Islandmagee couple fly out to rebuild Nepal

Jane Prendy and her husband Rishi Kunwar have so far raised £4268 for their Go Build-Nepal campaign, as well as collecting over 100 soft toys and several pairs of shoes for orphans.

Their £10 Topi campaign has also raised £300 to purchase nanny goats and chicks for 10 impoverished families.

After flying out for their month-long visit on August 18, the pair will meet with village elders in the Gorkha region to establish which families are in greatest need of a new home from their building project.

“This visit is aimed at scoping out the situation to see who needs the houses the most,” revealed Jane.

“We aren’t able to build the houses at this stage as Nepal is in the middle of the monsoon which is the worst possible time to build.

“We have enough money for 11 houses so far but we are still aiming to raise £10,000 to build 25 houses.”

Also benefitting from the Prendy-Kunwars’ efforts are the orphans at Sharada’s Shelter for Children in Kathmandhu.

“There is a girl who is working with government schools to get teddies to leave in schools for children who are too afraid to attend after the earthquake,” Jane explained.

“The younger kids don’t want to leave their parents as there are still tremors, so their “teddy buddies” sit at their desks to encourage them to go back to school. We are also donating 36 teddies to a home for physically disabled children.”

Larne Rotary Club recently held a Topi party which raised £230 to buy livestock, while Larne Town Centre Partnership donated 16 reusable cotton bags for schoolchildren to carry their books.

The Prendy-Kunwars are also continuing with their “Hats off to Nepal” campaign, where members of the public don the traditional topi hats to raise awareness of the continuing humanitarian crisis in Nepal.

This has even attracted the support of celebrities such as Russell Brand, Miss Northern Ireland Leanne McDowell and model agency boss Alison Clarke.

Recently, TV presenter Eamon Holmes also agreed don the traditional headgear for a photo, and the couple are eagerly awaiting his picture.

“He is a compassionate man and he immediately showed an interest in our campaign,” revealed Jane.

“He represents Northern Ireland on the world stage and for him to agree to support us gives a warm feeling.”

To assist with the fundraising, contact Jane on 07758273807 or email [email protected]. To donate, visit: http://www.gofundme.com/uju8g4mg