A Call to put our Hands Together for Children In Nepal

namastebrowsandbou

3 minutes ago

6 min read

Today, I finally finished the flyer and setting up our Zeffy donation page with Kathy Ramundt from Do Good Roseville. I sat there looking at everything we had created, and I had a moment where I thought: Wow. This is a huge responsibility. And honestly, this is a huge ask.

But I also knew something very clearly. I could not do this alone. That is why I knew I needed to partner with others. And when I thought about who I could ask to stand beside me, I couldn't think of anyone other than Do Good Roseville.

I am honored to serve on the board of Do Good Roseville, and I have experienced firsthand the heart this organization has for our community. So when I started thinking about how we could help Nepal, partnering with Do Good Roseville felt like the right place to begin.

But let me take you back to where this really started. Two weeks ago, at the Minnesota State Fair. The Minnesota State Fair was already hard this year. Being a vendor at the Fair is not easy. There are long days on your feet, constant conversations, inventory, sales, questions, logistics and the responsibility of representing your business. But for me, it is also much more than selling products. I am representing Nepal. I am representing the artisans who make the beautiful collections we bring from Nepal. I am representing the stories behind those products.

And this year, I was doing all of that while carrying a very heavy heart.

On August 26, devastating flooding hit Nepal. One day before the fair started. During the Fair, I was interviewed by several local television news stations and was live on radio. So many kind Minnesotans came to my booth and asked me:

“How are you feeling?”

“Is your family okay?”

“How can we help?”

Some people told me how sad and hurt they felt when they heard about what was happening in Nepal. Some prayed for Nepal. Some hugged me. And some simply stood there and listened.

A few people asked me a question that I haven't been able to forget:

“What can we do to help?”

I don't even know how I stood tall through those days. I was exhausted—mentally, emotionally and physically. But I kept going. I took the interviews. I answered questions. I talked about Nepal. I talked about our artisans. I welcomed customers. I accepted prayers and hugs. And I kept showing up. Looking back, I realize that sometimes resilience doesn't look like feeling strong.

Sometimes resilience is simply standing up and continuing to do what needs to be done while your heart is hurting.

Last week, I was thinking about something completely different. One new senior living community had reached out asking whether we could help with their holiday celebrations, similar to what we have done for Roseville seniors. They asked whether we could help with something as simple as bringing holiday cookies. I was thinking about our seniors. I was thinking about the upcoming holiday season. And I was also thinking about Nepal.

That same morning, I called Raunak from Sano Paila, a nonprofit organization in Nepal.

I know Sano Paila personally. About two years ago, when I was visiting Nepal, I visited their office. I also purchased several pieces from their jewelry line for the Namaste Brows & Boutique collection. What I learned about their work left a deep impression on me. Their story, their commitment and the impact they were making were incredibly inspiring. So I called Raunak and asked: “How are you doing? What are you working on these days?” He told me that after the flooding, the Sano Paila team had gone to Rasuwa District to help.Thye are still there. And then I learned about the children in Uttar Gaya who lost their parents in the flood. I can't stop thinking about them.

Food is an urgent need right now. Safety and care are urgent needs. But I keep thinking beyond today. What happens to these children six months from now? A year from now? What happens when the immediate attention fades? What happens when the news cameras leave? What happens when the rest of the world moves on? I don't know the answers. And I don't want to pretend that I do. But I know I want to help. I want to help these children for the long term.

What that looks like, I don't know yet. And maybe that's okay. For now, I know what I can do.

I can start.

For now, every dollar we are able to collect through our store and our Zeffy fundraiser will go toward supporting Sano Paila's relief work on the ground in Nepal. The immediate needs are changing quickly, but right now food and safe care are among the most urgent.

Our fundraiser highlights that:

$1 can help provide three hot meals.

$8.50 can provide a child's full day of safe care.

$200 can help restart a family's livelihood.

These numbers may look small or large depending on where you are in your own life.

But I have learned that when many people each do what they can, small acts become something much bigger.

I am planning to travel to Nepal in January. I want to visit Rasuwa District myself. I want to meet the people. I want to see the community. I want to listen. And if there is an opportunity, I want to volunteer and simply give an extra pair of hands. I don't know exactly what will come from that trip. But I know I want to be there. I want to understand what these children and their community need not only today, but in the months and years ahead.

There is something else I have been thinking about a lot all day today.

While my heart is hurting for these children in Nepal, I am also incredibly grateful.

I am grateful that I live here in the United States. I am grateful for the resources we have.

I am grateful for our government systems, community organizations, nonprofits, schools, businesses and neighbors who step forward when people need help. And I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of both communities. Here in Minnesota, I am thinking about our seniors and how we can bring them a little joy during the holiday season. In Nepal, I am thinking about children who have lost their parents. Different needs. Different places. But the same reminder:

We are all connected.

When I started Namaste, my mission was simple:

To make people feel beautiful inside and out.

Over the years, I have learned that beauty isn't only about what happens inside our store.

Beauty is community.

Beauty is showing up.

Beauty is sharing what we have.

Beauty is caring about someone who lives thousands of miles away.

Beauty is using whatever resources, relationships and opportunities we have to make someone else's life a little better.

And today, I am asking our Namaste community to help me do that. If you are able to donate, thank you. If you can't donate, please share this story. If you are part of an organization, business, church, school, community group or another network that wants to help, please reach out to me. If you have ideas, resources, connections or guidance, I welcome those too.

I am not an expert in disaster relief. I am simply a woman who loves her country, loves her community, and believes that when we see a need, we shouldn't always wait for someone else to act.

I don't have the whole plan. But I know the next step. And that is enough for me to begin.

Because this is something I have learned through my own journey: You don't always need to know the entire HOW. Sometimes you just need the courage to take the next step. So today, this is our next step. Let's put our hands together for children in Uttar Gaya. None of us can do this alone. But together, we can.