Nepal Earthquake Relief Fundraiser
On April 25th, 2015, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake rocked the impoverished Himalayan nation of Nepal. A second earthquake of magnitude 7.3 struck on May 12th causing even more damage, loss of life and terror in a population already living in tents and on the street.
While we have had very little word from Family Volunteer Services in Nepal, a missionary team we have sponsored over the past 10 years, due to internet and phone services being very difficult to come by, we do know that they and the girl’s school they minister to are safe and they are doing their best to provide comfort and what assistance they can.
The death toll from the Nepal Earthquake currently stands at over 8,500 people. In addition to those who have lost their lives, any of the survivors are injured. Nearly 100,000 homes have been destroyed, and millions are displaced and are staying in make-shift shelters, too afraid to be indoors because of all the aftershocks.
While there is no simple or quick fix in this situation, our team needs all the help they can get as they meet the immediate needs for people desperate to survive right now. Their grass-roots programs and local volunteers are already at work. The majority of the suffering people of Nepal don't wear western clothes nor eat western food, so sending care boxes is not the best way to send help. They need local clothing, rice & lentils, water, tents, blankets, & first-aid supplies, the basics.
And when the after-shocks subside, they will start the slow & laborious process of re-building homes & businesses--plans are already being made and materials are being gathered. Nepalese are a resilient people, helping one another, and already clearing the land as they mourn. Please give money directly to the source now when the need is greatest.
Below is a brief update by one of our staff members, James Smith, with more information on Family Volunteer Services Nepal, a missionary team who have been immersed in earthquake relief efforts since the April 25th earthquake.
"We founded the Family Voluntary Services of Nepal in September 1995 and we've been serving the beautiful people of Nepal ever since. In 2008 my personal family had to leave due to health issues for my wife and educational needs for my children-- and my then assistant, Evangeline (Lily) Neve, took over the project management and has been faithfully serving ever since, day in & out-- not come & go weekly mission trips, but living & giving 24/7 full-time for almost 20 yrs now!
They have the grass-roots programs and local volunteers already at work. Lily knows the people, she feels the pain & sees the needs first-hand, and she knows what to do about it! Please help her to help them in their distress. The majority of the suffering people of Nepal don't wear western clothes nor eat western food, so please don't waste your money sending boxes, they need local clothing, rice & lentils, water, tents, blankets, & first-aid supplies, the basics.
And when the after-shocks subside, they will start the slow & laborious process of re-building homes & businesses--plans are already being made and materials are being gathered. Nepalese are a resilient people, helping one another, and already clearing the land as they mourn. Please give money directly to the source now when the need is greatest. Thank you!"
A portion of your vehicle donations goes to support projects like this one, however, if you would like to make a cash contribution to further relief efforts by Family Volunteer Services in Nepal, click here.
