Himalayan Life Responds to COVID-19
Dear Friends of Himalayan Life,
I trust this finds you well and COVID-19 free. These are challenging days for all of us, and I hope that you are finding encouragement in pressing into relationships virtually. We would love to hear from you and connect with you.
In light of the current crisis, here is a short report for your kind consideration and prayer. In a bid to forestall the spread of COVID-19, Nepal has been under full lockdown since Monday, March 23rd. Stores and businesses are closed, and people are confined to their homes. Many areas have police patrols to enforce the curfew.
Himalayan Life is adapting to these quickly changing conditions and lockdown. We are providing training and ongoing daily support for all of our leaders to ensure best practices and preparation in light of an anticipated COVID-19 marathon scenario.
While some of our programs are on hold due to the lockdown and isolation protocol, we continue to offer a baseline of programs in our children’s homes and shelter in an isolated community context. Forty street children are currently hunkered down at the Himalayan Life shelter in Pokhara, under the care of our staff. Construction work for the expansion of the Yangri Academic Centre (Phase Three) is ongoing, while the construction crews are self-isolating on the school premises. See our Stories of Life 02 video that shows the latest developments here.
Nepal has no employment insurance or financial safety net. We are continuing to support our staff and families, thereby supporting over 1,000 people on a daily basis for their food and basic needs through this crisis. We are also preparing for the coming tidal wave of social need and extreme poverty in Nepal that will be the economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis.
Please consider supporting us through this time of crisis. Your one-time gift or monthly commitment will make it possible for us to continue providing basic programs for children in need and vulnerable families, as well as supporting our staff.
Thank you for standing with those whom Himalayan Life serves at this time, even as we hope and pray that Nepal would not experience the worst of COVID-19. The health care system can’t handle even a modest outbreak. We also think of our staff as they prepare for a new future reality in Nepal that will see a rise in urban poverty, increased homelessness, and more kids on the streets.
We are grateful for you and appreciate all that you are doing through this time. Please stay safe. Peace to you and your families.
With gratitude,
Daniel Burgi
