It feels like yesterday when I used to hear about Tunza Eco- generation through my senior sister Smriti Pehim Limbu (former ambassador) and ask her how can I get involved, what to do and how. Time flies away so soon and it is nearly three years from then, and now I find myself an integral part of Tunza as the 14th Regional Ambassador. Being an eco- enthusiast Tunza has been an elite platform I have ever had to meet the like-minded aspiring youths from around the globe, serving with differentiated responsibility but common goal of sustainable environmental conservation. Being selected as chairperson for Global Youth Eco- Leadership Summit, Model United Nations was one of the best days in my life and I find words insufficient to explain what Tunza Eco- generation means to me.

But what I would like to share today is something amazing I never expected. It was May 11, 2015   when I received an email from 11 years old Aaditya Singh of UAE who claimed to know me through Tunza, appreciates what I have been doing and trusts enough my honesty to donate money he won as prize to support Earthquake affected people in Nepal. When I saw the email, for a moment I wondered and pondered if the email was genuine. The way he addressed me saying Didi (elder sister) in the very first email and his each sincere word let me feel his humanitarian thoughts mature beyond his age. Let me introduce him, Aaditya a eleven years old boy of Indian origin residing in UAE Sharjah was a former active member at Tunza but due to his eyesight problem he has to make minimal use of computer so couldn't continue. Our conversation continued, his mother Mrs. Veenu Kanwar who was very friendly and inspiring added me in Whats app, kept on updating throughout and informed that Aadi brother has tied up with another philanthropic organization ADTTA (Affiliation of Dynamic Table tennis Athelets) which organized fund raising tournament for supporting Earthquake victims of Nepal. Finally on 20th May ADTTA sent me Nrs. 222000 ($2220). My ever inspiring professor Dr. Hom Banset was very happy to hear about Aadi brother and ADTTA and he was excited to guide me all the way long in this endeavor.

Happiness enlarged to hear that our own noble platform Tunza Eco- generation also sent 220 pieces of T- shirts on 20th May for earthquake affected children through DHL office. Before Tunza sent the T- shirts I called the DHL head office to know if the tax is charged for relief materials sent from abroad. They suggested if it is sent in the name of some recognized not for profit organizations then tariff won't be charged. So, I asked Eco- generation team to send it in the name of Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Nepal.

I was committed to connect the support received and needy people in the best effective way I can.

Some Challenges that came on the way

ADTTA sent the amount to my bank account of Everest Bank through Al Ansari Exchange but even after 3 days the bank staffs said the amount hasn't been deposited to my account. I had to visit bank for three days, contacted the manager, head office and other banks that had direct tie up with Al Ansari but couldn't tract the amount. Only after 5 days when ADTTA tracked it the amount was delivered to my account.

But when the T- shirts were delivered in the custom office UPF representative informed that we need to pay a tax of around NRs. 13000 ($130) to release the package. The custom office gave two options either to pay tax to release or leave those packages in government's fund collection.  I felt helpless as I had already used up my saving for solar installation and my parents were unable to afford that sum at that instant. I wasn't sure what to do and then Hom Sir said that he would pay whole amount on my behalf as he knew well how excited I was regarding the T- shirts and didn't want to let me let down. But I felt uncomfortable in letting him pay a huge sum. So, at early 5 am on 26th May I headed towards Kathmandu, capital city with a hope to convince the officials and release the packages without tax. After 5 hours ride in a bus I reached the custom office and along with UPF member tried our best but the officials said clothes aren't listed as primary need for victims so tax is a must. And then when I called my parents they asked me to use Nrs. 5000 ($50) they had given me for travel to use for releasing and Hom sir gave next 10000 ($100). Even after paying the tax the releasing process was not easy as we have to hire one agent for the process, the package was checked and counted by six officials, pay charge for many middle men during the process. But when the package was uncovered for inspection all my tiredness wiped off to see such lovely t- shirts hand painted by workers in Samsung Engineering. The whole day I had was so busy I lived with a packet of biscuit and a bottle of water all day. Finally at around 10pm I reached back home with happiness in all my heart and those lovely T- shirts, remembering the quote where there is a will, there is a way.

Above All,

I feel blessed to be a part of Tunza- Eco- generation the invaluable gift in my life that introduced Aadi brother to me and a chain reaction for support initiated. Thank you dear Aadi brother for being such adorable, thank you ADTTA for your tireless effort, thank you Mrs. Veenu Kanwar for being there along all the way. Thank you my ever inspiring Dr. Hom Basnet sir. Dear Tunza Eco- Generation I can't explain in words the vibrant colors you have added in my life, my sincere thank you for being so supportive and inspiring, giving me wings to fly with my dreams and connecting me globally with such enthusiastic mates.

(In part II I will be explaining the details of Earthquake relief campaign from preparation to accomplishment)