Students at UK raise money for Nepal

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – About 20 students at the University of Kentucky have started to raise money to send to earthquake victims in Nepal. They are raising funds various ways, including their Go Fund Me Page called, "Nepal, I am with you."

The page was started on April 27, just two days after the earthquake injured thousands and took the lives of at least 5,500 people. As of Thursday, the page has raised more than $2,400 from at least 75 donors.

For Nepalese graduate student Samjhana Shakya, the motivation to raise money for those affected came naturally. "Our families are suffering. Our people are suffering. It’s an intimate feeling that pushes us forward to try and help them," says Shakya, who is studying at the University of Kentucky as a Fulbright Scholar.

Shakya says their goal is to raise at least $10,000 to help a rural village outside of Kathmandu. She says the donations will buy food, shelter and medical supplies. She says the students are concentrating on how to use the donations in the most efficient way possible to help rebuilding efforts and to provide aid to those in need. Shakya says the group is also focusing on ensuring access to clean water and preventing the spread of diseases.

Another student involved in the fundraising, Suraj Upadhaya, says people in Nepal have several other concerns right now. Upadhaya says his family is worried about aftershocks coming behind the quake. He says even a weak one could send already damaged buildings tumbling down, causing even more destruction. "People have a fear of going inside their home because the building is cracked," says Upadhaya.

The students say they would like to thank everyone who has donated so far.