$3K for Earthquake Relief

Thanks to the generous support of some Rochester residents, we managed to raise just over $3000 at the fundraiser for Nepal earthquake relief. The fundraiser was held last Saturday and was jointly hosted by us and the Rochester Brainery.

The money has been split equally and disbursed between our social partner in Nepal, Ama Foundation and international relief agency, CARE for its work in Nepal. Ama Foundation houses and educates around 50 orphans and abandoned children in their home located just outside Kathmandu. We had signed up a partnership only in the beginning of April, and felt lucky in a way to have a ready partner in Nepal when the calamity struck.

The response of local businesses and individuals to the fundraiser was heartwarming. Although the event was organized at a very short notice, donations of gift cards from businesses and items from local artists and citizens for the silent auction poured in right up until the start of the fundraiser.

We were fortunate to have quite a bit of press before the event. Also the numerous shares on social media about the event helped to spread the word. We had at least 150 people come to the event!

It was with great pride that we offered cups of teas from Jun Chiyabari Tea Estate of Nepal to the guests, along with traditional Nepali snacks of momos (dumplings) and alloo dum (spicy potatoes). 

Even as people streamed in and out of the Brainery where the event was being held, one could not help but feel the strong cords of humanity that bind us together, no matter the distance and differences that separate us. Nepal has a long road to recovery, but with the prayers and the support of the world pouring in hopefully it will get there faster.