In 2010 Chris Berry, a friend of Idaho Springs Lions Barb Stoffers and Mary Broyles visited Nepal. He was befriended by Aleylama, Principal of The Social Salvation Center Nepal Orphanage in Kathmandu and made donations to his cause, later keeping in touch by email.
In 2015 Barb and Mary read an emotional email from Aleylama describing their ordeal with the tremendous earthquake. Aley reported that their building was completely destroyed and the children, although safe, had been unable to retrieve any of their personal items and were terrified. They were given a tent to live in where they soon had to endure the misery of the monsoon season. Lions Mary and Barb immediately held a family and friend fundraiser and sent Aleylama some relief money.
They stayed in touch, sending what they could over the course of a year. Aley and the orphans were able to leave the tent and rent a place like they had done before the earthquake. What Aley really needed, though, was to buy land and build his own place where the orphans and his family could live.
Lions Mary and Barb were able to send a donation which Aley eventually used to buy land on the Buddhist religious hill Swayambhu in Kathmandu, known as Monkey Temple. Lions Barb and Mary continued to send donations as they could.
In April 2021 Aleylama sent photos and reported that after getting a bank loan, building had begun, starting with 1 toilet and three rooms - a center room for community gathering and sleeping rooms on either side - one for girls and one for boys. Glad to hear that news, Lions Mary and Barb approached their Idaho Springs Lions Club and were able to include matching funds to send to the Social Salvation Center Orphanage of Nepal.
Before long, Aleylama found that he needed to build a 7 ft wall of stone and cement that would stop the land below the building from eroding away in their yearly monsoons. A young couple from France stayed with them, helping to build 2 new rooms and that retaining wall - covering the cost and supplying labor. Videos were taken showing them carrying the building materials on back packs since there are no roads for delivery up to the building.
This news of help from Paul Berthelot and his girlfriend, Maelle was good - but knowing that Aleylama also had bank interest and principal due in January 2022, Mary and Barb, along with the Idaho Springs Lions Club sent a donation in December 2021 to help cover that expense. Aleylama's goal is to have a 2 story facility with altogether 8 rooms where he can bring in more orphans and homeless children.
Lion Mary has been in touch with the Kathmandu Ramechhap Lions and Leos club. They are interested in Twinning with the Idaho Springs Lions Club. By sharing information about Aleylama and the orphans of the Social Salvation Center Nepal, Mary hopes to engage their help.
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