Picnic in the Park for Uttam – Can You Help - Africa and Asia Venture

Picnic in the Park for Uttam – Can You Help - Africa and Asia Venture

A slightly different news story today...For anyone who's been to the Lepchas you will know that it is a pretty unique place and leaves a lasting impression. Talking to a Lepcha AV you realise there is something totally amazing and captivating about the Lepcha community and you realise this when AVs of different years all come together...please take 2 minutes to read the following message from AVs Sophy Searight and Laetitia Cooke:

Please help AVs to help save a Lepcha friend's life!

Everyone who's been an AV in Pakang Lepcha village, and many who haven't, know that Uttam Lepcha is a legend. When I was there in 2005 we spent a lot of time doing archery in the field behind his house (Uttam's a pro and put my attempts to shame), and having beer-fuelled chats about Bryan Adams.
He was a real support and trusted friend to me while I was in Pakang, particularly since he manages to mix wise advice with a wicked sense of humour.

When I visited last year he'd just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and was both scared and clueless because no one had told him the implications. Due to a total lack of treatment, there was a crisis two weeks ago and he's now permanently in a hospital 7 hours from his home and on dialysis twice a week. He's 26 years old and the cherished eldest son of a fantastic but very poor family so this is terrifying not just for him but for them too, as well as for the whole village.

Uttam's kidneys need to be replaced during the next couple of months. A sibling will donate the kidney but the operation costs a daunting 300,000 rupees
(about £4000), which is a mind-blowing amount. The village has already committed all spare cash to fund his dialysis and if the rest of the money isn't found then the operation won't happen, which is unthinkable.

We (ex-Lepcha AVs) are going to fund as much of the treatment as possible, so we're having a picnic on Hampstead Heath on the 18^th of June. There'll be cake, and a raffle, possibly some sort of musical accompaniment, and certainly Pimms. If you fancy bringing a raffle prize and a quiche/scones/booze (plus any donations!), please join us: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=211887705511571

Some of us will also be doing the Asics 10k run in
London on the 10^th July. We'd be delighted either for the moral support or the extra funds if you'd like to run it with us.

We've raised £700 in the past week and if you'd like to donate, we'd be eternally grateful. For details of the special bank account that has been set up and the latest news please visit the Facebook Group - ‘Uttam's Kidney Transplant Newsroom' http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_134342979974921 or send Sophy Searight or Laetitia Cooke a message.

 

Please help us to save Uttam's life!

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