Namaste to all our Friends & Supporters,
All of us at Umbrella Australia send our best wishes that you are well and that you are being cared for during this difficult time. We would also like to pass on our heartfelt thanks to the many of you who continue to support us and the vulnerable communities in Nepal with whom we work.
Outside the cities, Nepal remains isolated from any services that we in Australia have available to us such as home delivery, skilled and qualified health care workers, a government that will provide unemployment payments and financial assistance for individuals and families. Nepalis have none of this. The only place that is safe for them is being home with their families.
The bulk of food supplies, propane, medicines in Nepal rely on India to transport goods, but the border is closed so even the most basic supplies are not arriving. The Nepali Rupee is losing its value and again the poor and children become very vulnerable to trafficking and abuse. The government is trying to keep people off the streets and in-home quarantine. Many Nepalis are desperate and need to go out for food, but without a pass they will be arrested and beaten. Unlike Australia there is no health care infrastructure to speak of so there is no way to prepare for this calamity.
At this time we are asking for your help!
If you have a few dollars to spare, please support our appeal to get food and essentials to people in need. 100% of your tax deductible donation will purchase food and save lives to the most vulnerable groups.
Go to:
umbrellaaustralia.org
click on
DONATE
Food Supplies for workers in the Brick Kiln Factories
In the last week we have sent emergency funds through our partners at Global Fairness Initiative to Nepal and get vital food supplies to families living in isolation in brick kiln factories. Many of the workers are not able to return to their communities and do not have access to food and essential items due to the countries lock down.
Whilst lockdown has supported the control and spread of disease it has adversely affected the day to day life of poor and marginalized including brick kiln workers. Our partners coordinated with both the local governments for distribution of rations.
These included:
1.Rice 330kg
2.Lentils 37kg
3.Salt 17packets
4.Cooking oil 22litre
5.Spices22packets
6.Potato 95kg
7.Soya bean 22kg
8.Biscuits 204packets
These supplies will feed 86 workers and 32 children for the next week.....we still have along way to go in helping other groups. We would very much appreciate your support to purchase further supplies.
A special thank you to the Youth Club Narayangarh (YCN), Chitwan for implementing the distribution.
Further distributions will be made to other kiln factories over the next few weeks.....please help us continue to get vital supplies to these vulnerable groups. Namaste
Letter from our partner in Nepal
Global Fairness Initiative
"Its been almost 4 weeks that the country is in the locked down situation. Mostly all brick kiln factories had suspended their operations since from the beginning of the locked down and still are supporting workers for their food and other essential supplies. Due to growing uncertainty of how long it goes and food supply obstruction, many workers opted to go back to their homes and kiln/partners facilitated their departure. The small number staying at kilns are facing challenge to ensure their food as these kiln owners have also indicated cash crunch. Partners have also been coordinating with local governments to secure ration support for the workers and children which is also not happening as local governments are not keeping this particular group in their priority. So we have been asked for the food assistance support as a last resort and we also assessed the situation and the request is found genuine. GFI/N is working with partners and kiln owners for figuring out the volume of support and the means of support as well in the locked down context".
Mr Suresh Pandit
Nepal Country Director,
Global Fairness Initiative
Wrappers
2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
1 tbsp oil (optional)
1 tsp salt
1 cup lukewarm water
Sift flour and salt together in a bowl. Mix with water and oil until the dough is firm but not stiff. Knead for at least 7 minutes. Form dough into a ball. Cover with clear plastic wrap and let it stand for more than 1 hour. Alternatively, wonton wrapper skins may be used.
Filling
500 grams finely minced chicken
4 shallots (scallions) finely chopped
1 tbsp. fresh ginger, crushed
1 1/2 tsp garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
1/2 cup of fresh coriander
2 green chillies, seeded and finely chopped
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tbsp. oil (optional; add only if you want dumplings juicy)
1/2 cup of water
Combine all ingredients, mixing thoroughly. Cut the dough into small pieces. Roll each piece out as thin as you can on a floured board. Place 1 tablespoon of filling in the centre of each wrapper. Gather up the sides into little pleats to cover the filling. Bring water to a boil in a steamer. Place momos on the steamer rack and steam for 5 to 7 minutes. Serve with Tomato and coriander chutney.
Tomato and Coriander Chutney(Golbheda Ra Dhania Ko Achar)
500 g tomatoes
1 cup fresh coriander, chopped
juice of 1/2 lemon
salt/pepper to taste
1/2 inch fresh ginger, chopped
4 cloves of chopped garlic
1 tsp ground red chilli pepper
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
Wash and bake tomatoes in a moderate oven for 30 minutes, or until they look cooked and the skins turn dark. Blend baked tomatoes in a blender together with coriander, lemon juice, salt, pepper, ginger and chilli pepper. Then serve.......ENJOY!
Lest We Forget
Last Saturday 25th April is a date that is instilled on every Australian & New Zealander as the day we commemorate the landing in 1915 on the shores of Gallipoli and pay our respects to the many service men & women who have given their lives for our country.
The 25th April is also a day when in 2015, Nepal was struck by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. The first of hundreds of aftershocks and then another 7.3 magnitude earthquake rocking the country on the 12 May.
The combined death toll was 8,891, with over 22,000 people injured. The earthquake and aftershocks destroyed more than 605,000 homes and damaged a further 288,000, leaving hundreds of thousands of families homeless.
Many communities in Nepal are still waiting to rebuild their homes and lives. Umbrella Australia have been now working on the rebuild of Shree Bhimsen Secondary School in Sindhupalchowk, one of the worst affected areas. We have almost completed the school and with further support from our donors we hope to complete the rebuild next year.
If you wish to become part of our school community go to: umbrellaaustralia.org
LIMITED GROUP SIZE OF 10 PEOPLE
Click on umbrellaaustralia.org for the full itinerary
If you are interested please contact us & we will add you to the list!
At this stage we are only taking names with NO financial commitment due to the COVID19 virus.
Deposits will be required after the Nepal & Australian government agencies have confirmed it is safe to travel (your health & safety is our priority).
If we have learnt something from 2020 it is that life is precious and unpredictable, so lets make the best of it and live for today….celebrate the end of 2020 with a lifetime experience in Nepal.
Dive into Nepal’s eclectic culture and astounding natural beauty on this 12 day discovery of Nepal.
In the Kathmandu Valley, admire masterpieces of Newar architecture, explore an elegant hillside temple overrun with monkeys and stand under the towering Boudhanath Stupa, listening to the chants of Buddhist pilgrims.
Lunch beside the Sunkoshi River and visit The Umbrella Foundation Australia’s school project on a day trip to Sindhupalchowk.
Relax at your spa resort in the beautiful lakeside city of Pokhara and embark on an elephant safari in the world heritage Chitwan National park before flying back to Kathmandu.
Our Discovery itinerary explores a destination in depth, with carefully selected experiences, and ample free time for relaxation, shopping and exploring the many wonders of Nepal.
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