GP-ji, It's all right if there are many Nepali organisations in the US and elsewhere. There need not be one or a few Nepali organisations that attempt to speak to/about all Nepalis. Let diversity and variety of organisations be a measure of our collective strength and not of some weakness. And so, let there be more organisations, more Nepali community leaders of various shapes, sizes and statures who do more activities, run more and varied Nepal-related discussions and all that. All these, I would think, in aggregate, add up to enhancing the Nepali identity around the world, however that's defined. Here's an example of what one organisation has done. Thanks to my long-time friend SD for sending this. oohi ashu ************ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Berkeley, CA. - December 4, 2004 More than two hundred Nepalis, Americans, and Nepali-American friends and families swung to the rhythm of ?resham firiri?, ?laichhau besana", and the heart touching melodies of the ?basuri? (flute) for the annual Himalayan Evening by the Bay fundraising event of Ama Foundation. This event marks the fourth year that Ama Foundation has held its annual fundraiser in Berkeley, CA. The evening brought together Nepali expatriates and Americans who are fond of Nepal for a three-hour gathering with Nepali food, sale and auction of various Nepali and Himalayan items mixed with offerings of American art and face painting. Guests were entertained by both Nepali and American performers, creating a fusion of East and West, in an effort to raise funds for the most underprivileged and abandoned children of Nepal. ?Even though many of us are not physically in the country, our hearts have not forsaken Nepal. We, together with the American friends and families that we have formed on this side of the world, are trying to do what we can to make a difference in the lives of children who otherwise would have had no future,? said Shrawan Nepali, the founder of Ama Foundation. Shrawan Nepali himself is no stranger to the plight of these children. He was raised in Paropakar Orphanage in Kathmandu. After completing an M.B.A. degree in the US and a successful career he decided to dedicate his life to helping others. This sentiment of ?giving back? to Nepal was also echoed by Bonnie Ellison, Managing Director of AmaGhar, the home for children in Nepal funded by Ama Foundation. ?Through bringing people together in these events, we can raise awareness and funds to do the work of supporting children at AmaGhar. We currently have many plans for the future, including construction of our own building and the fundraising event helps towards those goals.? Her father, O.T. Ellison, was part of the first American group to arrive in Nepal in 1956. Bonnie spent much of her childhood in the country. She took an early retirement to serve the Nepali people, as her father had done years before. Himalayan Evening by the Bay is one of the many fundraising events of Ama Foundation. The foundation has other activities through its chapters in Seattle, WA and Davis, CA. Due to the untiring efforts of the Seattle Chapter, Swedish Medical Center, a premier hospital in the region, and Dr. Alfred Blue, a well-renowned surgeon at the hospital, recently donated burn surgery for Sushila K.C. from AmaGhar. Sushila, age 8, had impaired growth due to severe burn scars in 40% of her body. The publicity that Sushila?s treatments received has created remarkable interest in the plight of poor and abandoned Nepali children in Seattle and the surrounding areas. Ama Foundation continues to raise funds and generate awareness about the situation of such Nepali children through its activities in various parts of America. About Ama Foundation: The Ama Foundation was founded to provide a refuge for abandoned and underprivileged children in Nepal. The Ama Foundation?s goal is to build and staff facilities that will allow these children who might otherwise die or live in destitute conditions to have a warm and happy home, to get a good education and a chance at a life of being a self-sufficient, productive Nepali citizen. About AmaGhar: AmaGhar is the children?s facility in Kathmandu, Nepal funded by Ama Foundation. This facility opened in August of 2001. AmaGhar opened with 14 children and has now grown to 37 resident children. Their ages range from 4 to 22 years. Some are orphans; some were being raised by impoverished single parents or grandparents. All of these children had tragic beginnings; their lives had little hope. Now, at AmaGhar there is hope, love, food, health care and education provided by live-in housemothers and tutors. Currently AmaGhar is in a rented house with a garden and play area surrounded by farms, mountains and public parks where the children have opportunities to learn and explore.