Dear Sajhaities,

I have come across this organization based on US but workin for Nepali childresn. As we speak everyday about what could be done in Nepal, I found this organization very effection and they have proved it so far. I am very sure there are of the similar organizations. It's not a competition nor I am trying to advertise here. I am not yet  a member of this organiazation.

I humble request to everyone of you to visit their website (namastenepaldotorg) and donate whaterver way you can.  

Please read a short infor about the organization:

Namaste Nepal- Helping Himalayan Children, Inc. is a nonprofit PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION and is not organized for the private gain of any person. It is organized under the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law for public and charitable purposes. The specific purpose of this corporation is to empower Nepalese children and communities through educational enrichment by building libraries, mentoring and teaching English and teachers, providing scholarships, supporting sports and the arts throughout rural Nepal. The organization will encourage interactive mutually beneficial relationships between Nepalese children and communities and those in the USA and from around the world.

The Mission Statement of Namaste Nepal –Helping Himalayan Children is:

"Our mission is to enhance the social, emotional and educational growth of Himalayan children through collaborative projects that support their communities, are based on mutual respect, and maintain the dignity of the Nepalese culture."

Namaste Nepal –Helping Himalayan Children, Inc. is a new organization that has emerged from the President of NNHHC’s experiences of prior volunteer work in Nepal.

  Heather Guay, a therapist and educator from Southern California, has been volunteering in Nepal for the past three years. She first visited Nepal in Dec. 2007 where she raised funds to provide scholarships to underprivileged girls and as she continued to work in Nepal by returning each year, gradually saw a need that she felt needed to be filled.

After discussing the projects for building more libraries and maintaining them, providing additional support to schools and education in a variety of ways, while also maintaining respect and support for the Nepalese culture, NNHHC came into existence. This work has been made possible by the generous support and collaborative work of Digumber Piya, President/Co-founder of NNHHC in Nepal. Digumber comes from a long history of philanthropy, social work, business, and work in the sexual and reproductive health field. Heather and Digumber both are on the Board of Directors and have worked with Empower Nepali Girls for the past few years, but both desired to do more to help the children in Nepal, including boys and girls, and all community members who need support.

Last summer, Heather and Digumber worked to present a successful twelve-day training for teachers in Bandipur, Nepal, where teachers from around the local villages attended and learned many different teaching strategies and how to support students in learning. A nine-week mentor/ English language classes were given to scholarship girls, local women, and different business leaders. The first, Children’s Library was built and established, thus providing a beautiful local community library for children and adults or all ages, all castes, all abilities to enjoy and learn.

All of these elements of the summer 2009 experience have provided the foundation and the base of Namaste Nepal – Helping Himalayan Children.

We each have something to give/share and to learn/receive regardless of any factor ~ we all belong, we each can help improve the quality of life of others. 

 PROJECTS:

As funds allow our goals include building future Children’s Library in different villages in Nepal. The next Children’s Library will be built in Sarunpur, Chitwan area.  With each library built, we request the support of the community in donating a building/space for the library that is centrally located and accessible to the “community members”. We utilize and request the local help of carpenters, electricians, and other “workers” in building/constructing the library. Once we have the interior of the library constructed we then bring the books and supplies in to fill the library. We buy most books and items from Etka Book Store in Kathmandu, but also ship and bring items with us when we come. We accept and need lap tops, educational games, puzzles, and learning items. We are open to supporting and providing educational materials to local schools and showing them how to utilize these items as well.

Our goal is to continue step by step opening libraries and providing volunteer teacher trainings, mentoring, and English classes. Where we see a need for a project, we hope to bring this genuine need forth and utilize our resources and networks to help fill these needs. That is our genuine desire.

Each library can cost at base about $3,000.00 and then of course we need to consider ongoing upkeep, librarian salary, and other expenses. We currently have raised enough with the help of Lourdes and Rachel and their marathon fundraisers to build the next library this winter. We are hoping through our next fundraising projects to raise more funds to support Bandipur in adding $500.00 in more books, and possibly opening a third library site as well.

There is more information on the Nepal Newsletter, which is attached. Digumber Piya is willing also to speak with anyone concerning these matters. Also, Mr. Piya will be visiting the USA this summer and we will be presenting to several groups throughout the USA ~ if you are interested, perhaps we could all meet as well.

Thank you all for your time and serious consideration. Let's make our country a better place.

Anil