By Angela Harding It’s my first time in a helicopter1 and when Captain Tord Niklas asks me what I think, I instinctively reply that it’s surreal… the’ lighter than air’ sensation as we gently lift off the ground is something that you don’t experience in a fixed wing aircraft. It’s out of this world! It’s awesome!
Captain Niklas flies for Fishtail Air, the local helicopter company that MAF has been partnering with since the earthquake earlier this year. Today Captain Niklas is taking MAF Nepal Acting Country Director Alrena Martis, the newly arrived short-term MAF Nepal Administrator (me), and Nepali psychologist Binit Sharma, from Kathmandu to Kerauja in the Gorkha region.2
Kerauja is not a place for a fixed wing aircraft. It’s a large scattering of orange tarpaulins and small dwellings etched into the face of a very steep hill, and with a platform perched on a cliff edge just big enough for a helicopter. The vast majority of people are still living in tents and without power. All are without running water. But Nepali people are typically stoic and the ones who live in Kerauja are no exception. As the helicopter drops us off, the locals greet us warmly and adorn us with silk scarves. They are full of smiles and appear carefree despite their extremely difficult circumstances. Yet psychologist Binit predicts that he will find many of them suffering from post-trauma stress disorder, depression and grief. I am reminded that these people have emotional needs, just like us.
Angela with ladies from Keraunja
Rashmita Giurung
Inside the makeshift classroom
MAF’s operation in Nepal is clearly different to normal MAF programmes. We are not using our own aircraft, but instead use our expertise and connections to arrange, coordinate and fund helicopter transport with a reputable local company for a variety of local and international relief organisations. Dipesh Regmi, People in Need’s Main Logistician in Kathmandu says “PIN’s working experience with MAF is very positive, they (MAF) have been flexible during the emergency period and this continues until the present. MAF provides an indispensable service for PIN since we work in remote VDCs (Village Development Committees) in the upper Gorkha District.” My visit to Kerauja highlights the impact that MAF is having on these gracious Nepali people. Jesus said that “whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me.” What I see in Kerauja are brothers and sisters in great need and MAF’s ministry bringing them help. That’s even more awesome than the helicopter flight!
111 December 2015 in Fishtail Air’s Eurocopter AS350 B3 (call sign 9N-AJI)
2Departing Kathmandu (KTM) at around 10am and returning at around 1.35pm for Kerauja-Gorkha Army Base-Kerauja-Prok-Kerauja-Gorkha Army Base-Solyanter-Kerauja-KTM. Alrena and I were on the KTM-Kerauja, Kerauja-Prok-Kerauja and Kerauja-KTM legs only. The flights were also to move PIN staff from one location to another as well as to move a small amount of cargo.