Below is the original article in its entirety, that was published on the Americas MVP Community Facebook page, on July 18th, with respect to SQLCommunity and the Nepal earthquakes back in April/May 2015.
My recent communications with Shree Khanal, Founder & Leader Himalayan SQL Server User Group and his recent update on the Earthquake Relief efforts by him and his colleagues.I have also shared some photos of the affected areas below.
<<
Till date we have completed the 2nd phase of quack relief program.
We
had made efforts for the relief of the earthquake victims in
Sindhupalchok district under the campaign name “Earthquake Relief
Campaign in Sindhupalchok”. The 1st phase of program worked only for the
victims of Sindhupalchok district, most affected district and supported
with Immediate Relief Items.
In
2nd phase, we had helped the students of the affected areas who have
been badly traumatized by the disaster. We had coordinated with school
management committee to reopen the schools and create teaching and
learning environments by installing alternative classrooms, providing
education materials and so on. And immediate relief to students had
encouraged them to re-attend the schools. So we provided them the school
bags, stationary items, uniforms etc for more than 700 students.
We
are still working on to prepare the reports of 2nd phase and will let
you know once it is done. We have attached some of the snapshots taken
while distributing the relief materials in the affected area in this
mail. If possible, we request you to post in your blog as evidence. >>
My daughters
just graduated elementary school this past June, and the Principal’s year-round
motto, and congratulatory message for them to take with them in their future
endeavors, is “Lead by Example”. This motto resonated with me, and my
reflection on being a SQL Server MVP, humbled at holding this honor for
5-consecutive years, and my observation of the entire Microsoft and MVP
community in a real-world execution of leading by example. Especially in the wake of the Nepal
earthquakes that occurred on April 25, 2015 at 11:56 AM local time, and again
on May 12, 2015 12:50 PM local time.
I’ve been
wanted to blog about the topic, and it is about the first class group of
dedicated professionals of the SQL Server Global Community. No, this isn’t just
another blog on SQLCommunity, but one that really shines through as an example
of leadership, dedication, charity, altruism, and world citizenship. Being a
part of this wonderful world community, is that you see a side to these
extraordinary individuals even more than just being technical experts in their
field, but passionate humanitarians to help their fellow man, woman, and
child. I would argue that many of them
are just as passionate, if not more, than just evangelizing the product and
company that supports their MVP.
Upon news of the tragic events, Microsoft
launched their Disaster
Response Program which seeks to improve disaster preparedness
and response through the delivery of technology and expertise for citizens,
lead responders, and businesses. According to their DRP site, over the last few
decades, Microsoft has provided support for more than 300 natural disasters
around the world! This
article highlighted Microsoft’s response to the Nepal earthquake.
Then I
received a note from the leader and founder of Himalayan
SQL Server User Group,
<<Many
historical landmarks, houses, roads were destroyed in the quake, killing
approximately 8000+ people in 48 of 75 districts in Nepal while the death toll
still continues to rise. Thousands have been injured and countless have lost
home, have lost all supplies to the quakes, students have passed away, and
community members continue to cry out for help but to no avail.
The
survivors are in dire need of basic humanitarian help like medicines, food,
water, blankets, and tents. There is an urgent need of the aforementioned
relief items. We are still searching for our members and updating their
status. We know that we have to notify you last week but due to unavailability
of electricity, we failed to do so.
There
is a limited electricity, internet and mobile calls and we found most of our
pass members are safe but lost their family members and house.
In
light of this tragedy, the SQL Pass Nepal team has launched a ‘Quake Relief
Fund” campaign. Through 25 placement schools in two districts, we most likely
reach to 100+ communities where students come to our schools. This will be our
priority work area.
Through
this campaign, we could help the little children, orphans, homeless people and
even the pass members starving for help. Our community needs your help.
