SLC humanitarian group shifts focus to help earthquake victims


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SALT LAKE CITY – A Utah man is behind one of the humanitarian efforts underway in Nepal, after a deadly earthquake that occured there Saturday.

“I’m heartbroken by the images you see on television,” said James Mayfield, co-founder of CHOICE Humanitarian.

Mayfield's organization works to end extreme poverty by empowering people — many who live on less than $1.25 a day — with leadership skills. He and others work with impoverished villages in Lamjung, which is near the epicenter of the 7.8-magnitude quake.

“Many of them are out of electricity. There’s not potable water available. Some of them have lost their homes,” Mayfield said, who just returned from a five-week trip to Nepal.

Mayfied said the 30-member staff, including its in-country director Bishnu Adhikari, is safe. Adhikari was featured in the 2014 documentary Meet the Mormons.

“Bishnu Adhikari is like my own brother, and I know they are suffering and in great pain,” Mayfield said.

He said Adhikari will work with other organizations and churches to get much-needed resources.

“Obviously there will be needs for food, maybe blankets and medicine,” Mayfield said.


“I’m heartbroken by the images you see on television.” -James Mayfield, CHOICE Humanitarian co-founder

CHOICE Humanitarian sends families on expeditions to Nepal. The next group was supposed to leave in 10 days.

The organization is now reassessing its development strategy so it can help with emergency needs, Mayfield said.

“The most important need right now would be the resources, the donations that would help us buy and provide the supplies they might need,” he said.

Despite the devastation, Mayfield is confident the people will rebuild.

“The Nepali people are an amazing people and they have that resilient spirit that tells me that despite the challenges they face, there will be better days,” he said.

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