Airman's sister needs house; 377th MDG assists

  • Published
  • By Argen Duncan
  • Nucleus editor
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Since a devastating earthquake in Nepal last April, a Kirtland Airman has been trying to provide for his sister and her children, who lost all they had in the disaster.

When his salary wasn't enough to pay for the safe shelter they needed, Senior Airman Gopal Pudasaini's co-workers at the 377th Medical Group jumped in to help.

Pudasaini immigrated from Nepal some time ago, but his three sisters, who each have two children, still live there. Their parents died before Pudasaini turned 15.

The earthquake affected all three sisters. With financial help from their brother and local resources, two recovered enough to be safe.

The third is living with her two children, ages 12 and 14, in a makeshift shed that offers no running water, sanitation or significant protection from weather or wild animals. She has little to no income and is a single mother, having escaped an abusive husband.

Recently, Pudasaini said, a leopard came into the shed and killed a goat, which had been a cash crop for them.

"A fear in my mind: It could easily be one of them," he said. "That's why I started freaking out. I don't want it to be one of them because that's the only family I have left."

The earthquake cut off farming, the only option his sister had for income. It also stopped her work on her bachelor's degree, which Pudasaini was funding, and jobs are difficult to get without an inside connection.

Pudasaini tried to bring the family to the United States. However, he said there's a 13-year backlog, and paying to expedite the process wouldn't guarantee results.

So, he's working on what he knows will help: the house.

Pudasaini bought land, but a home that will stand up to earthquakes and ongoing thrice-daily aftershocks will take another $30,000, he said.

To make matters worse, the monsoon season will start within a month and a half. Pudasaini is afraid the land will flood, destroying the beginnings of the foundation already in place.

"That's why the urgency," he said.

He needs to enough money to finish the foundation before the rain. He said the rest of the home could be built gradually.

"I send them a big chunk of my paycheck, but it isn't nearly enough," Pudasaini said.

He tried to get a loan but was denied because the use didn't qualify under that program.

Michelle Brock, a medical group civilian employee and prior enlisted military member, found out about Pudasaini's situation and started a GoFundMe page.

"She's been my lucky charm," Pudasaini said.

Brock said senior airmen don't make enough to support themselves and another family, much less buy property and a house. She felt the medical group should get involved.

"I mean, if it were me, I'd want people to support me when I needed it," she said.

Pudasaini said the foundation will cost $10,000, but if he could raise $5,000, he could manage the rest. He said anything collected over that amount would allow more construction sooner.

His unit has been supportive, Pudasaini said.

Since starting the fundraising page, Brock and others have been sharing the link as much as possible.

"We're not going to stop until the goal's met and his family has somewhere safe to live," Brock said. "I don't care how long it takes."

To contribute to the fund for the house, visit gofundme.com/cbqzscxg.