Nepal is the home to eight of the world's 14 tallest mountains. But beneath the peaks of the Himalayas, a disaster was waiting.
A devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake destroyed Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, along with many surrounding villages. The death toll, nearly two weeks after the quake, nears 8,000.
The destruction hits close to home for a small community of Texas Tech students who hail from the mountainous country between India and China.
That's why Texas Tech rallied around the Nepal Students' Association, with the creation of a relief fund devoted to sending vital food and supplies to Nepal.
Donations are being accepted online, and supporters say no amount is too small. Just a dollar can reportedly feed an entire family in Nepal.
Moon Ghimire, a student whose grandparents still live in Nepal, said the communication between family members lately has revolved around seeking reassurance and gratitude to those sending support to the toppled capital.
"It just means a lot, because I know members of the NSA group have their parents, their brothers, their sisters back there," Ghimire said. "And they’re constantly calling, ever since that Friday, April 24. They’ve been calling and calling and calling, and I remember them talking to me as well. My parents are here, but my grandparents and all my family’s back there as well, and they keep telling me, ‘Oh, I’ve contacted everyone and they keep asking me if everyone’s safe.'"
Saba Nafees, a graduate student at Tech, has spearheaded the relief fund's efforts, in part to show solidarity to her Nepali friends.
"So many of them, you know, have lost their homes, their belongings, everything," Nafees said. "They’re just torn apart in every way imaginable, but here as Red Raiders, here at Texas Tech, we’re here, we’re in this together, and we’re here for each other."
As one of the world's poorest nations, Nepal was hit especially hard from the quake, with many structures not strong enough to endure a temblor on the scale of the one in April. For those already suffering, Ghimire said the aid is crucial.
"Those are the people that have small houses, made of mud, and not strong enough to withstand a 7.8 earthquake," Ghimire said. "And those are the people that are really being affected – they can’t support their family."
Texas Tech's Student Government Association has also pledged its support to the fundraiser, with newly elected president Holton Westbrook taking what he calls the "opportunity to make a difference."
"You’re provided with the opportunity to unite the student body, as a university," Westbrook said. "You have the opportunity to unite with an executive team in student government, and really show and unite who you are and what you’re going to be in this next year. And it provides an opportunity for us to provide support not only in this situation, but in the future."
Nafees said she has growing concerns about fading media focus on the earthquake, and urged Texas Tech to continue supporting in the weeks after, when many news agencies have moved on despite long-term devastation.
"What we absolutely must do is continue to raise the momentum, and continue to build forward and move on forward and continue to send aid, because it’s a pretty lasting damage."
