Texas Born Foundation Launches National Nepal Relief Campaign as Advisory Board Volunteer Remains Unaccounted For in Nuwakot: Join Benevity Partners
Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as Uvalde Foundation For Kids, to direct campaign net proceeds to UNICEF
TEMPLE, Texas — The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as the Uvalde Foundation For Kids, is launching a national fundraising campaign across the United States to help children and families affected by the catastrophic flash flooding that struck Nepal on August 26.
The response is deeply personal for the Foundation, as one of its Student Advisory Board volunteers was serving in the Nuwakot area when the disaster struck and remains unaccounted for.
The Foundation was established following the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. It has since grown into a national nonprofit responding to children, families and communities affected by violence, disasters and other crises.
The August 26 flash floods caused widespread damage across northern Nepal, including Nuwakot, damaging homes and critical infrastructure and isolating affected communities. UNICEF reports that more than 17,000 children are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
Approximately one month ago, a student who volunteers with the Foundation and serves on its Student Advisory Board traveled to Nepal as part of a church outreach mission in the region.
The volunteer was working in a nearby village in the Nuwakot community when the flooding struck on August 26. The Foundation has been unable to confirm the volunteer's safety, and as of Thursday, the volunteer remains unaccounted for.
The Foundation is not releasing the volunteer's name at this time out of respect for the volunteer's privacy and family while efforts to locate them continue.
The Foundation is working closely with the volunteer's family and reaching out to the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu as efforts continue to locate the volunteer and confirm their safety.
“I'll be honest. This one hurts,” said Daniel “Bodhi” Chapin, Founder and National Director of the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation. “Our volunteer left this country about a month ago because they wanted to help people. They went to Nepal to serve. Now we're sitting here not knowing whether they're safe.
We're working with their family and have reached out to the U.S. Embassy, and we're doing everything we can from here. But while we're waiting for answers, there are children and families in Nepal who need help right now.
Our volunteer couldn't stand by and do nothing when they went to Nepal,” Chapin said. “Neither can we. This is a whole different level of violence that has affected entire communities."
National U.S. Response
The Foundation is asking individuals, families, churches, businesses, schools, civic organizations and community groups nationwide to join its National Nepal Relief Campaign.
The Foundation will direct the campaign's net proceeds to UNICEF's emergency response in Nepal.
UNICEF is working with the Government of Nepal and humanitarian partners to provide emergency assistance and early recovery support, including health, nutrition, water and sanitation, shelter, education and child protection. UNICEF has also mobilized efforts to identify, register and reunite children who are missing or separated from their families.
“We're raising these funds here in the United States, and the net proceeds will go to UNICEF's emergency response in Nepal,” Chapin said. “We're not trying to compete with the organizations already working there. We want to help.”
In the Nuwakot community, Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School has approximately 1,643 enrolled students and was among the communities affected by the flooding. Local reports indicate that students were evacuated as floodwaters approached, while the disruption caused by the disaster made it difficult for school administrators to immediately account for everyone.
The broader disaster has damaged homes, classrooms and medical facilities and disrupted roads, bridges, water systems and telecommunications infrastructure.
“Our entire organization exists because children should not be forgotten when something terrible happens,” Chapin said. “We know what families go through when they don't know where someone they love is.”
Supporting UNICEF's Response
Campaign funds will support UNICEF's emergency response for affected children and families, including assistance related to health, nutrition, shelter, water and sanitation, education and child protection. UNICEF is currently appealing for $17.2 million to sustain its emergency response and early recovery efforts in Nepal.
The Foundation will document its contribution to UNICEF and provide an update following the transfer of campaign proceeds.
“We are hoping and praying that our volunteer is found safe,” Chapin said. “But while we're waiting, there are children in Nepal who need help right now.”
Support the National Nepal Relief Campaign
Youth Peace & Justice Foundation
National Nepal Relief Campaign
Net proceeds from the campaign will be donated to UNICEF to support emergency assistance for children and families affected by the disaster in Nepal.
Donate through BENEVITY PARTNERS
The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as the Uvalde Foundation For Kids, is a national nonprofit organization focused on youth violence prevention, emergency response, healing, empowerment and support for children and families facing crisis.
The Foundation was established following the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Its work has since expanded beyond Uvalde and Texas to support children, families and communities affected by violence, disasters and other emergencies.
Media Contact: Jennifer West
Youth Peace & Justice Foundation
National Office
Youth Peace & Justice Foundation
The Uvalde Foundation For Kids
(254) 499-8027
Charity ID: 88-3268749
www.theuvaldefoundation.com [theuvaldefoundation.com]
