Calvin students rally support for flood victims in Nepal
On October 9, Calvin students held a fundraiser on the Commons Lawn to support those affected by the flash floods across northern Nepal.
Last month, a catastrophic glacial collapse and rock avalanche triggered devastating flash floods across northern Nepal. Entire villages were swept away. Thousands of families have been affected.
Rallying support from afar
There is no shortage of relief needed. And a handful of Calvin students are rallying support from their community.
“We raised almost double the amount we had expected,” said Charchit Adhikari ’28, an electrical & computer engineering major from Nepal, who helped organize a fundraiser on October 9. “The love and support that the Calvin community provided was immensely wonderful.”
Adhikari and his peers put on a fundraiser where they sold Nepalese food and drinks. A network of alums from Nepal provided the money to purchase the goods, so all proceeds from the event are going directly to Higher Ground Nepal, an organization started by Calvin alum Bimala Pokharel ’00. The funds will be used to build a shelter for children who lost their parents and homes.
For some of the student organizers this is deeply personal as they have relatives who are still missing. But Adhikari says regardless of if you know someone who is missing or not, if you are from Nepal this hits home.
“Nepalis are super patriotic,” said Adhikari. “If anything happens to the country, we are always there to serve and to respond.”
To date, almost 1,400 people have died and another 4,900 are still unaccounted for.
“It’s just very difficult and very sad,” said Adhikari.
Expanding awareness, building support
While the group experienced an outpouring of support from students, faculty, and staff during their first event, they are holding another event on October 24. While they will continue to fundraise there, this next event will expand to engage local Calvin alumni, church partners, and others outside the Calvin community who share a heart for supporting this cause.
“We’ll be focusing more on raising awareness about the situation in Nepal, sharing how our fundraising efforts are working, and explaining how the money we raise will help people,” said Adhikari.
The event will feature Nepali handicrafts from Higher Ground Nepal for purchase and refreshments and conversations surrounding Nepal's current situation. Organizers of the event also note they will auction off a handmade comforter and provide opportunities for attendees to ask questions more directly about their local partner Higher Ground Nepal. Attendees are welcome to stop by and shop or stay for a time of student- led worship and prayer for Nepal.
Grateful for a caring community
This whole experience of raising support and awareness has shown the student organizers from Nepal the beauty of the community they are a part.
“I didn’t really expect it to turn out the way it turned out today,” said Anshu Pradhan ’28, a double major in nursing and psychology from Nepal, about the October 9 fundraiser. “So many faculty members and Calvin staff have been supportive in advertising this. I would say that it turned out much better than we anticipated, and it was a collective effort.”
“We are super grateful that we get to live and study in this community,” said Adhikari. “The Lord has truly blessed us with such wonderful people around us, and it’s because of this support that we’re able to help people in need.”
The event on October 24 will be held in the Hekman Collab Space (located in the basement of the Hekman Library) from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Organizers say that any money raised will support flood victims in Nepal. If someone is unable to attend the event but would like to donate toward the cause, follow nepal_fundraising_calvin on Instagram.