Kathmandu Voices : August 2015

Responding to Nepal's Needs

Last summer (2015) I fulfilled my dream of planning my own volunteer trip to Nepal. I began creating my project many months before the massive earthquake hit in April, 2015. Even with the added risk and uncertainty, I felt it was more important than ever to carry out my plans.

For years I had been longing to return to Nepal where I attended a Tibetan school in 2010. I was excited for the opportunity to give something back to the beautiful, fragile cultures of the Himalayan people. There are so many needs in Nepal, but I chose to volunteer teach at the same school where I was a student five years earlier.

Another goal was to somehow share the amazing, tragic and beautiful stories of the Nepali and Tibetan people. To do this I interviewed several individuals, and produced a series of videos to post on my YouTube channel. These are the "Kathmandu Voices" that I want to share...

You can view this old video about my project, understanding that my original goals changed somewhat based on the earthquake aftermath, and the needs of the school and students with which I worked.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Our fundraising efforts this winter and spring was so successful, that

we have extra funds to share with needy families. We used your donations conservatively and carefully, and therefore have nearly $1,500 still to give. I decided to use this to fully fund a poor child's education, from nursery through 5th grade. This 8-year sponsorship (approx. $350/year) will truly change the life of 3-year old TENZIN CHOEDON and her family. (she is the middle child in the photo below)

Her mother escaped from Tibet in 2004, crossing a snowy pass in the Khumbu region disguised as a boy in a yak caravan. She is now hand-weaving colorful cloth, earning ~$10 per week. Tenzin's father works as a day laborer whenever possible, which occasionally brings in 200Rps., or $2 per day. They could never afford the high quality education provided byManasarovar Academy Nepal without long term financial support.

The generosity of families, friends and donors like YOU has made this possible! We are feeling deep heartfelt GRATITUDE to all who have supported the people of Nepal in so many ways!!!