The Nepal Student Association along with other students is working to send funds and items after the devastating earthquake.
After the devastating 7.9-magnitude earthquake that killed more than 5,000 people in Nepal, Texas Tech University students and the Nepal Students' Association are raising funds and sending items to provide relief to the Asian nation.
People can donate online or in person near the Student Union Building at the West Plaza where the Nepal Students' Association has set up tables from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to accept donations. Currently, Texas Tech along with local Nepali families has raised more than $8,000 to send overseas.
“We were so saddened to hear about the devastating events this weekend in Nepal,” Texas Tech President M. Duane Nellis said. “Especially with some of our students being raised there, it really hits hard for us here at Texas Tech. It is our goal to send as much relief as we can to the Nepali nation, and I commend our students for putting in such an effort to help others internationally.”
Saba Nafees, vice president for Graduate Affairs who has close friends and family in Nepal, said she knew something had to be done when she heard the news.
In just 24 hours, she worked with administrators on campus to set up an online donation system through Texas Tech's website along with social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter.
“We are so close knit at Texas Tech, and students here call it home – especially Nepali students,” she said. “Now that their real homes have been destroyed, we have to give them that feeling of home and comfort. It's important for West Texas, Lubbock and Texas Tech to come together in general and show we are working together to send the most aid possible to Nepal. Any amount given will go directly to Nepal and any of the entities working on the ground.”
Along with raising funds, the Nepal Students' Association is hosting a candlelight vigil from 8-9 p.m. Friday (May 1) at Memorial Circle to remember those who have lost their lives in this tragedy.
Siroj Pokharel, a Nepal native and former president of the Nepal Students' Association, said he really appreciates the efforts to help his homeland.
“It really means a lot to us the efforts people from Texas are putting in,” he said. “From a Nepali perspective, I really appreciate it. Texas Tech and people from nearby vicinities understand the circumstances well and are working very hard. We have already raised a lot of money, and we will continue to work to help those back home.”
The Nepal Students' Association is working in conjunction with Breedlove Foods, Inc., a local, nonprofit company that provides nutrition in more than 80 countries, to send relief to Nepal.
Pokharel said they are accepting toiletry items along with donations. The Nepal Students' Association has drop boxes located around campus for donated items and is willing to pick them up from anyone who can donate.
To schedule a pick-up, please contact Bibha Gautam, adviser for the Nepal Students' Association, at (806) 831-3515 or Roshan Bimali, president of the Nepal Students' Association, at (510) 612-6857.
To donate online, visit www.ttu.edu/aidNepal/ or contact Saba Nafees at (817) 986-4826. Those who donate online can choose between three different organizations: Breedlove Foods, Inc., United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and Red Cross Nepal.
Those who donate can share their efforts on social media using the hashtags #NepalChallenge, #RedRaidersAidNepal or #TTUAidNepal.