OPEN LETTER to all NEPALI AMERICAN Community Members, Activists and Leaders:

Enepalese Published on: March 30, 2020

First of all Thank you so much for staying engaged. Engaged among ourselves, issues and events that affect each and everyone of us, also for your (our) engagement on the mainstream issues. Engagement brings knowledge and knowledge is power.

Community Affairs:

Never before we have been advocating our community issues. From NY to CA, from IL to TX, VA to FL in most states we have our own network of people, volunteers, experts, professionals, leaders and community organizations. We have started building our own Community Centers, Temples and Stupas, starting schools, community information sessions etc. Together we celebrate our very own New Year, our festivals be it Dashain-Tihar, Teej- Holi or Jani Purnima. It’s our culture, we own it. We are away from our motherland but still connected everyday- as its our life.

NEPALI AMERICAN BOARD: We need to make a SOLID CHAIN among all Community Organizations and Our people. We should SHARE our knowledge, experiments, Success and failures. We should be harvesting our community leaders to be prepared to lead in different States and Country to next 5-10-or 20 years time.

CENSUS: Let’s all get counted. The Census Awareness and Advocacy in our community is at a very high level compared to other community as I have witness. I believe our response rate is much higher- However those who haven’t already filled the Census might be left out. We all need to check with all of our members and during the conversation ask if they filled the census yet. Just have them go to my2020census.gov We need to have our strong number- We all need to be counted.

What After Census: After the Census the NEPALI AMERICAN BOARD should make a database with emergency contact info, email of our community members, so we all can be connected and important information shared. The NAB also should compile all the Government assistance available to its community state by state.

COVID-19: This is a very difficult time. We all need to be Strong and take care of ourselves. Let’s keep checking our friends and families frequently and support whatever we can. I will like to thank all of our Medical Professional, emergency care workers, Police, Nurses, Elderly care professionals, Grocery workers, Postal and delivery and all essential service workers for your service during this time. Definitely while you having your parents, kids and your loved ones at home you come from work with potential exposure- You all are our HEROS- Thank you so much for your service. The virus isn’t going away in a week or two and we have to be prepared for longer time.

Let’s keep checking our circle and see how we all are doing. Let’s develop a habit of calling at least 10 people a day- believe me they will appreciate your call more than the like you press at their Momo plate 🙂 I am so sorry that I couldn’t help with over 10 request received for testing- I am not a Doctor and States until now have very limited test kits which are to be done under strong recommendations from your doctor (If you don’t have your doctor- call your county health department). I believe things are improving as more PPE and test kits will be available soon.

The fatality rate will be increasing more as some models project to be as high as 200,000. Our community already suffered loss in NY and it will hit more close to our heart in coming days. Lets pray, let’s practice Social Distancing, Let’s keep washing our hands, Use sanitizer, face masks etc. to protect ourselves. Unless you are essential worker lets not go out. Grocery shopping lets limit to shop once every 10-15 days.

FINANCIAL HARDSHIP: It’s going to severely effect all of us. This virus definitely made us realize that life is more important than money. But we need money to live our life. We need to pay for our basic needs- Food, Shelter, Clothing and Communication. The Congress has passed the CARE act which provides some needed relief- Cash pay out for up to $3400 for a typical family of 4 with income upto $75000. Also- those who become unemployed a minimum of $600/week unemployment benefits available for next 13 weeks. Small business loans and some grants available to survive during this crisis. This is not the end if thing gets worse Congress will act again. TOP SECRET: don’t tell anyone but we need to elect one or two Congressman from our community who speaks our language and understands our culture in next 5 years.

Thank you so much for reading this long letter. I am always available to everyone who needs my help at my capacity

Jewan Tiwari, President Nepalese American Forum for Political Empowerment- NAFPE Member- Virginia Asian Advisory Board (VAAB)