We
would highly appreciate if you could join us in helping to support the quake
victims in need. We are happy to receive any kind of relief material like :
Tents , Blankets, Foods, Medicines etc. which would help them to live a comfort
life. If not possible to support us with the materials, funds [monetary
donations] is also the ok(not forced). We will purchase it from the local
market and will be distributing to the victims. We mention your name (or
Organization) during our fund relief program.
I
do not recommend large initial donations. Instead, make smaller donations and
consider repeat donations if you are satisfied with the information we
provide back to you. Relief efforts are likely to be needed for some
time.
We
humbly request you to pass this message to your friends and relatives those who
are interest to help the victim. >>
And
so, I feel compelled to at least publicize his message, highlight their efforts
to rebuild, and their plea for help, as well as the MVP community coming
together, and to underscore their plight.
When I saw an email on the SQL MVP
technical discussions thread, by fellow SQL Server MVP Denny Cherry, he
reported that, at that time, Shree’s relief efforts received about $2000 US
Dollars, which they were able to use to assist people in the local area.
As they say, timing is everything,
so, Denny asked us to help get them some books, swag, etc. to give away at
their user group meetings, something, he pointed out, they don’t get very much
of being a small user group, with little access to these resources. I also
found out that as they are rebuilding, they are maintaining a physical library
for the members of their user group. Well, I just happened to have my book HealthySQL recently published by Apress, this past May 20, 2015, and Shree contacted me
personally to request a copy of the book, and some codes for the eBook for
download.
Since they have told me that they
are unable to get my book Healthy SQL in Nepalese market, I am sending some
signed copies, via a representative in New York. I really didn’t think my doing so would make
much difference, but they did request this, and I am bound to oblige. I am most
delighted to provide them with some, no matter how insignificant it may seem,
positive uplifting to their “SQL Server” educational needs, and help them
regroup and reconvene their user group meetings.
Indeed I was told that one SQL book
is worth several months of salary. So on average, if for example, a print copy
of my HealthySQL book is being sold for $50.00, that is worth 5077.3 Nepalese
Rupees (NPR). It’s really quite shocking
when you consider middle income earnings can range from 100 NPRs a day to 5,000
NPRs a month depending on one’s profession.
We often take for granted that many of us are based in countries that
are considered first world, economically.
I immediately contacted Denny and
Shree, whom I’ve been corresponding with, and they are getting ready to start
up once again, the Himalayan SQL Server User Group. As stated, Denny said this is a unique
opportunity to help User Group. Therefore, I am sending them some signed copies
of my personal stash of HealthySQL, as well as some associated SWAG. I know that Denny already did, and some
others. Even though it seems like a
small token, to them it means a lot, and glad to do anything that will uplift
their spirit in the face of adversity. The efforts going on big and small by
professionals in the SQL Server Community, and the determination and resilience
of Mr. Khanal to help his fellow citizens, is amazing demonstration of leading
by example.
If anyone would like to reach out,
and make a donation in any form, please get in contact with Shree, and he will
direct you further to make sure that your donations get into the right
hands. Additional contact information
below:
Shree Khanal
Founder & Leader (Himalayan SQL Server User Group)
Phone: +977-9851051141
Email: shree@sqlpassnepal.org
Ravi Chandra Koirala
Vice President (Himalayan SQL Server User Group)
Phone: +977-9851044938
Email: ravi@sqlpassnepal.org
Norsang Lama
Campaign coordinator & Member (Himalayan SQL Server User
Group)
Phone: +977-9849836825
Email: nhorang@gmail.com
And of
course, if anyone is interested in learning more about my book Healthy SQL – A
Comprehensive Guide to Healthy SQL Server Performance, published by Apress, you can go to the url:
http://bit.ly/orderHealthySQLnow
You can also
get the book on Amazon: http://bit.ly/HealthySQLonAmazon
For all
things SQL, news, events, jobs, info, and other fun tweets, follow me on
twitter @Pearlknows and join the #HealthySQL campaign to
keep your SQL Servers healthy!
