Because of family and ministry connections with Nepal I want to pass on to you what my sister, the Rev. Barbara Novak, a deacon of the Diocese of Spokane, is doing in response to the earthquakes. My sister Barbara’s deaconal ministry has been through Far East Handicrafts, a fair trade import business from Southeast Asia, mainly Nepal, a business started by her late son, Steve Novak. Over the last 25 years Barb has made numerous trips to Nepal, and started a foundation in her son’s memory that, among other service projects, has mainly supported a school in one of those remote mountain villages just outside the Kathmandu valley. The work that the foundation has down in that village has been transformative, with the expansion of two new earthquake resistant buildings for the school and the first toilets in the village. Since it began the work has expanded to education for mothers who came to Barb and asked for classes for them too, because they we seeing the results for their daughters being able to get more education. The village survived Maoist insurgents and now has more diverse home industries. Barbara has also been active with the Joy Foundation, working with a Kathmandu eye doctor providing cataract surgery for people living high in the Himalayas where cataracts are a greater problem.
Because we know many handicraft people in Nepal, my sister has direct contacts and knows how to get money and help to trustworthy people on the ground in Kathmandu. She has already been able to talk with her main contact in Kathmandu who has survived the earthquakes, but whose home has been damaged forcing him and his family to sleep out in the open. I am passing on the announcement she has written for St. John’s Cathedral where she serves as deacon and the Diocese of Spokane. St. John’s is already supporting her efforts. Barb had already been planning her next trip to Nepal for October, and now that will be a trip to use all funds raised for rebuilding efforts.
One of the outcomes of meditation practice is greater compassion for those in need which leads to a spiritually based response and ministry in the world. Please read this article and consider this as one option in responding to the humanitarian crisis.
Thank you.
Beverly Hosea
NEPAL EARTHQUAKE DISASTER
As many of you know, Far East Handicrafts has been importing many handcrafted items and Buddhist and Hindu ritual items from Nepal for over 25 years. Since 1998 the Stephen R Novak Foundation has been partnering with Tula Shakya and Himalayan Lotus Crafts to sponsor the Shree Mahankal Primary School in a hill tribe village southeast of Kathmandu and outside of the Kathmandu Valley. We have also partnered with Joy Foundation Nepal to provide free eye care and cataract surgery for remote hill tribe villagers. The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Kathmandu on April 24th has devastated Nepal. As of this writing I have heard from Tula. He and his family are OK and, with the rest of the population of Kathmandu, are sleeping outside, afraid to go back to their damaged or destroyed homes. I thank God that Tula and family are OK! He has no information on the condition of the school or the village as of yet. We are communicating daily. I have not heard from the Joy Foundation or any of our partners and friends in that organization. I can only hope and pray that they are out doing what they do best: organizing relief and rescue operations.
This earthquake has been predicted and expected for years. Each time I am in Nepal and register with the US Embassy, their concern has been that I know what to do if “The Earthquake” happens while I am there. The best news is that the airport has been able to remain open which makes rescue efforts from the rest of the world so much easier.
I wish I was there to help. But what I can do is make a plea for monetary donations to the Stephen R Novak Foundation. As always, 100% of all donations will go to rescue efforts in Nepal. All donations are tax deductible because of our 501(c)3 status. When I know what the status of our school is I will have a better idea of what will be needed there. Donations can be sent to St. John’s Cathedral and marked for the Stephen R Novak Foundation, or sent directly to me at: 1822 E 34th Ave. Spokane, WA 99203
Thank you for your help.
The Rev. Barbara Novak, Deacon, St. John's Cathedral, Episcopal Diocese of Spokane
