Now these people are reaching out to Pebbles for Nepal calling for help, through a Nepalese contact, Minchu, who works for the charity.

Pebbles for Nepal supplies valuable water tanks to the Chepang Hill region but the area, like others in Nepal, have been badly hit by the earthquakes.

The region is not close to any highways or roads, and international aid is non-existent, because of their isolation and caste system.  

“The monsoons are coming and shelter is needed. Because Pebbles for Nepal has shown generosity in the form of water tanks these people are reaching out to this organisation to help them.

“The people of the Bega Valley have supported and in their own way adopted this area over a three-year period by providing valuable life changing gifts in the form of water storage. Now the need is urgent on a humanitarian level for these people. Newborn babies from last year are now six months old, sleeping in the elements under the stars with little to no shelter, or in their cow or goat shelters,” Ms Stewart said.

In the past three weeks $11,000 has been raised for Pebbles for Nepal in the Bega Valley, along with an additional $5000 donation from the Social Justice Advocates of the Far South Coast.

Ms Stewart said: “People’s mindfulness of others in dire need has been outstanding. The money that comes from Bega Valley will be going directly to the Chepang Hill people, directly to where it is needed.”

Local Social Justice Advocate, Gavin Bell said: “At the monthly meeting of the Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast a donation of $5,000 was made to Jenny Stewart of Pambula for her to provide relief for the many families she has previously helped in Nepal.

“The two major earthquakes and aftershocks have directly impacted areas where Jenny has previously supplied water tanks and plumbing to change the villager’s lives by providing a clean, reliable water supply.

“This funding directly fits with the Advocates philosophy of injecting funds directly to the situation, where a known person on the ground can use 100 per cent of the funds for the cause.”

Mr Bell explained that the donation was possible thanks to the great local support the Advocates received at the annual Samaritan Shop held in Pambula, where last year alone over $36,000 was raised.

Ms Stewart said that the earthquake disaster would have spiralling effects, from which it would take years for the Nepali people to recover.

“When you have nothing, you don’t need much but you do need shelter from the elements. 

“These people are directly communicating with Minchu and asking ‘Jenny to please help us’,” Ms Stewart said.

She has plans to leave for Nepal, using her own money, within the next two to three weeks and aims to buy supplies to help the Chepang Hill people once she arrives.

Pebbles for Nepal thanked the many local businesses and individuals who have given and also provide ongoing support for Pebbles for Nepal.

Donations can be made at:

Bendigo Bank Pambula, BSB: 633 000, Account: 136 212 149, Name: Jenny Stewart/Pebble for Nepal.