Concert for Nepal
A parade of performers are slated to hit the stage in Cole Memorial Chapel on Saturday to raise money to help devastated rural communities in Nepal.
The event, which will begin with a period of silent reflection in the college’s Dimple (or central quadrangle) at 4 p.m., is being organized by Jenish Amatya ‘17, who is from Kathmandu, Nepal, along with help from classmates Sophia Darby ’17, Emily Rose Monfet ’17, Drew Sencabaugh ’17 and Mir Singh ’17, the Center for Global Education and the Office of Service, Spirituality and Social Responsibility.
Amatya learned about the quake early Saturday morning, and after he was able to confirm the safety of his parents and family, he began efforts to raise money to fuel relief efforts through non-profit agencies in Nepal.
His focus is on helping the village of Baseri, a rural community about 120 miles from Kathmandu and the location where he and his sister Kanchan developed a pilot fish-farming enterprise with support from a Resolution Fellowship last summer. Kanchan, a student at University of Oklahoma, and their sister Jolly, who works at the United Nations, are also helping with the fundraising efforts.
While information is difficult to come by, Amatya said that the village was destroyed by the quake and suffered a number of deaths as well.
“Now that I know my parents are safe, my whole attention can shift to Baseri and places that need help,” Amatya said. “It’s very devastating.” He said that he has arranged to direct the aid through local non-profits, such as Women Entrepreneurs Association Nepal (WEAN) “so that we can see the impact of the help we provide.”
Already, nearly $19,000 has been contributed to the effort, hosted on the crowd-sourcing site IndieGogo. The concert on Saturday will be free and open to all, with a suggested $3 donation. Proceeds from the event will go to the cause.
The lineup
Acappella
Gentlemen Callers
Voices United to Jam
Wheatones
Whims
Bands
FACO Feusday
Hoo: Lums
Mike’s Bakery
The Wheaton College Jazz Band
Dance
S.O.L.E.
Trybe
Spoken Word
Tyrek Greene ’15