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Yorktown Resident From Nepal Raises Money For Earthquake Victims

YORKTOWN, N.Y. -- For Gyaljen Nuru Sherpa, the earthquake in Nepal has hit very close to home.

Gyaljen Nuru Sherpa is raising money for the victims of the Nepalese earthquake.

Gyaljen Nuru Sherpa is raising money for the victims of the Nepalese earthquake.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Gyaljen Nuru Sherpa
Nepal in the aftermath of the earthquake

Nepal in the aftermath of the earthquake

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Gyaljen Nuru Sherpa

Sherpa is from Nepal and said while most of his family has survived, his hometown, in the Everest region, has totally collapsed. Now Sherpa is raising funds at his restaurant, Jewel of the Himalaya in the Triangle Shopping Center in Yorktown.

"It has been frustrating," Sherpa said. "A lot of the drinking water was contaminated. The stream to get drinking water is covered by mudslides. There is no electricity."

While some improvements have been made since the initial earthquake, Sherpa said the damage is so bad that it's going to take a lot of work to repair.

"Everything is down," Sherpa said. "There no good standing buildings wiped away. A lot of roads are wiped away. Trees are falling down, rocks fell down."

Tourism is a major part of the economy where Sherpa lives and he said it has been reduced to zero.

"There is no place to accommodate them," Sherpa said. "There's no place to sleep or eat. There is so much distress and difficulty. People are struggling."

Despite the trouble back home, Sherpa has been overwhelmed by the support he's received in Westchester. Charitable organizations and town officials have stopped in to offer their support and comfort.

"The world has come together to comfort us," Sherpa said. "I am thankful and grateful."

It means a lot to Sherpa that people are so willing to help out.

"People call me and say they are sorry," Sherpa said. "It feels like the community cares about me and wants to share my pain. People are showing as much generosity as they can."

Sherpa said he is donating six months of his salary to help people. He said he wants to provide a shelter where students can still attend school.

"We must not abandon going to school," Sherpa said. "They need a place to stay."

Will all the support he has received, Sherpa said he will gladly give back the next time he hears of a fundraiser in Yorktown.

To donate, visit http://www.gofundme.com/tc5dxhc

 

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