In the wake of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal just one year ago today, on April 25, 2015, killing more than 8,000 people and injuring more than 21,000, there was a desperate need for aid. Homes, schools, healthcare facilities and roads were destroyed, and countries around the world donated to relief efforts.

At Capital Funding Group, the disaster took on a personal note when we discovered one of our employees, Pushpa Subedi, who has worked as an underwriter at CFG for 12 years, grew up in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu.

“When I first heard about the earthquake, I was very upset,” Subedi said. “The house I grew up in was destroyed and a few family members lost houses. The landmarks I saw growing up were falling down, roads were destroyed, people became homeless. It hits you pretty hard when you see a place where you grew up destroyed.”

One year later, many schools and healthcare facilities, along with roads, have yet to be reconstructed.

When Jack Dwyer, Chairman of the Board/Sole Owner at Capital Funding Group, learned about this, he immediately stepped up to contribute $50,000 from CFG toward reconstruction efforts.

“He is just an incredibly generous person,” Subedi said. “I immediately reached out to my family for assistance in determining how to make the biggest impact. It was important to me to know the donation was making a true impact on the community. Because we had the opportunity to make a direct donation, we know that the funds are going directly to those who need it most.”

CFG has directed $35,000 in funds for the rebuilding of a school in a remote village (Shree Kapilas Madhyamik Bidhyalaya), and $15,000 to rebuild a small health post (Adharbhoot Swastha Sewa Bikas Karyakram Samstha).

“We’re thankful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and their families in this town,” Dwyer said. “Education is so crucial to success, and we hope that the school will be a happy and healthy learning environment very soon.”

Subedi hopes the school reconstruction will be complete by early 2017 and plans to visit to see the finished building.