12 humanitarian heroes in Nepal who inspire us

Monday, August 17, 2015

Up at the crack of dawn, to bed long after sunset with one thing in mind – how to best help. The job requires heavy lifting, trekking long distances and listening to heart-wrenching tales from survivors. 

But, as you’ll hear from 12 of our staff responding to the Nepal Earthquake, it’s not just a job. It’s a calling. 

The team that’s been responding to the needs of survivors has been moving as quickly as humanly possible since day one. Because of their dedication and efforts, World Vision’s Nepal Earthquake response has been able to assist more than 190,000 earthquake survivors and has plans to reach many more. 

This week, on World Humanitarian Day, we highlight a few of our staff who continue to inspire us.

1. Cyfril Faith Saa, Cash Distribution Advisor
“I’ve been involved with quite a number of emergency response back in the Philippines but supporting World Vision’s response in Nepal is both fulfilling and challenging for me. I need to learn and adjust the culture and how things can be done. 

“But I’m grateful to witness how the Nepali people are picking up the pieces back together in order to rebuild their lives. I guess it’s not about where you are coming from. It’s all about the sense of spirit and resilience that we must need in our lives.”

2. Nirdosh Magar, Distribution Volunteer 
“It’s an honour to be part of the response and serve my community as well. My family is affected from the earthquake too but I’m willing to go beyond what is expected in me in order to rebuild our country. 

“I’m a proud World Vision volunteer.” 

3. Ashish Bajracharya, Child Protection Officer

“Our targets VDCs (villages) are very remote. We trek hills and cross the rivers. The road is quite dangerous but working with them to rebuild their lives is a must. 

“I’m proud to see the positivity of my fellow Nepali people despite all the hardships they face even before the earthquake. I see them bouncing back even if we think that it’s quite impossible.”

4. Khudam Bir Tamang, Senior Distribution Officer

“It’s my first time to work in a humanitarian response. It’s an honour to meet different people, and we are doing our best to work as a team. This opportunity is also a way to serve my country. 

“I used to work as a trek guide in Nepal and being here is one of the greatest experiences I could ever have. I still trek hills to reach the places but this one is more meaningful because I’m able to serve my people.”

5. Racedi Pathak, Child Protection Officer

“When I visited the community, I saw the sad faces of some children. They had fears and anxieties after the earthquake. 

“Since I have a background on child counseling, it helps a lot to process their feelings and allow them just to be themselves. I’m happy they’re now slowly recovering.” 

6. Prachanda Pradhan, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Coordinator

“Being here, I can feel as if I have made the right decision in involving myself into to emergency work because the job seems very overwhelming yet fulfilling. 

“I’m happy to help my Nepali fellowmen who suffered a lot after the earthquake. 

“I’m inspired to make things done as we are building more toilets, repair water system facilities, and teach people children on hygiene and sanitation. I’m glad to make a difference.” 

7. Parash Malla, National Education Manager

“The smiles of the children inside the temporary learning shelters are inspiring me to keep going. If we get them to safe places, the children can bounce back quickly.” 

8. Anita Thapa Magar, Non-Tracking Food System Officer

“I think the most rewarding part of this response is seeing the smiles of the survivors on how they’re thankful that we are with them. I know that our support might not be sufficient to replace the loss and their pains but I believe that our presence means a lot to them.  

“I’m also happy to be given the chance to interact with some children. Whenever I see them smile, I see hope.” 

9. Tek Bahadur Sunar, District Manager 

“I face many challenges being the District Manager in Lamjung. I face political conflict, geographical concerns, community issues, and some internal misunderstanding. 

“However, as a leader, I try my best to do frequent coordination to multiple stakeholders and bunch of encouragement to my peers to not give up. At the end of the day, everything involves relationship in whatever we do--it is very important.” 

10. Jao Jaucian, Downstream Logistics Manager

“During the earlier weeks after the earthquake hit, I was immediately deployed to support the distribution activities. 

“Seeing World Vision relief items reach the people who desperately need it, even if it’s too difficult, and seeing their smiles makes every effort worthwhile.” 

11. Sunil Hakaju Shrestha, Policy Advocacy Advisor

“The earthquake has turned their world up side down and we have the responsibility to reach out to our people. 

“We should be human rights friendly to respect the rights of community people and the rights of the children." 

12. Rajendra Shrestha, Shelter Distribution Volunteer

“More than three months after the earthquake, I could see that families still need more support to sustain their basic needs like shelter.”