Story by Ma Isabela AC Agawin | Photo by Jim B Akut II

The Xavier University community lit up candles and gathered outside the University Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary to offer a solidarity prayer for the victims of the Nepal earthquake May 7, Thursday.

The student-led activity, frontlined by the Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana – Social Involvement Office (KKP-SIO) volunteers in coordination with XU - United Religious Organization (XU-URO), was aimed at raising awareness and drawing humanitarian actions to hasten the rehabilitation of Nepal after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake.

As of this press time, the death toll in Nepal stands more than 7 thousand with 3 thousand fatalities. There are still about 400 people missing.

The student volunteers have placed prayer requests for Nepal on pews inside the university church for the people to include the petitions in their prayers.

“As one community, we need to let them know that they are not alone, like during our experiences in [the aftermath of typhoons] Yolanda and Sendong,” said Gimar A Reyes, chairperson for the KKP-SIO volunteer center.

“We want the students to get involved and express their deep sympathy for Nepal. We need to feel [their struggle] and be in solidarity with them.”