UPDATE: Quake victims become helpers

THEY went to Nepal to do mission work – little did they know how they have been sent there to become part of a worldwide rescue operation.

Richards Bay’s Laura Bleakley together with her husband Andy and their two children Hadassah (3) and Asher (5) found themselves in the middle of the worst earthquake to have hit Nepal in eight decades.

The family fortunately survived the 7.8-magnitude quake on Saturday, which was yesterday (Wednesday) reported to have claimed more than 5 000 lives.

As hundreds of thousands of people still huddle in temporary camps with limited food and water, the Bleakleys have rolled up their sleeves to help the Kathmandu International Study Centre (KISC) clean piles of wreckage from the capital’s walkways and roads.

‘A number of perimeter walls had fallen and were blocking the paths around the area where we live,’ said Andy.

‘We got together with our neighbours, who also work at KISC, and started clearing rubble.

‘Before we knew it, about 20 people had joined us and as they say, many hands make light work.

‘In a way broken walls speak of death and it was a great way to be proactive and do something small that brings life.

‘People simply needed someone to start the process.’

According to the United Nations (UN), more than eight million people have been affected by the quake and 10 000 people have been injured.

‘A number of people are still staying at the KISC shelter and are not able to go home yet as their houses have dangerous cracks,’ said Andy yesterday.

‘We are glad to be back at our home from staying at the shelter, but are still staying outside with our landlords.

‘Tomorrow, a few of us hope to cycle around the city trying to identify those who need food and water and see if we can meet those immediate needs.’