Music by Ethnic Melodies of Nepal Excerpts from Sue Hamblin's diaries Sept/Oct '15
On the 25th April '15 a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal followed by another 7.2 magnitude on 12th May '15. Nearly 9000 people were killed, and 22,310 injured.
UNICEF estimates 1.7 million children were affected in the worst-hit districts and hundreds of thousands made homeless.
The Nestling Trust was able to give immediate humanitarian aid as Sue Hamblin was in Nepal at the time.
After three months in the UK fundraising, Sue returned to Nepal.
BBC Wiltshire Radio asked Sue to write a weekly diary during her visit. She was to record how things were 4 months on - how the Nepali people were coming to terms with what had happened, what changes had taken place, the thoughts and reactions of those she met, and what her own thoughts and feelings were returning again to Nepal where she had been caught up in such destruction.
UNICEF estimates 1.7 million children were affected in the worst-hit districts and hundreds of thousands made homeless.
The Nestling Trust was able to give immediate humanitarian aid as Sue Hamblin was in Nepal at the time.
After three months in the UK fundraising, Sue returned to Nepal.
BBC Wiltshire Radio asked Sue to write a weekly diary during her visit. She was to record how things were 4 months on - how the Nepali people were coming to terms with what had happened, what changes had taken place, the thoughts and reactions of those she met, and what her own thoughts and feelings were returning again to Nepal where she had been caught up in such destruction.
Listen to Week 1 - Part A
 | "It was always my intention to return as soon as possible and finally on 21st September ’15 after weeks of talks and events I was back at Heathrow airport, surrounded by boxes containing medical supplies, equipment and children’s clothes, kindly donated by pharmacies, shops, companies and local people of Wiltshire. All were loaded into the cargo bay, courtesy of Etihad, destination - Nepal." * Thoughts returning. * Arrival * First impressions. * Reunion * Effect on children's lives.. |
| Sunrise over Sarangkot | |
Listen to Week 1 - Part B
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Listen to Week 2 - Part A
 | The second week of my visit to Nepal I travelled northeast, to Marbu in the Dolakha region. The purpose of our journey was to meet the villagers and the District Health Officer, to discuss how the Nestling Trust could support the building of a new health clinic, since the original clinic was in ruins following the earthquakes. * Journey to Marbu, Dolakha, Northeast Nepal * Effects of earthquakes on the villages enroute. * People whose homes were near the highway. * Marbu village and ruined clinic. * People in the remote village of Marbu. |
Listen to Week 2 - Part B
 | * The home of Krishna's grandfather in Marbu * Plans to build a new clinic * Villager's response |
Listen to Week 3 - Part A
| * This is the third week of my visit to Nepal. Since the earthquake the Charity has been undertaking humanitarian relief work, now four months on it is looking at longer term projects to provide help and support where it is most needed. My task will be ensuring funds raised by the Nestling Trust are being used in the most appropriate and effective way. 37 regions in Nepal were badly affected by the earthquake. As well as the appalling loss of life, thousands of families lost their homes. Thousands have been living in makeshift accommodation – tents or corrugated iron shacks with very poor sanitation. The monsoon season compounded the situation leaving people vulnerable to infections and disease. With many health posts destroyed there is a vital need for health camps to be set up in these outlying areas to provide basic health care for pregnant women, children and those who are sick.
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Listen to Week 3 - Part B
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Listen to Week 4 - Part A
| The fourth week of my visit to Nepal I returned to Kathmandu. The fuel crisis is causing untold hardship to Nepali people and the economy trying to recover from the effects of the earthquake. Many children are suffering post trauma anxiety made worse by continuing after shocks. Effects of the fuel crisis caused us to change our itinary and we arranged an activity day for children of two very poor schools in Chitlang. Any form of travel is becoming a challenge within Nepal but we are able to reach Pokhara, the closest town to Sarangkot where the Nestling Trust is building a home for destitute children. Here we would need to resubmit building plans to the Municipality in accordance with government post earthquake regulations. Seeing Pokhara bereft of tourists, and the impact this is having is worrying. Finally back in Kathmandu, I visit four children I first met in 2011, a meeting which changed their lives and mine.
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Listen to Week 4 - Part B
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Rhiannon Fitz-Gerald
Broadcast Journalist
Producer – Jonathan Morrell’s Morning Show – Weekdays (9-12)
BBC Wiltshire
B Broadcasting House, 56-58 Prospect Place, Swindon, Wiltshire. SN1 3RW.
B Newsroom: 01793 513 652 / Direct: 01793 440 130
Broadcast Journalist
Producer – Jonathan Morrell’s Morning Show – Weekdays (9-12)
BBC Wiltshire
B Broadcasting House, 56-58 Prospect Place, Swindon, Wiltshire. SN1 3RW.
B Newsroom: 01793 513 652 / Direct: 01793 440 130
