Nepalese Student Association raising funds for earthquake relief

Troy University’s Nepalese Student Association is raising money for the Nepal Red Cross following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck central Nepal April 25.

So far the fundraiser, organized through gofundme, has raised $661 of its $10,000 goal.

According to reliefweb.int the Government of Nepal has reported 3,351 deaths and 6,833 injured people as of April 27.

“It is really a shocking experience,” said Sahil Hamal, a freshman computer science major from Katmandu, Neapl and president of the Nepalese Students Association. “Especially when you are away from home, you get more worried.”

There are 35 Nepali students at Troy University, including the Nepali students attending the Montgomery campus.

“One of the students has lost his house and another student’s brother is missing,” Hamal said. “So even though we all are worried about the situation, some are even more worried due to those issues.”

According to the Red Cross, more than six million people live within 60 miles of the earthquakes epicenter.

“We know that we are abroad, and we can’t really make much of a difference,” Hamal said. “But we have started a fundraising initiative that will help to get some relief for Nepalese people.”

The earthquake was the largest to hit the country since 1934, according to the Red Cross.

“Nepal is really in a state of chaos right now,” Hamal said. “All we can do, being in a foreign country, is donate some money.

“So people can help us and the country by donating to the fund organized by the Nepalese Student Association. Apart from that, we are getting emotional support from faculty, staff and friends which is really overwhelming.”

Those who would like to donate can do so at http://www.gofundme.com/sxbd59s?fb_action_ids=10155402916915234&fb_action_types=og.shares&fb_ref=undefined.