Sam Davies, the university’s Director of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, said: “We cannot overstate the devastation caused by this disaster. The massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake has affected more than eight million people and destroyed some 70,000 homes.
“Officials say the quake has killed more than 5,500 people and injured at least 11,000. Even those whose homes are still standing are sleeping in the streets because they are terrified by regular aftershocks.
“The Nepalese government says it has been overwhelmed by the disaster and as we know aid is being received into the country from across the world, including from here in the UK.
“The university has had a philanthropic presence in Nepal for many years – and we now need to help further.
“The university was instrumental in the construction, equipping, staffing and ongoing maintenance of a rural school in Malagiri for local children. Almost six years ago, Kevin Fossey (then senior lecturer within the School of Education, since retired) began work in earnest with the university’s fundraising team, alongside his own colleagues and students from the School to raise awareness of and funds for the project, A School for Malagiri.
“Many children in the area have no education because the nearest government school is a two-hour walk away. The people of Malagiri are incredibly skilled, with a strong oral tradition, but children are keen to learn to read and write.
“Within the first year of active fundraising by the School of Education, over £45,000 was raised for the project and the school opened its doors for the first time in April 2011. The school teaches literacy and numeracy but also practical skills for later years, for instance, how to get the best price for their crops at market.
“Over the past few years, the school has gone from strength to strength with students from the School of Education visiting Malagiri each year as part of their training and undertaking further fundraising activities taking place to help with maintenance and new developments.
“Colleagues from the School of Education have received an update from Malagiri following the earthquake; although the school luckily remains intact, the building has sustained extensive damage, with large cracks having formed in the walls and on the ground.
“Understandably, the villagers are concerned about the impact of the current heavy rainfall and it is anticipated that these weather conditions will exacerbate the damage.
“Although a number of houses in the village have also been badly damaged, thankfully there are no reports of fatalities from Malagiri.
“Further updates are expected in due course, but in the meantime, the Malagiri committee within the School of Education would like to encourage staff, students, alumni and university partners who are in a position to do so to make a donation to support the school and its community at this difficult time.
“Please help with donations and/or organising fund-raising events and using the site. As part of the university’s charitable status, 100 per cent of donations given will be passed to the project with no administration costs deducted.”
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