Suffering is not a Story

As we wrote earlier, two friends with whom our community shared the experience of the three-month study program in Nepal earlier this year are now in Ladakh, helping with the relief effort. Those affected in these photos are part of the Tibetan refugee community that had relocated to the harsh and unforgiving climate of Ladakh, and are once again rendered homeless by the terrible mudslides earlier this monsoon season. Here is some of what they have managed to do:

- Provide food for the whole tent camp for homeless people in Choglamsar (250-300 people) for one month and guarantee to provide a second month!
Cost: 140,000 Rupees (2380 Euros)

- Help 11 families who lost everything: providing warm blankets, a stove, kitchen basics and RS 2000 for clothes per family
Cost: 66,000 Rupees (1120 Euro)

Their efforts to raise and distribute funds have borne real fruits already, but there is a great deal more to be done before the mountain passes that encircle Ladakh are closed by the snows that begin there in early autumn. those below would welcome your prayers and well wishes. If you would also like to contribute materially, you can do so here.

Nike-Ann writes: Winter is coming soon and will bring very cold weather up here in the mountains. Currently there are appr. 75 families in the tent camp here. Out of these, the houses of 50 families were badly damaged and the houses of 10 families got completely destroyed including the loss of all belongings. One family lived in a rented room and lost all belongings.

All of the people on the photos attached and many more say THANK YOU SO MUCH to you!

Please continue to help me to help this people!
Thank you very much,
Yours,
Nike-Ann Schroeder

Many families have lost their homes, they need help urgently since winter is coming soon. Here I give some examples of many, all these people live in ‘our’ tent camp:

Tsering Choedroen

Tsering Choedroen is 46 years old and her family has a hard struggle since many years. She has three children, the oldest is 10 years old. Since she gave birth to her first child, she is sick and needs permanent medical treatment. 4 years she was so sick that she had to stay in bed. Her husband works as a labor in road constructioning and other jobs, but often can’t work because he has to help at home. The family has struggled for many years, but now the flood made it worse to a point they can’t manage alone.



Gawa Thubten


Gawa Thupden is 73 years old, his family has 7 members. His house and all his belongings were destroyed by the flood.

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Shesrab and Family

The photos are of Shesrab's wife and house.

Shesrab is 64 years old, his wife (unfortunately I forgot her name) was injured in the flood. They have six family members. In the night when the water came, he screamed loud and could wake up and save all family members in the last minute. The house got destroyed by the flood (see photos) and he could only find few of his belongings in the mud which fills the ruin of his house.

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Dechen Choedroen


Dechen Choedroen’s family has 4 members including one baby. Her house was completely destroyed and all her belongings are lost.
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Karma Thargyal

The following photos are of Karma Thargyal and his house.

Karma Thargyal’s family has 4 members. His house was filled with mud after the flood. Many people helped him cleaning. On one day the group was cleaning his house from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. and took a rest after the working day. At 4 p.m. there was a strange sound and the house collapsed.

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Shankar Wangchuk

Shankar Wangchuk’s family has 3 members. During the night of the water they woke up and found themselves and the bed swimming on water and could see the ceiling very near. All family members got out of the house, but the house was completely filled with water and mud which destroyed all belongings. They clean the house, but cracks are everywhere. They try to prevent he house from collapsing but think it will collapse. Buildings near the house were destroyed completely.