I'm Noah Howard and my business is Ark Imports. I've been importing from Nepal for almost thirty years. Although I have been involved in charitable work in Nepal for quite a while, I've never asked for any money from anyone to help with what I was doing. I didn't want to mix Noah and Ark and Nepal in that way. Too confusing for me and it seemed difficult to separate the business from the charity work, so I just did what I did.

On Saturday April 25th the Earthquake in Nepal changed things big time. The needs now are so huge that I want to and have to deal with the mixing of my private life and business life, and help as much as I can. The best way I can help is to raise money to send directly to my friends in Nepal who can put the $'s directly into the hands of people who need it. People whose homes have been destroyed, people living in tents, people who are suffering. Any money raised will be sent quickly to meet the most immediate needs; food, water, shelter. I will be sending money directly to my colleagues who are experienced and reliable community leaders. I trust them 100% and they are kind, responsible,capable, and caring. They are my Nepali brothers and sisters.

I joined facebook today to start my campaign. I never thought I'd be fundraising one day, I don't like asking people for money (except in business), I liked to do what I can quietly and privately, but it appears those days are gone . The need in Nepal is too great and the calling in my heart to help is too strong, so here I go......

Please help me raise money for the Earthquake Victims in Nepal, please make a donation to 'Ark Nepal Earthquake Relief'.

You can have confidence that your donations will go a long way to helping individuals and communities in Nepal. Kindly send this message to anybody who you think may want to help as well. As time goes on and I figure out how to do the facebook thing better, I'll post pictures, videos, stories, all that kind of stuff. You will see how your donations are making a difference, you will see smiles!