Ballinrobe man fundraising for Nepalese friend

Ballinrobe man fundraising for Nepalese friend


Ciara Galvin

Following the devastating earthquake in Nepal last month, millions of people have lost their homes and livelihoods. One of these people is Hari Bhatta, and Ballinrobe man Diarmaid Finnerty is fundraising in an effort to get his friend back on his feet.
Diarmaid visited Nepal in January 2014 where he trekked with friends and met guide Hari who organised his group’s trek.  
Diarmaid told The Mayo News, that Hari spent most of his life as a porter carrying extremely heavy supplies up and down the highest mountains in the world for as little as $10 a day for work that last 12 to 16 hours.
“For years he worked and saved and eventually managed to open his own business, growing it slowly over the years to a large successful tour operator. He bought a house and earned enough to send his kids to school,” Diarmaid explained.

Destroyed
On April 25 Hari’s business and home were destroyed in the earthquake that claimed the lives of approximately 8,000 people.
“For days, I was unable to contact him and only after a long anxious wait did I learn that he and his family were safe. Facebook made this fantastic, anyone from Nepal who signed into their account could declare themselves ‘safe’ so that their friends could know. That is how I found out, on Hari’s Facebook page. All over his page there were messages from people from all over the world wishing him well. It’s clear he had an effect on a lot of people,” said Diarmaid.
Now Diarmaid hopes to raise enough money to help Hari rebuild his life and business and provide for his wife and two children.
“To start up your own business just to see it all wiped out one day and you are living in a tent in the street with your wife and two kids. He doesn’t deserve that,” he concluded.
Donations to this fund can be made on www.indiegogo.com/projects/nepal-eathquake-relief-hari-bhatta.