Thame, Nepal thanks Thame, Oxfordshire

FOLLOWING  a letter from Thame to the people of our town’s namesake, severely damaged by the recent earthquake in Nepal, a reply has been received from Dr Kami Temba Sherpa, on behalf of residents of Thame, Nepal. The letter reads as follows:

Dr Kami Temba Sherpa working at the Kunde hospital, nr Thame, Nepal (Photo courtesy of The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation)

Dear Mr Hunt and Town Councillors, We the residents of Thame village are very touched to receive a letter from our namesake town in England in this difficult time.

Thame is a traditional Sherpa village located in the Everest Region. It is located in off-the tourist route receiving only few tourists. The majority of the people of Thame are still largely dependent on subsistence farming, yak herding and seasonal mountaineering.

Thame village (upper Thame and lower Thame) are the two most impacted villages in the Everest Region affected by the massive earthquake struck on April 25 2015.  Two people have lost their lives and nine people were badly injured. There are approximately 100 houses in Thame. All the houses have either been badly damaged or collapsed. The traditional houses with slate roof (more than 80% of the houses in Thame) were completely flattened, whereas the remaining houses with corrugated galvanized iron roof have been severely damaged requiring major reconstruction.

We have a lower secondary school in our village constructed by the Himalayan Trust. All the facilities of the school with around 70 students enrollment have also been severely damaged. Currently, the classes are being conducted outside in open space under temporary tents. The Thame health clinic supported by Kunde Hospital that serves the residents of Thame and surrounding villages is also badly damaged.

There are a few organizations, which have been providing immediate relief support in our village, but our main concern is to rebuild our community in the long run. The residents of Thame are currently in needs of support for rebuilding the community including rebuilding individual houses, school facilities, health clinic, community centre and cultural monuments. We would really appreciate if Thame town in England can support us in rebuilding our community.

On behalf of the residents of Thame, I,  Kami Temba Sherpa would like to thank you for your genuine concern and willingness to support our community. I am a resident of Thame and currently serving as a medical doctor at Kunde Hospital.

We are looking forward to work together to link the two communities of Thame-Thame.

You can read the original letter sent on behalf of Thame (Oxon) by the Town Clerk, Graham Hunt, HERE