Helping our Neighbors in Nepal

Students unite to support Nepal earthquake victims

Wednesday, May 13, 2015


While families share the privilege of joy, they also share sorrow when family members are hurting. Following news of the recent earthquake in Nepal, Southeastern students – led by many who call the country home – rallied to support the victims of the disaster. The university community has since established an online fundraiser, hosted a candlelight vigil and created a social media campaign to raise money and support for those affected abroad.

Immediately following news of the earthquake, Southeastern Student Government Association chief justice Suraj Ayer, who hails from Nepal, began raising awareness and collecting donations through collection boxes on campus.

The students have since created an online GoFundMe account to collect donations dedicated to relief and recovery efforts through disaster relief committees in communities across Nepal. Furthermore, the Southeastern Foundation has announced it will match all donations to the account up to $4,000.

Additionally, the Office of Multicultural and International Student Affairs helped students to organize a recent candlelight vigil outside the Student Union to honor the earthquake victims.

One of Dr. Amber Narro’s undergraduate communication classes created a social media campaign to encourage the Southeastern community to donate $1 each to the GoFundMe account using the hashtag #LionUp4Nepal. Class members have uploaded photos using the hashtag and tagged their friends to spread the word.

Students from Nepal – a country only slightly larger than the state of Louisiana with a population of 24 million – make up the largest part of Southeastern’s international student population.

“The Southeastern family includes over 300 international students from Nepal. Many of their loved ones and friends are suffering in the wake of the devastating earthquake that recently struck their home country. We share their sadness, and hope our thoughts and prayers give them strength, encouragement and solace in this difficult time,” Southeastern President John L. Crain said.

Donation opportunities also are available through the Red Cross and UNICEF.




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