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AN UPDATE ON ALAIN AND NEPAL
From Julie Hall, abbreviated to include an update from Alain Rouveure
Just over a year ago I interviewed local entrepreneur, shop-owner and
philanthropist Alain Rouveure, and found him to be passionate and selfsacrificing
in his efforts to help the people of Nepal through his own means
and by fundraising as part of his business at the Alain Rouveure Galleries
in Todenham. Recent developments both at home and abroad warranted
a return visit, and we met in April, initially to discuss the progress of his
existing projects and the development of new ones – with an update by
Alain (in red) following the earthquake in Nepal only days later.
The Rouveure Galleries sell genuine Tibetan rugs made by workers
employed and supported by Alain in Nepal, using unique and traditional
dyes to produce high quality rugs that are sold through the shop. The
exquisite jewellery handmade by silversmiths in Nepal also sells well, as
do the smaller items and textiles. Alain pays his workers well – he is a
strong advocate for Fair Trade rather than Aid and is a member of
RUGMARK, a world organisation. The new gallery exhibits a small part
of Alain’s extensive collection of antique and highly collectable textiles,
masks and other wares, including some rare and valuable Shaman
dresses recently exhibited in Paris and Venice. He has been collecting
since 1979.
Approximately every four months Alain returns to Nepal, seeing his
workers and following up with his charitable work amongst the families
and communities he supports. For Alain, this is the most important part of
what he does: the welfare of the people he has come to know and love,
providing work so that they can benefit and profit from his support (both
practical and emotional) and become as independent as possible.
I am still spending a lot of time on the phone trying to contact the
families we know in Nepal. As electricity cuts prevents mobile phones
from charging it makes it difficult and extremely frustrating. However, l do
manage to speak to most we know and love, and get news of others via
their network. The school we
sponsor was affected but luckily, as
it was Saturday, very few children
were in and no one was hurt. All our
other friends have escaped serious
injuries but unfortunately there has
been major damage to their homes,
traditionally built with mud and brick.
Many communities are completely
wrecked. The worst is in the
countryside where houses were often old and weak. Most have now
gone … with a monsoon about to start … if the current situation was not
bad enough already!
The Alain Rouveure Nepal Relief Fund was set up over 30 years ago
specifically to accept contributions from well-wishers and supporters also
wanting to make a difference. During his regular visits to Nepal Alain
monitors the different projects and ensures that 100% of the donations
received are spent directly where they count, without one single penny
spent on ‘admin’. Alain’s foundation is too small to make it
administratively viable to become a registered charity, so he relies solely
on his own income and that generated by the Galleries; donations are
very gratefully received (details on his website www.alainrouveure.com);
even a small regular contribution of £5 or £10 a month makes possible
some of his projects in Nepal on a long-term basis.
An example is the Namo Buddha School which Alain supports,
and he is on the Board of Directors. Currently they have 300 children
enrolled, 70 of whom are boarders. Readers who would like to sponsor
a child abroad can donate a small amount to this school for books,
stationery and toys; a larger/ more regular monthly amount could
educate a child. For example: £500 a year would sponsor a day student’s
fees and food, £45 would repaint a whole classroom, £55 would provide
a school bench & table for 4 children. I paid this year's fees for our
10 children during my visit in February.
Perhaps you could help fundraise by holding a cake sale at your or
your child’s school? Alain is keen to develop relationships between Namo
Buddha and schools here in the UK, to promote better understanding of
each country’s society and culture, educational styles & philosophies.
This could be achieved by letters between the children, by fundraising
projects, or even by ‘twinning’ with a suitable school here in the
Cotswolds! If you are reading this and are a teacher, child or parent who
thinks this is the opportunity you have been looking for, then please
contact Alain via his website or the Galleries – what are you waiting for,
let the adventure begin!
The Namo Buddha School three hours away from Kathmandu was hit,
but luckily only the old original farmhouse that had been converted into a
primary school. The new classroom block we are building with an antiseismic
reinforced concrete structure has only suffered minor damage.
Fortunately, on the day of the first and most powerful earthquake, many
students were away and the boarding children were playing outside.
Most people who work and live in the Kathmandu valley come from
distant villages, which are left peopled by women, children and the
elderly. They hear that most of their family homes have been raised to
the ground. The majority of these communities are very isolated at the
best of times, making it difficult for aid to reach them fast.
Our glass-maker friend Bharat (some of you will have met him at the
galleries) his wife and little boy, are safe
amongst the mayhem in Kathmandu
and so is our silversmith friend Krishna
and many of ‘our group’. Most of their
relatives in the villages made it, but not
all. Like millions of Nepalis, they camp
outside with the bare minimum, under
plastic, sharing with others the little they
still have.
Of course people will try to rebuild
their homes as rapidly as they can. I perfectly know that in Nepal,
especially rural Nepal, most do not have bank accounts or access to
bank loans, charged at rates of between12% and 16%. Many will have
to rely on money lenders at interest rates between 30% and 50%,
sometimes higher. I have seen it too many times, bailing out some
families with long term interest-free loans. Although I am sure some of
the financial aid coming in will be put to good use, Nepal has its fair
share of financial scandals operating with impunity.
Long term funding is important, and cash without strings to buy the
building material needed to get the poorest in the communities back on
their feet.
l feel that planning to help build at least one solid (anti-seismic
reinforced concrete pillar system) community centre / village hall, that
would very likely be the most resistant and the safest place in the small
community, could be a start. It would also be a good investment that
would be run by the community elders. And importantly, in my
experience, this would also minimise jealousy between families as to
who gets help and who does not - because it is not if but when the next
earthquake will hit Nepal.
On behalf of our Nepalese friends I wish to thank those of you who
have enquired about making donations towards easing their burden in
these traumatic times. I am grateful and humbled to have some support
from clients and friends who feel the same as I do. Thank you.
One of the ways to contribute is by cheque made payable to
ALAIN ROUVEURE RELIEF FUND Sent to Alain Rouveure,
Crossing Cottage, Todenham near Moreton in Marsh, GL56 9NU
or by bank transfer to ALAIN ROUVEURE RELIEF FUND;
LLOYDS TSB 30 95 75; Account 22238 668
IBAN GB43LOYD 3095 7522 238 668, BIC/SWIFT LOYDGB21385
ALAIN ROUVEURE
GALLERIES
TIBETAN RUGS, HIMALAYAN TEXTILES, TRIBAL ART
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planning to help build at least one solid (anti-seismic
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