Following a devastating earthquake that struck the Napalese capital city of Kathmandu in late April, a group of UNIST students with ties to Nepal are urging others to reach out and help with rescue and reconstruction efforts.
This powerful earthquake has affected more than 8 million people in Nepal, shattering thousands of lives and destroying many of Kathmandu valley’s most historically important buildings.
The UNIST International Student Organization (UISO) has started several fundrasing events, along with a PrayForNepal campaign to support Nepal recover and rebuild in the wake of this tragedy.
Luc Loja (left) and Cerian Vaidya (right) of the UNIST International Student Organization (UISO), holding a sign that said “Pray for Nepal” on Saturday near the Student Union Building to raise funds to support the victims and send aid to Nepal.
A short campaign video has been created and displayed on the UNIST Media Tower, as part of Nepal earthquake relief campaign to raise awareness, funds, and support for the communities and people affected by the earthquake. Donation boxes at several campus locations have been also made available to all members of UNIST and to the public for cash donations from April 30 to May 9, 2015.
Moreover, a walk-in donation booth, held near the Student Union Building over the course of the UNIST Spring Festival (May 8 to May 9, 2015) to fund relief in Nepal. A mini busking concert next to the booth was held to attract more people to the campaign. All funds raised through the donation boxes, as well as all proceeds from PrayForNepal campaign will be earnmarked for the Nepal relief fund.
UNIST students, performing to raise money for Nepal relief near the Student Union Building at UNIST on Saturday, May 9, 2015.
Cerian Vaidya is working towards her B.S. in Energy and Chemical Engineering at UNIST. She is a member of UISO whose family and friends were directly affected by the disaster. Cerian was raised in a neighboring city of Kathmandu, the densely populated capital of Nepal that is home to many of Nepal’s iconic landmarks. According to Cerian, although her family members in Nepal are physically sound, they are in a state of trauma due to the earthquake.
“This is an extremely unfortunate event. Most of the houses in our community, including my family’s have been completely destroyed by the earthquake,” says Cerian. She continues by saying, “My thoughts are with everyone who’s been caught up in this tragedy. Nepal is in great need of assistance from anywhere it can in this hour of crisis. People need to stay united and support each other, and rise together.”
Addionally, there are other donation opportunities available through the Red Cross and UNICEF. Shown below is a campaign video by UISO, as part of Nepal earthquake relief campaign.
