Linton men help rebuild Nepal
Two Linton Military Camp soldiers are trading in driving for manual labour as they head to Nepal to assist in humanitarian efforts after the 2015 earthquake.
Lance Corporal Samuel Eyre, 27, and Lance Corporal Goodwin Williamson, 24, are heading to Nepal on October 1 to participate in the Australian and New Zealand Kathmandu Summit Club Deusa Rebuild.
The Deusa Rebuild is an internationally recognised humanitarian effort aimed at helping to repair and rebuild schools and support families in the lower Solu Khumbu region in Nepal.
The opportunity was brought to their attention in an email Williamson received from Kathmandu.
‘‘After Sam looked at the details he realised this was an incredible opportunity.’’
Williamson said they had both joined the military to help out and support aid efforts, so helping Nepal was something they were both interested in.
Heading to the region of Solu Khumbu would be eye-opening as Williamson said it was a badly affected area.
‘‘They got hit the most severe with the earthquake.’’
Along with working to rebuild in Solu Khumbu the trip would also see the pair trek through remote areas of Nepal, reaching heights of 3780 metres.
After finding out they had been accepted, Williamson said it had been a bit of a whirlwind, with not a lot of time to prepare.
‘‘We know roughly what we will be doing over there – a bit of everything – painting, building, digging, just general maintenance stuff.’’
‘‘We hope that our contribution to these efforts will make a difference to the livelihood of those affected by the 2015 earthquakes and create awareness for those people who are still recovering,’’ Williamson said.
People they had told about the trip had responded positively, particularly in headquarters at the Linton Military Camp, Williamson said.
Eyre said they had to beat out hundreds of other applicants, with only 16 selected. ’’We applied the day after the email came out.’’
Eyre said he was looking forward to seeing some monasteries and also having a sherpa guide them through trails not quite so well known by tourists.
Even though they would be representing the New Zealand Defence Force while away, the trip was self-funded, with the pair individually having to fundraise A$1000 each, as a donation.
To donate go to https:/ /makingadifference.gofundraise.com.au/page/samuelandgoodwin.