A group of Angus teachers is looking to help the victims of Nepal’s worst disaster in more than 80 years.
Teachers from Angus Morrison Elementary School visited Nepal just a few weeks ago – creating a partnership with a small school just outside Kathmandu.
"I was devastated and very concerned about the people and the friends we made when we were visiting Nepal,” says teacher John Alexander.
The group brought $4,000 that was raised by students to help the Nepal school purchase computers.
"We went over there as teachers and colleagues with the thought of just seeing what a school was like in a developing country; we left having strong bonds of friendship,” says teacher Kerrie Fitzhenry. “These are people who we know and we built relationships with and you can't turn your back on people."
They've received word their new friends are all okay and the school is intact, but many of their homes are damaged. The group met on Sunday to find ways to help.
"We have a really tight relationship with the Shikharapur Community School,” says Alexander. “We want to help the people within the school community that we made friends with and have a tight affiliation with."
The death toll from Saturday’s 7.2 magnitude earthquake has toppled over 2,500.
Pubudu Dassanayake is the head coach for Nepal's cricket team. He lives in Kathmandu eight months of the year, when he is not in Angus with his family.
"Even the little bit they had, everything is gone,” he says. “They need to rebuild it from the scratch now."
He helped make the original connection and will play a major role in the school's relief efforts.
"For a small community like this, we won't be able to help in a mass way, but I think we can help even a few families get their feet up, so I think that's the best way to go."
The group has come up with several ideas to raise money; they're just waiting on school board approval.
Once that happens, the group will provide an update on fundraising efforts via their Facebook page.
