Autrey Mill Middle School Sponsors a Nepal House Fundraiser to Promote Awareness

I am so excited as I write this blog. If you read more about how Kylesh, my brother, founded the Nepal House US Chapter, the initial spark came from a grade 8 school wide assignment at Autrey Mill Middle School.  Now, I am in grade 8 following in his footsteps and this year has turned to be very special for Nepal House.

Autrey Mill is very focused on developing global citizens who take time to understand the larger societal surroundings and needs. One such exercise that they embrace is called the IMPACT project. This year long assignment pushes students to think deeply about organizations that create a positive IMPACT in the world today. Which organizations impact humanity in a positive way? What do they do at a selfless level for the world? How is the organization run and what is the vision that drives this effort?

Students are asked investigate the details to better understand and explain to their peers. When my brother went through the process two years back, it led him to the monumental decision to home school for his grade nine year to create a foundation and start a school halfway around the world.

The most amazing aspect is that Autrey Mill has not stood by but given him encouragement to achieve this goal to show IMPACT. As a small example, the school secretary Ms. Betsy Jacks, was the first to step up at the school and donate to the cause when the US Chapter was started more than a year back and we had a challenge in raising initial funds.

This year as you walk into the school, there is a candy drive being run by student council and sponsor teachers that is symbolic mechanism to raise awareness and support for Nepal House efforts. Students and teachers are challenging each other to fundraise and sponsor some very key efforts that are taking place at the moment. The team in Nepal is working hard to plan for the next class of 12 underprivileged Nepali 5 year old girls. They require desks, uniforms, nutrition, education, therapy and a healing environment as they receive love and encouragement.

Go Autrey Mill - I am so proud of your support!!!

Saika Sharma

Nepal House US Chapter Member 

Nepal House Kids Participated in a Children’s Radio Program

In 27^th December 2011, four girls from Nepal House Girls School got an opportunity to participate in the children’s program on Chunununu Radio,  Pokhara. They sang many songs. They also talked about their favorite food, music, and games. Radio Chunumunu is the first Nepali childrens FM radio station. One of our past clients who went through the counseling process in the Nepal House Therapy Center some years back, is now working as a radio person in Radio Chunumunu. It was very exciting and great news for us that she invited our some of the girls to come and speak in the children’s program.  Nepal House Girls School teacher Deepa Karki, was with the children at that time. The very exciting thing was rest of the girl were listening to their friends on the radio at Nepal House and they were laughing and thrilled. What a nice experience.

Basanta (Nepal House Kaski Team)

Nepal House Girls School is located in the Kaski District in the city of Pokhara

As The New Year Approaches

We have a lot to be thankful for, especially with supporters like you! As the girls enter their 8th month in school, the teachers and support staff in Pokhara, Nepal, are constantly looking to provide the best environment that they can - in terms of education, health, nutrition and general well being.

Recently, the team relocated to a better and bigger facility just down the street. So, a new year brings about new changes for the entire group!

For the US Chapter, the 5K Run was an incredible one year milestone of the organization. More than 40 people showed up to the Run as supporters or as actual participants - for those of you who donated, supported and were a part of this success, there is a special newsletter that is coming to you soon via email. You were the reason for our progress in achieving this milestone. We are all volunteers here in the US and it means so much when you embrace this cause with us.

From the Nepal Team, we wish you a wonderful year ahead and many more opportunities to share our progress with the Nepal House Girls School.

NAMASTE!!

US Chapter Team

Join Us at These Upcoming Fall Events

1st Annual Nepal House 5K Run
The US Chapter is now officially a year old and the kindergarten has now been operational for six months!!! Thank you to all of the past donors and supporters of the Girls School. To mark this milestone, we are challenging our friends, family and well wishers the chance to join us at this inaugural event. Every little bit of change helps and if you are a benefactor, I would love to talk to you more about longer term support of this unique effort in Nepal. Not only are building a Model School Program but also fighting against child slavery, child prostitution, child trafficking and child illiteracy. I now I am only a teen but knowing that the children I am supporting are my younger siblings' age under such challenging circumstances is important. Did you know that the average walking distance a child that is lucky to attend school in this region has to walk a minimum of 5K one way?!
By creating a 5K event, it's an awareness builder - take a walk through the website and please end up on the DONATE tab. Support the participant who reached out to you by donating and clicking on their name in the Program Designation...or becoming a participant and raising pledges for the operations of the Girls School. Email us on the Contact Page and we will share more information.
When: November 12th
Where: Webb Bridge Park in Alpharetta
Who: A number of amazing supporters young and younger
 
Namaste,
Kylesh Sharma
US Chapter Founder

Giving is Living

We live in very interesting times - the global recession has created a platform for the expression of freedom at an unforeseen historical level around the world. Whether it is the concerned marches in many countries or the physical battles to secure democracy; when human beings unite -- it's a powerful thing. The power of the media, emotions and a focus for cause can create great movement. It is also a time when some of the poorest people in the world suffer like no other. I was recently horrified to learn from another Board Member of the atrocities related to organ trafficking in Nepal...
 
Poverty stricken farmers by the dozens are being coerced into donating a kidney in return for money so that they can save their land from payment default. Only, when the surgery has been completed under very shady practices, not only is the poor soul given less than promised, his health is compromised and the land is usually seized.

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/nepal-poor-swindled-by-organ-traffickers/414197
 
At times like these, the helping hand has to be stronger than the stealing hand. It's easy to give an apple if you have 10 in hand. It is so much harder when you only have 1 apple and are also hungry. At times like these, supporting the next generation in impoverished nations like Nepal has never been more important. I am so blessed to be part of an effort to ease the suffering of young girls in a nation that unfairly places them in subordinate levels of life. This opportunity must remain strong so that these girls can become bedrocks in their community.
 
Neil Sharma (Board Member)