Central Coast residents help Nepal earthquake victims

The death toll in Nepal’s disastrous earthquake has climbed to more than 5,000 and some fear it could keep growing. While the natural disaster in Nepal may seem thousands of miles away, some here on the Central Coast have direct ties.

Stepping into Cheppu from Himalaya feels like stepping out of Carmel Valley. Owner Christine Kolisch opened this business after living in Nepal for 13 years.

“Nepal is my other home,” Kolisch said.

It’s a home she hardly recognizes now.

“Being such a small country, this is devastating for them. Not only loss of life, but then the rebuilding of their homes and businesses,” Kolisch said.

In just a few seconds, the massive earthquake changed everything. But Kolisch said it only takes a few seconds to help. She’s spearheading a relief organization website called wehelpnepal.org. The website also features powerful stories from people in Nepal about the destruction and what they’re dealing with.

The goal is to raise $40,000. She said 100 percent of the money raised will go to the victims.

“We have no admin costs, everyone is donating their time,” Kolisch said.

Proceeds from the items sold at Cheppu have been going toward students and women organic farmers, and now, they’ll go to the new relief fund. Just a few miles away, college physics teacher Dhan Khadka is also doing what he can to help. He’s from Nepal and has been spending his free time on Facebook looking at devastating pictures like these and anxiously talking on the phone with his parents and his brother who is in the Army.

“My brother and his wife are working and they’re working 24 hours to help those who are struggling peoples and surviving peoples,” Dhan Khadka, a CSUMB instructor from Nepal said.

For Kolisch and Khadka, images of devastation coming out of Nepal hit close to home. They hope neighbors here will join them in their efforts to help.

A California search and rescue team traveled to Nepal Tuesday to help the local government find and save victims of the devastating earthquake. This comes days after a 7.8 magnitude quake rocked the country. A crew of 57 highly skilled search and rescue firefighters from Los Angeles County will arrive in Kathmandu.

Using high-tech cameras and six canine units, they’ll be rescuing people trapped in collapsed rubble or confined spaces. This team is one of only two rescue groups headed to Nepal from the U.S.