April 22, 2016 
Is April earthquake weather? I didn't think so, but the recent quakes in Ecuador and Japan may have us all wondering about it. The devastating quake that hit Nepal was one year ago, on April 25, 2015.
Nine thousand people were killed.
Another 22,000 were injured. Almost 1,000,000 family homes were rendered uninhabitable. 52,000 classrooms were destroyed.
Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF), a GG recommended charity that has worked in Nepal since 1990, has assisted nearly 94,000 people in the aftermath.
 A good example of that help is the three fun-filled boys you see here, Bikram, Suman and Bishal, brothers who are 10, 9, and 5 years old. They lost their mother in the April 25th quake when the roof of their home fell on her, killing her instantly. The boys were on the verge of being trafficked out of the country when police referred them to NYF. They now reside at J House, NYF's home for boys, and attend an excellent school in Kathmandu.
But the other piece of the story is the blockade.
Just when Nepal needed products from the outside world more than ever - like building supplies and gasoline - a 5-month blockade commenced at the Nepal-Indian border which prevented these essential items from entering. The result: for 5 months rebuilding was at a standstill. Unless you paid the extortionist prices of the black market, projects could not go forward.
Happily, the blockade finally ended in early February and Nepal can move ahead with recovery.
This is our chance to step up with some effective help. NYF can use our funds in so many ways but two that seem especially relevant are: - Rebuilding classrooms. NYF has committed to rebuild 250 school rooms, about 70 of which are finished to date. Each schoolroom costs between $3500 and $4000.
- Kinship care. Many children have been left without parents from the earthquake. These children have extended families that can take them in, but the families cannot afford another mouth to feed so NYF supports the child in the home of the relative, with food, education, medical care, and counseling. NYF has committed to provide support to 1000 such children through the 12th grade at a cost of $350 per year, or a total of $4500 through the 12th grade. Click here for a news video on NYF and the recovery.
On Saturday, May 21 at 9:30 we will be walking to support NYF. Olga Murray, 90-year old founder of NYF, will be there to see us off!! This third Walk the Walk in the San Francisco Bay Area follows the Tennessee Valley trail to the Pacific, commencing in Mill Valley. These walks are good for all ages, and lots of fun. No dogs on this trail, though - but bikes and scooters are fine. Please click here for more information on the walk, to register for the walk, and to make a donation to NYF. If you live outside the San Francisco Bay Area or can't make the walk, we hope you will donate to NYF in any case. Please click on the button below and select the Nepal Youth Foundation when prompted. We are grateful for the courage, energy, and thoughtfulness of the Nepal Youth Foundation, and for the opportunity to support them! Sincerely,
Diana McDonough
President
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