Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - It began as a way for Nepali-Americans to connect and share culture in Sioux Falls one year ago, however in the days since Nepal was rocked with a 7.8 magnitude earthquake the Friends of Nepal Dakotas have taken a much deeper meaning: helping their suffering home nation by any means possible.
“Every penny counts for us. One dollar is the equivalent of one hundred rupees in Nepal. That can buy food or a bottle of water for a couple of people,” Said Raj Bhandari, organizer of FOND. The intital fundraiser by the group brought in over 600 dollars in two hours through taking donations on a street corner in Sioux Falls over the noon hour. Since then they have shifted to the crowd-sourcing site You Care, with a goal of raising $10 thousand.
The group is focusing their fundraising efforts to help those in the outlying areas of Kathmandu, the nation’s capital and center of population. While none of Bhandari’s family were directly affected by the quake, he says he knows of people who lost everything. “Some of my friends.. none of the family members are alive. They are living overseas. In the US, UK, Australia, and they are completely helpless. They couldn’t do anything to save their families. They are just gone.” He added that thousands are still labeled as missing.
Bhandari added that Nepali students across the region are helping as well, including groups at SDSU in Brookings. Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN also traditionally has a high number of students from the nation. According to the school’s web site, 65 students from Nepal are enrolled, and several of them are waiting to hear if their loved ones are still alive.
“Sioux Falls has become a second home to us, we will do whatever it takes to support and protect this country. So help us protect our country at this moment,” Bhandari said in closing. “This is a global world and we are global citizens. This tragedy can happen anywhere.”
On the web: FOND you caring fundraiser