Soon after the earthquake of April 25 rocked the country, Yogaraj Kandel sprang into action to support affected people in Sankhu and other places of the valley. Kandel, who is a CEO of a college in Kathmandu, and his colleagues started by collecting relief materials, from water to medicines.

They also posted pictures on Facebook to update friends and followers about post-earthquake scenario.

Kandel, Ganesh Koirala, Dr Arbani Shrestha and Ram Bahadur KC in Kathmandu and abroad started fundraising under the banner of alumni of Tribhuvan Multiple Campus of Palpa. Soon the fundraising drew many more Nepalese residing abroad who started contributing to their campaign to aid the quake survivors.

The group has managed to raise Rs 1.8 million by Sunday. Kandel, who is busy these days trying to get in touch with affected communities, reaches out to quake-affected people carrying truck loads of relief materials every evening.

Relief materials that are in demand include rice, beaten rice, water, medicines, tents tarpaulins corrugated sheets.

"We are careful about not to duplicate the supply of relief materials," said Kandel, adding they purchase relief materials only after learning about the requirements.

Those who are contributing to our relief campaign are no longer limited to our alumni only as many Nepalis living abroad have been sending money and encouraging others to do the same.

"I had never thought our relief effort could grow so big, but kind-hearted Nepalis abroad made this possible. I think they were moved to act after seeing the photos I had posted of the affected people," shared Kandel.

He and his friends had gone to Sipapokhare-9 with a tipper full of 50 sacks of rice each weighing 30 kg, 40 sacks of beaten rice, medicines, salt and blankets.

Megharaj Dhakal from UK, Jagannath Devkota of Nepalese Students' Association of University of South Florida and Satis Chapagain from USA through Kartabya Foundation, Kedar Shrestha of Hawaii USA, Laxman Ghimire of Canada, Radha Neupane and Thaneswor Kandel from France have led the fundraising abroad.

They have already reached Sankhu, Mulpani of Kathmandu, Aaanp Piple and Jaljale of Gorkha Anekot, Kushadevi, Sathighar, Dandakhet, Devisthan of Kavre, Lubhu of Lalitpur, Katunje, Panchkhal ward no 13 of Sindhupalchowk, Sudal of Bhaktapur with the relief materials.

"We will continue until friends of ours keep on sending money and need is reported," added Kandel.

Published on: 12 May 2015 | Republica