Being in the Nepal earthquake was one of the hardest, most challenging experiences of my life. To feel the ground moving beneath you whilst hearing the deep rumble of the earth was so frightening. What were we meant to do? All we could do was wait. The tears, the sadness, the fear was all around me. Adults trying to be brave, children in a daze, the elderly confused...a complete mix of emotions, and me, within the community in shock- was this really an earthquake?

I had arrived in Nepal five days before to volunteer as a kindergarten teacher. Prior to my trip to Nepal, I spent one year in Phuket, Thailand, as an English teacher in a private school. I knew after my year in Thailand that I wanted to spend some time in a country where I could continue to make a difference. Nepal was the answer. A country rich in culture and where I could share my knowledge of teaching in a community environment. This I did. 

For the short time I was there before the earthquake and the time I spent after the earthquake, camping outside with the locals, they taught me a lot. I saw first hand how communities were brought together. Men hanging tarpaulin, women cooking, teenagers collecting blankets, boys carrying water, families tending to the elderly...but the best moment for me was seeing children laughing. The beautiful essence of children was still there even in the aftermath of an earthquake. I had already met many of the local children, so it was easy for me to reach for a hug. This is where it started. I was so grateful to the family I was volunteering with for taking me in, for treating me as family during this scary time. For feeding me, providing me with blankets, for the necessary comfort one needs during a natural disaster away from family and friends. I thanked them as I knew best with a #Hug4Nepal.

I want to continue this and show the people of Nepal that we still care. By sharing #Hug4Nepal we can do this. My personal goal is to raise £2000 for #Hug4Nepal. My aim is to hug 2000 people, who will all donate £1 each to help rebuild Nepal. The charity I have chosen to support is Global Action Nepal. Their main objective is to do this.

What can you do? 1 hug, £1 and encourage others to do the same.

Together we can do this.