BC - How's it going ? I guess I am with you to a certain point. But the ANA is not about assimilation, is it? At least not according to it's purposes and goals (see below). ANA was not founded for that purpose - rather, according to those stated goals, it seems it's objectives are far from assimilation - sometimes contrary to assimilation. Which I think was one of your points earlier and I am with you there. Where I loose you, is why expect the ANA or GBNC or one of the ethnic Samaj's to help their people assimilate - they were not founded for that - au contraire, they were founded to preserve cultures that might get lost because of assimilation even if it means there are some down sides to doing so. Such organizations clearly seem to believe that mutli-culturalism (as opposed to assimilation) is the way to go. At least thats the sense I get. Which is a legitimate goal in a society like America which, at many levels, encourages multi-culturalism. Therefore they tend to attract people who are like minded.Which may not be you and me (to some extent at least) but there are vast numbers of people here who dont want to or cannot assimilate (because language, educational barriers etc) and I say live and let live - let people have any organization they want and do what they want. Why break our heads over it? :P LOL!! I'd rather that people join an organization that teaches them entrepreneurship or something but that's just me. To each his own. Who am I to tell them what to do, no? :) And woops looks like this is becoming a conversation about assimilation versus multi culturalism after all :) ########################## http://www.anaonline.org/about/ Purpose The purpose of the exclusively educational and charitable Association of Nepalis in the Americas is to promote preservation of Nepali identity and culture in the Americas, to foster cordial relations among Nepalis and Americans, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the participation of Nepali-Americans in the communities they live in. Goals * Continuity and promotion of the cultural, religious, linguistic, historical, and educational heritage of Nepal * Promotion and encouragement of dance, drama, and the art heritage of Nepal * Recreation and meditation center for Nepalis, Americans, and International guests * Research library and referral materials * Conference and meeting place for Nepalis and Friends of Nepal * Information for tourism, white water rafting, mountaineering, and trekking * ANA scholarship project for Nepali students from remote areas of Nepal * Nepali safe drinking water and medical assistance program for rural Nepal * Nepal emergency and disaster fund * Nepali school project for development of more schools in Nepal