A helping hand
THE feeling of helplessness overcame several Nepalese students in Malaysia after the earthquakes in April and May.
“We’re so far away from home, studying abroad and when these things happen, we just feel helpless,” said Ayush Awale, 23, from SEGi University.
Despite not being able to go home, he was glad he could communicate with his family through social media.
He was thankful that his immediate family who were in Kathmandu were not badly affected.
But he knew many more had suffered severe losses.
So he decided to raise some funds for his fellow Nepalese.
With the help of five Nepalese students and student volunteers, SEGi University and SEGi College Kuala Lumpur started a fundraising effort.
The total amount collected, including donations from both campuses, amounted to RM20,000.
The money will be channelled to a non-profit organisation called Believers, which helps those in the villages of Gorkha and Aamipal.
SEGi University vice-chancellor Emeritus Prof Dr Muhamad Awang expressed his gratitude to all who helped raise the funds.
SEGi University chief student affairs officer and deputy vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Jamaludin Mohaiadin thanked everyone for doing something for the nation.
He shared his experience of being in Aceh when it was struck by an earthquake, saying that he was in a building when the ceiling came crumbling down.
Nepalese student representative Tsering Dolma Sherpa, who collected the cheque for the Believers, was lost for words.
“It’s not easy to put into words. We want to thank everyone that has helped us,” said the student from SEGi College Kuala Lumpur.