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Dispatch 1
Just
the beginning...
December 22, 2005 -
Lal Chok, Srinagar, India
Alas, I have finally
gotten time to sit down and write the first of many KER dispatches. The
previous two weeks have been recorded by the North Face team on
their website.
Since his arrival, Usmaan has been struggling with various obstacles,
from clearing customs of 2 1/2 tons of donated material to receiving
permission to reach many isolated and neglected villages. Base camp has
been set up in Tangdar where KER and TNF (The North Face) teams have
visited many villages in the surrounding areas badly effected by the
quake. A detailed survey of the region and its immediate needs have been
conducted, village by village, house to house. Here is a brief run down
of the work already conducted:
1. Kona Gabra: 200
families visited/issued foam and bukhari heaters
2. Dringla: 65 families visited/hand delivered school supplies
3. Jabri: 74 families visited over 3 separate trips, delivered clothing
to 150 children and onsite medical support
4. Gundi Shat: 38 families visited
5. Tangdar Nard: 170 families visited/issued foam and bukhari
heaters/provided medical support
6. Simari: 60 families visited
7. Kadhami: 80 families visited
8. Gundi Gujran: 200 families visited and issued foam and bukhari heaters
9. Rang War: 80 families visited and completed small TNF gear drop of our
personal gear
While I do much needed
e-mail, faxing and purchasing work today in Srinagar; Usmaan has gone to
Uri for the day to observe the situation and hand out school supplies
(books, packs and pencils) to the children. Despite my desire to go
along and flex my photography skills and help the children, I am needed
in the city to receive the long awaited TNF gear. So far 73 boxes of the
262 have arrived. The rest is expected to come today. I write expected
because the last 2 days have been spent at the airport waiting on more
gear to arrive so we can leave to Tangdar ASAP. The winter is here and
temperatures are low but luckily the snow has been delayed. Weather is
always unpredictable and unforgiving so time is of importance. If
received today, the gear will be sorted, designated to the appropriate
villages and finally loaded on trucks in route for tomorrows journey to
Tangdar and beyond.
The TNF team has left
yesterday for Delhi after a difficult 2 weeks. They have brought
awareness in the states about the victims of the earthquake, delivered
materials and smiles to the faces of countless men, women and especially
children who have so little to be currently happy for. KER thanks their
efforts and we will continue to do work in the U.S. with them. A second
dispatch is scheduled for tomorrow regarding Usmaan's visit to Uri and
updated information on our gear situation as well as plans to go to
Tangdar. Until then, we hope the final shipment comes today. More soon.
-Talal Ansari
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