ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Since the April 25 and May 12 earthquakes that rocked his home country, Bijaya Khadka has been rallying for his homeland.
"My heart is for Nepal and the Nepali people," Khadka, a Rochester Nepalese native said.
Khadka said he's been overwhelmed by the support strangers have shown.
"Even School No. 44, in the 6th grade, they collected some money," Khadka said.
While raising money for Nepal, Khadka was also saving to take a support trip there. However, after purchasing the ticket, he realized his travel documents are gone, so he won't be leaving his living room any time soon. Instead, his brother-in-law will be going. He joined us via Facetime from Buffalo.
"I'll be there around a month and I'll just help them and encourage them," Pastor Purna Tamang, who is heading to Nepal, said.
Tamang said people need emotional support.
"People have been very sick mentally," Tamang said.
While there, Tamang will so help provide a solar panel and clean water for up to 100 houses. Then, with help, he will help prevent another calamity; human trafficking.
According to UNICEF, at least 245 children have been rescued from being trafficked or illegally placed in children's care homes since the quakes. A 2001 study done by the International Labor Organization showed an estimated 12,000 Nepalese children are trafficked to India each year.
Their plan is to build a school for at risk children.
With their country still in desperate need of help and the cost to do so quickly adding up, Khadka said it's never too late to become our own type of a philanthropist.
"So many times we try to find someone that can do something, but we are never somebody to do that thing," Khadka said. "But, we are trying to be somebody to help."
Tamang leaves for Nepal on Friday.
If you'd like to send a monetary donation to help you can mail it to:
PO Box 90803
Rochester, N.Y. 14609