For anyone who has ever visited Nepal the scenes of devastation following the recent earthquakes there have brought both sadness at the destruction and concern for the Nepali friends who are caught up in this disaster. Charities from around the globe have joined volunteers and government agencies in the villages and streets of the shattered region and the communities of local monks and nuns are di
stributing food and tents among the many thousands of homeless people. Glasgow musician Rik Lamb and entrepreneur John Livingston (Livi ) from the GalGael Trust visited Nepal back in March 2011 and have many happy memories of the wonderful hospitality and humour of the Nepali people.
“ We made some great pals there and we were adopted by the Thapaliya family. We have stayed in touch with them all. It's a very family orientated society and people are brought up to practice kindness as part of their Buddhist and Hindu religion. They are just kind and gentle people. We could learn from them. From what I’m hearing my friends have survived and everyone that can is helping out any way they can. But it's a terrible situation. You can only imagine how hard it must be. I just felt maybe I could do something too.”
While in Kathmandu Rik and Livi met workers from Brazilian based charity Meninas do Nepal. The charity, which helps street children and those at risk, have been working in Nepal for many years and the boys were impressed by their record and what they've been able to do for the children and most of all by the children themselves and what they had achieved
“One worker told me how they managed to rescue the kids from the streets most of them addicted to sniffing glue or suchlike. They would give them a safe place to stay feed, them address their solvent addiction and turn their wee lives around by educating them and giving them hope for the future” we played a game of football with the kids that were at the centre and got our ass kicked I think the temperature gave them the edge but lol 42 Degrees
So this has been the inspiration behind an exceptional night of bands performing in Glasgow's O2 Arena, all to raise money to further the work of Meninas do Nepal in helping some of the most vulnerable victims of the quake.
“The response from the bands has been terrific and I'm really made up at how they've rallied round the cause. We've got Ska Ya Man, Capone and The Bullets, Dead Electric, Trongate Rum Riots, Giro Babies, The Speeches and Azure Halo. Plus the best DJ’s in Scotland;
Andrew Divine (Divine), Jamo Kidd (Flying Duck/Double Sight/CCA), Holly Calder (Eyes Wide Shut/Double Sight), Bobby Durnan (ska), Paul Molloy (Tailor Made/Friday Street), Gerry McWilliams ( he is the guest dj at tailor Made this time round), and Giles Meredith. So it's bound be a brilliant night. Nepal is a really poor country, the people need all the help we can give them.”
The benefit event takes place on the 4th of June at the O2 ABC Sauchiehall street, many thanks to the ABC and staff for donating their venue for free.
