds raised. It goes to the farm development, house builds, establishing a future for projects and security for the farm - not to mention allows Pramila the ultimate freedom of self-sustainability.
Any and every small bit helps -- and sharing this is also a part of that! We ultimately hope to return to Nargakot, where the farm will be established, and spend more time there - helping farm and share resources and experiences. If you donate, you are also welcome to do the same free of charge - offered straight from Pramila!
Here's where to go: http://www.youcaring.com/pramila-parajuli-364747
For delving further into the WonderWander adventures and experiences in Chitwan with Pramila and family: http://www.wonderwander.org/wonderwander/?tag=Chitwan
Our favorite word to say in Nepalese. Especially when Pramila says it.