Sheffield — Going about our business in the calm, disaster-free Berkshires, it’s hard for us to relate to the magnitude of the disaster that has just hit Nepal.
Relief organizations are having trouble sending in workers and supplies because the airport is only intermittently operational and many roads are impassible.
But there are two organizations with roots right here in the Berkshires that already have boots on the ground in Nepal and are up and running, hard at work with crucial relief efforts.
For those who would like their donation to have a direct effect rather than be swallowed up in one of the giant relief funds, please consider donating to these two local organizations:
- Empower Generation, started by Anya Cherneff, the daughter of Sheffield residents Peter Cherneff and Hester Velmans, is a Nepal-based non-profit organization that distributes solar lights and mobile chargers to underserved communities by training village women to become solar light entrepreneurs and sales people. Since the earthquake struck on Saturday EG’s team has begun emptying its warehouse to get EMERGENCY LIGHTING into hospitals, emergency health clinics, and rescue efforts as rapidly as possible. Empower Generation’s office in Kathmandu has become a solar-powered charging station so that residents and relief workers can recharge cell phones and other crucial equipment in order to maintain vital communications.
- Hands In Outreach is a small non-profit program for poor girls in Kathmandu founded and run by Ricky Bernstein, also of Sheffield. Ricky says: “Life is ALREADY very difficult for our 145 girls and their families. The unexpected earthquake has just added another traumatizing challenge to their lives. We are in a position to offer DIRECT RELIEF to those families who need help.” HIO had purchased 100 solar lights from Empower Generation, which were distributed to the sponsored families in December. “A small solace knowing our girls at least have the benefit of light through the long nights staying mostly outdoors.”
One hundred percent of your contribution will be used for relief aid once each family’s needs are evaluated. To donate, simply go to https://www.handsinoutreach.org/donate.html, and click on the yellow DONATE button in the Earthquake Relief notice. Kindly put earthquake in as a message. Call Ricky Bernstein – 413-229-7993 — if you need assistance. - Anya Cherneff described the scene in a recent phone call: “Kathmandu is in chaos. The aftershocks are powerful and continuous and people are living in the streets because they are afraid to go back into their houses, even if there has been no damage. Some of the major charitable organizations are calling us, asking if we can help because they are not yet here and are not set up. Our people have been working around the clock and we are doing all we can, but the task is enormous.” Ricky Bernstein agrees: “Ironically, we are in a unique position to help, since we have people already there. Any help we receive will go directly to the people most in need.” Your donations will help by:
- Directly covering the cost of lamps donated to those working in hospitals, search and rescues, various relief efforts, and all of those left without power during this time, and
- Ensuring in the coming weeks and months that EG’s network of women entrepreneurs will have the resources necessary to rebuild their livelihoods and those of their community by distributing clean, easily deployed and resilient energy services.
To donate join in the relief effort of these two organizations, simply go to www.empowergeneration.org/earthquakerelief/ and click on the DONATE button. For more information, contact info@empowergeneration.org.
