As aftershocks continue to ravage the Kathmandu region of Nepal following April’s devastating earthquake, the nation’s ambassador to Canada met with Calgarians to provide encouragement and thank them for their ongoing support.

During the event, organized by the Nepalese Community Society of Calgary, Nepalese-Canadian children presented Kali Prasad Pokhrel with handmade gifts including signs of support for the Nepalese people and serenaded the ambassador with Nepal’s anthem.

“Everybody’s affected back home in Nepal, as well as here, because we all have our loved ones back home,” said Kalpana Dhakal of the Nepalese Community Society of Calgary. “His excellency is here to pay visit to all of the Nepalese Canadians and give them some support and console them and ask them to stay strong.”

“We are emotionally very drained ,” said Kalpana. “This special visit from his excellency means a lot to us. It’s almost like a good band-aid for our wounded heart.”

Amond the dignitaries in attendance at the Centre for Newcomers were Calgary-Northeast MP Devinder Shory.

Aayam Deujam was selected to present during Saturday’s event. The 12-year-old has lived in Canada for nearly five year’s but her homeland still holds a place in her heart

“I grew up (in Nepal) so I think it’s very special,” said Aayam. “It’s amazing. It’s beautiful.”

Aayam says she believes the people of Nepal will unite, rally and rebuild.

“Everyone’s saying Nepal is destroyed, it’s all gone,” said Aayam. “Nepal’s a very strong country so I think it will rebuild itself even better.”

Support for the people of Nepal has not been limited to Calgarians of Nepalese descent.

Zoey Pickel had booked a flight to Nepal and was scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu in the days following the April 25 earthquake. The devastation prompted the veteran traveller to cancel her plans in order to help the people of Nepal.

“Instead of being an extra mouth to feed over there, I’m going to give a whole bunch of money to an organization and do some fundraising of my own and send the money over that way” explains Pickel.

This weekend, Pickel is hosting a garage sale in the southwest community of Lakeview with the proceeds benefiting the Himalayan Disaster Relief Volunteer Group and Nepal English Education.