Mr. Jyoti Vaidya is the outgoing Chief Election Commissioner and Life Member of the Non-Resident Nepali Association of Canada (NRN-Canada). Alongside the Cross Cultural Learner Centre (CCLC) and NRN-Canada, he has launched the Mahendra Lila Higher School Project in Gorkha, Nepal. Mr.Vaidya was born in Nepal, and moved to Canada in 1998, with his wife and three-year old son. He tells Verea about how the idea came about and shares his realization from his most recent trip to Nepal. They’re all set to begin the project in October, 2015.
1. What urged you to take on this initiative?
“As soon as I heard about the earthquake in Nepal, I was determined to take action towards relief measures. I was quick to get in touch with the Director of CCLC, Mr. Valy Marochko to brainstorm ideas about what we can do to help. With much work needed to repair the entire country, I understood the importance of our effort’s longevity. About 23 years ago, I was actively involved in a Nepalese Youth Group, called Lyayamha Pucha, where we rebuilt a school that fell victim to a major flood. That’s how we came about the idea of revolving our project around rebuilding a school. We knew it would be a long, tough project. But as soon as we came down to the idea, we got in touch with the President of NRN Canada, and started working towards making it happen.”
2. Coordinating rebuilding activities across the globe is no joke. How did you go about the launch of the project?
“We left for Nepal on May 12, 2015 with the mandate to identify a school for the project. We based our decision on five key success factors:
Accessibility and Transportation : We had to locate an area that was accessible by students, workers and our team.
Land : We identified a geologically safe area, and managed to gain the support of local villagers.
Academic Standing : MHLS’s academic average stood at 85% prior to the earthquake, which was more than 35% higher than Nepal’s national average.
Accessibility to Safe Drinking Water : Remote locations, especially on hilltops have limited accessibility to drinking water. This lowers the overall standard of the school and makes the construction process much more difficult.
Public Participation : It is important that the local community feels ownership of the project, and is involved in the decision making. The villagers have shown their commitment to volunteer in the rebuilding process of the school, which is really exciting.
MHLS met all these five conditions. There is a need of this school building. More than 500 children study in that school. Some students walk more than 1.5 hours to reach the school. We returned to Canada on June 9th, 2015 to finalize our project proposal and finally launched the project on June 15th.”
3. Have you received support from anywhere else? Financial or social?
“Rebuilding the school will require $58 000. So far, we’ve hosted fundraising events and concerts to move closer to our target. Thankfully, we’ve been recipients of generous donations from multiple London-based organizations. Within a month, we’ve achieved 16% of our target with accumulated donations of $10,000. I am so thankful that Verea has also come forward to join hands in this cause. We are working on partnering with other organizations as well. NRN-Canada and CCLC are actively involved in fundraising. I am confident that you will hear very good news within a month.”
4. What has been your biggest challenge?
“Fundraising is a challenge to begin with. You need to first find time, and then monetary donations. Persistency is key. Understanding the importance of numbers is also crucial. If we ask people to donate $2, and get the attention of 1,000 people in doing so, that’s $2000 right there. There are so many ways people can help us out. By talking about the initiative, sharing it with their family and friends, our goal will seem closer than ever”
5. What has been your biggest learning thus far?
"My philosophy, when it comes to fundraising, is that every donation is worth more than just the monetary value. It encourages and motivates the team behind the project. Understanding our community’s support and being motivated by it will keep bringing us closer to our goal.”
The Fiorio Beauty Academy Juniors attended the annual Spring fair at Maurice Cody Jr. Public School. Our students had an amazing time at the fair just this passed weekend, May 30th, as they helped to raise money by giving people buzzcuts to raise funds for Nepal relief efforts.
Ms. Seigner joined in on the action and got her head shaved in support of Nepal. The students also had the pleasure of providing fun, funky and stylish hair styles for all that attended!
A large open field near the center of Kathmandu has turned into a tent city as people search for shelter and a safe place to be. This is just a quick 12 second iPhone clip that doesn't show the true size of this tent city and others that are growing. The rainy season is about to hit Nepal and these tents and tarps are going to be put to the test for the next couple of months and make living conditions extremely difficult. Please continue seek out ways to help Nepal as now the long term building process needs to be deeply thought about and planned...A full length video and report from Nepal coming in a few days to help you get a deeper look and understanding of the conditions in Nepal. Just because it's not headline news anymore doesn't mean it doesn't matter. Doesn't mean people stopped needing our help. #Nepal #NepalRelief #Earthquake #juatw #JoinUsAroundtheWorld #LetsGoSeeitTogether
Jamberry Makes Large Donation to UNICEF for #NepalRelief
Jamberry Makes Large Donation to UNICEF for #NepalRelief
So proud to be part of a Company that sees a need and jumps into action. In four days, Jamberry was able to raise a considerable amount of money for the earthquake relief efforts in Nepal, not to mention how many Consultants contributed their commissions on top of this amount! #ThankfulThursday
While these wraps are no longer available, please consider doing something to contribute to the…
Relief material sent from Bangalore has already been successfully distributed by SEBS Nepal! We are very proud of our partner organisation for working day and night to ensure that help reaches the ones in need. Situation on the ground after the second major quake on the 12th has not allowed us to obtain photographs of the distribution. We will upload them as soon as everything stabilises. Stay strong, Nepal!
Hi everyone, in case you haven’t heard (I haven’t seen much on my fb or dash,) but there has been a second devastating earthquake that has hit Nepal after the initial 7.8 quake that hit. If you haven’t already, PLEASE consider donating. Donating is not only assisting in the preservation of a rich, beautiful, centuries old culture that is completely unique to Nepal, but it helps the families and individuals to recover and receive the basics to survive. Think of the ‘you’ who lives across the world, open your heart to them and give a little. Do not forget about Nepal during this time.
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Here are some great places to donate!
MercyCorps has launched the Nepal Earthquake Response fund to help provide food, water and temporary shelter in the aftermath of this disaster. Donate here: http://tinyurl.com/mdlmsfl
Operation USA is undertaking recovery efforts in Nepal, providing essential supplies for those affected and hospitals in need. You can help their efforts by donating online or by texting AID to 50555 to donate $10. Donate here: http://tinyurl.com/l2o9v2l
Oxfam International is working to help provide clean water, sanitation and emergency food for those affected by this disaster. Donate via Oxfam America here: http://tinyurl.com/mtf2dzb.
Global giving is a really quick, legitimate and direct way to get donations to Nepal and doesn’t ding off a percentage or move through a middleman. I personally donated to this organization! http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/nepal-earthquake-relief-fund/
