Charity sees outpouring of concern over quake

Sisters has strong ties to Nepal, where a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake last weekend has claimed at least 4,000 lives.

Ten Friends, founded by Sisters teachers Mark Lamont and Rand Runco, supports a school and an orphanage in that Himalayan nation and has provided medical and rescue equipment and water filtration there for almost two decades. Over the years, dozens of Sisters students and educators have visited Nepal in support of Ten Friends' programs.

On Sunday evening, Runco, Lamont, and Sally Benton issued a statement to local supporters regarding the status of their friends and employees in Nepal and directing donations toward international relief agencies.

"Ten Friends has received many questions about how to contribute to relief efforts for the earthquake in Nepal. Also there have been questions about our network of friends and the people involved in the programs that Ten Friends supports in Nepal.

"We have learned that the girls at our HEC hostel and Sunita, our beloved friend and employee are OK. As far as we know their immediate families are alright as well. We have heard that Dinesh, our friend and employee in Kathmandu, is safe but we have not been able to contact him directly. We await information from him regarding his family, our sponsored children and the Hopeful Home orphanage children in Kathmandu. The phones and Internet are down there. When we get more information we'll post it on our website homepage and our Ten Friends Project Facebook page.

"This tragedy has claimed thousands of lives and will take massive efforts lasting months and years to rebuild and recover. Right now the people of Nepal need immediate disaster relief support. We ask that you donate directly to organizations such as Mercy Corps with any immediate donations. Their website is at www.mercycorps.org. Mercy Corps is set up for disaster relief and they are on the ground in Nepal already. Today they distributing emergency supply kits, and are working on shelter kits. In time there will certainly be opportunities for Ten Friends to participate in the recovery effort.

"Hopefully we will find out more details about our friends in Kathmandu soon and will let you know promptly. This is a sad time for Nepal. We really appreciate your concerns, questions, and support for the wonderful people of Nepal."

The Mercy Corps Nepal relief fund can be accessed at: http://www.mercycorps.org/donate/survivors-need-your-help-now.

Runco expressed concern for the ongoing impacts the disaster will have in a country that already had fragile and incomplete infrastructure. He is particularly concerned about access to water and medical attention.

"It's one of those places that's a great place to be - until you get hurt or sick," he said.

For more information on Ten Friends, visit www.tenfriends.org.