How Hong Kong trekker became one of dogs’ best friends in quake-hit Nepal
After holiday of a lifetime, former social worker Chang Chuen-man stayed behind to help devastated community rebuild homes – and help stray animals
A dream came true for Hongkonger Chang Chuen-man when he completed the challenge of a lifetime trekking in the Himalayas back in 2015. But a week before he had expected to fly home from Nepal, disaster struck and an earthquake killed nearly 9,000 people in the country.
Chang, like most others, could have looked for the next available flight out and escaped the natural disaster. But he decided to stay for a few more months to help the local community rebuild their homes.
On top of that, the dog lover also focused his efforts on saving “man’s best friend”.
“The feeling was like being in a boat being carried away by waves,” says Chang, a former social worker in his 40s, recalling the moment he felt the 7.8-magnitude earthquake.
“All of a sudden the ground was moving … I felt dizzy and confused.
“I only realised it was an earthquake after the tremor stopped six to eight seconds later.”
