OLCY Nepal Earthquake Relief
Outdoor Leadership Camp for Youth (OLCY) is organizing several volunteers to help with relief efforts in Nepal. OLCY Founder Jackie Chan traveled extensively through Nepal two months ago meeting some wonderful people along the way. He became friends with several families who invited him into their homes showing him true Nepalese hospitality.
One of Jackie’s new friends is Paul Gurung, an experienced guide and the founder of Discovery World Trekking. He lives in a small village with his family and two-month-old daughter. Jackie was able to get a hold of Paul on the evening of May 1st. Paul was grateful to be alive but said that all 150 homes in his village were destroyed, leaving some dead and others wounded with all remaining inhabitants exposed to the elements.
Jackie had also spent two weeks with a man named Ratna, a local guide, whose family welcomed him and his friend Brendan as their Nepalese brothers. Ratna lives with his wife in the countryside while his daughter's family lives in Kathmandu. They all survived the earthquake with only minor injuries (his wife has a broken hand) but all of the livestock used to feed their family has been killed. With their home damaged and their primary source of food gone, they are in great need of assistance.
Jackie has spoken directly to the Indian Red Cross and various individuals and organizations in Delhi. The main problem is that there has been difficulty getting many of the supplies destined for Nepal to their designated areas. Even still, most of the aid is going to Kathmandu with little or no support to the surrounding villages, such as Paul’s and Ratna's.
Both villages are in dire need of supplies as the monsoons quickly approach. Basic necessities such as clean water, sufficient food and proper shelter are becoming a problem.
Our plan is to provide aid to both families and their communities. As you can imagine, the logistics of getting into Nepal will be a challenge, and to be honest, we are playing a lot of it by ear when it comes to travel arrangements. OLCY General Manager Gary Hayes was previously scheduled to meet Jackie in India on May 7 to work on OLCY development, but now he and Jackie see a greater need for the trip. Gary has begun gathering basic medical supplies, tents for temporary shelter, tarps, sleeping mats and water sanitation supplies to bring to Nepal. The families and communities will also need financial support to survive the elements and to begin rebuilding their lives.
Gary will be bringing supplies from Canada to India to meet Jackie and we will update you from there on our progress.
We're taking action and need your help. We will tell you our story and show you the difference you made by supporting us. Thank you.
Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated.
“When seen through the lens of a servant's heart, leadership becomes not just a job but a calling. Lives are changed for the better. Next-generation leaders are molded. Along the way, the sense of destiny planted in each individual soul finds fulfillment.”
― James M. Kouzes
