Celebrating 20 Years ofMaking a Difference One Child at a Time

Early Milestones

  • Fall 2002: Christine meets Ishwori

    Christine returns to Nepal with donations from Nancy Williger and Jim Brasunas to help a child in need. Ishwori is found homeless and sick in a village and brought to Kathmandu for treatment, shelter and food.

  • Fall 2002: Nancy becomes our first sponsor

    Even though they didn’t meet until 2009, Nancy became the child sponsor for Ishwori. What developed was an enduring relationship of love, empowerment and support.

  • Winter 2003: Children's Home in Naya Bazaar Opens

    Working with NGO partner Mitrata Nepal Foundation, run by Nanda Kulu, we opened the children’s home in the Kathmandu neighborhood of Naya Bazaar. By winter, we had 9 children in our care living in the children’s home and 11 children supported for education only.

  • Winter 2003: Partnership With our first Private School

    We began sending the children living in the Children’s Home to Manaslu School, a nearby private school, to ensure the children obtain a quality education to prepare for higher education.

  • Winter 2003: Partnership with O.U.E.S.T.

    Leah Schulte, founder of O.U.E.S.T. , a US nonprofit working in Nepal, became our US partner until 2005 when we incorporated as a 501(c)(3). Leah also became a child sponsor. l. to r. Leah, Soni Shrestha & Fulmati Thapa (of O.U.E.S.T. in Nepal), Nanda.

  • Spring 2003: Expansion of Child Sponsorship Program

    The program expanded to support 17 children in the Children’s Home and 13 children for education living with a guardian for a total 30. Since then, 19 child sponsors have been continuously supporting Mitrata since 2002-03.

  • Fall 2003: First Child Sponsor Trip

    What has now become an annual tradition, our first group trip to Nepal began with Christine and continuous child sponsor Gertraud Wild traveling to Nepal to meet her sponsored children. Japanisha, Jermansha and Dinesh. l. to r. Gertraud, Japanisha, Nanda Kulu, School Teacher.

  • Fall 2004: Macrosun Hosts First Fundraiser

    Gil Williams, owner of Macrosun International, hosted many gatherings at his store to help Mitrata find more sponsors. He initially inspired Christine to visit Nepal and linked her with his Nepali friends, who became the foundation of Mitrata in Nepal. Gil has continued to serve Mitrata throughout the years.

  • Fall 2004: Children in Our Care Grow to 45

    By fall 2004, we were caring for 25 children in the children's home and 19 children living with family needing education. We were seeking sponsors in US and finding staff to care for all the children in Nepal. It was a difficult decision for Christine to leave as she received a special sendoff. Hiring Nepali staff was part of our commitment to contribute to Nepal and support our NGO partner.

Christine and Rajan

Message from Dr. Christine Schutz
Founder & Executive Director

In our 20th year of operation, I can truly say that I had no idea in 2002, meeting Ishwori in a village in Nepal would lead to the amazing organization that we are today. Starting with just one child, we have provided education, healthcare and support for over 300 children who are reaching their potential and escaping from a life of poverty. The word “mitrata” means friendship in Nepali and  it has been through the connection and devotion of friends that we have accomplished so much. Join us as we celebrate and honor our friends, sponsors and NGO partners, who opened their hearts to children in need, stuck with us through challenging times and laid the foundation for Mitrata today. You have made a difference in this world and together we continue to pursue our mission to empower children through education and caring support.

Our First Child Sponsors Are Saying

 

“When I started sponsoring a child through Mitrata 20 years ago, I could not have imagined how that connection would change my life. I began sponsoring my first “child”, Mamta, when she was six, and now she is 26 with a six-year-old child of her own! My current sponsored “child”, Pawan, whom I have sponsored since he was nine, is now a thriving teenager. I am honored to call both of these amazing people family! Mitrata has also given me lifelong friendships, and traveling to Nepal with the sponsor group is one of my favorite experiences!”

— Stephanie Recht

 

“We live in a time when I so often find myself asking, “Can I make even a small dent in solving these massive problems in our world?" And then, I look over and see Pawan’s photo on the shelf near my desk and a big “Yes, I can!” wells up deep inside of me. Thanks to the beautiful work of Mitrata Nepal— I can, we can, we all can! Little by little, this is how we can heal this beautiful world!.”

— Shakira (Debra) Shatoff

“When Christine asked us if we could help her new initiative to fund kids in need in Nepal, we were immediately on board and surprised at the amount of help a relatively small amount of U.S. dollars could provide. Thus began a most wonderful journey 20 years ago, including a solemn little 3-year old who grew into a confident and accomplished young Nepali woman and has been like a daughter to us, adventurous trips to Nepal, and a circle of friends who are among the most amazing people in our lives. We’ve been so lucky to be a part of this!”

— Don and Cheryl Apperson

 

“We have had the pleasure of sponsoring two Nepali children since 2004, one of whom we met in person during our visits to Kathmandu in 2008 and 2009. The other shares a birthday with our young grandson. We have loved their delightful art work and letters, and were happy to share our own family news and photos with them.”

— Carolyn and Bob Crowe

 

Our First Advisors

These dedicated, talented and wise people helped Christine plant the seed of Mitrata and had a great impact on our early development, building a solid foundation for our mission of making a difference one child at a time.

 
 

Nancy Williger

Jim Brasunas

Gil Williams

Leah Schulte

Our Early Children

  • Ishwori

    Graduated, completed vocational certificates, living independently and working as a social worker.

  • Rajkumar

    Graduated, BA Business and working in a thriving singing bowl shop that exports all over the world.

  • Pratima

    Graduated, BA Tourism and working as a chef at a luxury hotel in the Maldives.

  • Mamta

    Graduated 12th grade, married with a daughter, co-owning a business with her husband.

  • Rabina

    Graduated, BA Nursing, working as a nurse.

  • Rekha

    Graduated, BA Marketing, married and working as a company representative.

  • Pasang

    Graduated, BA Social Work and living and working as a social worker.

  • Sangeeta

    Graduated, BA Education and working as a teacher.

  • Sudan

    Completing his sixth and final year of medical school with the goal of becoming a rural doctor.

Leena and Yogesh’s Visit and 20th Anniversary Celebration

  • Virtual Sponsor Coffee with Leena and Yogesh

  • Sponsor and Fur Babies Hike

  • In-Person Sponsor Coffee with Leena and Yogesh

  • 20th Anniversary Celebration

  • Exec. Director Christine Schutz and Board President Jim Craig

  • Balram Panthi, Board Members Jennifer Rashet and Nancy Williger

  • Leena and Yogesh Visit Hannibal, MO's Mark Twain Sites

  • Young Professionals Board Dinner with Leena and Yogesh

  • In-Person Sponsor Coffee with Leena and Yogesh

20 Years of Mitrata Slideshow

Sharing Stories of Our Beginning and 20th Year

Featured
2022 Annual Report
20th Anniversary, Annual Report
2022 Annual Report
20th Anniversary, Annual Report

Every year, we make sure to take the time to look back on the challenges and successes of the year before through our Annual Report. Through the 2022 Annual Report, we hope you will see just how much Mitrata has grown and achieved over the last 20 years, and how we are continually working to move forward with our strategic plan and help more children in Nepal.

20th Anniversary, Annual Report
Learn more about Our Partner in Nepal
BSF
Learn more about Our Partner in Nepal
BSF

Over the years, as our partnership has strengthened and Mitrata has grown, BSF has grown as well. Just recently, due to the growing number of Mitrata sponsored children, BSF expanded to add two new staff members. With the addition of new staff members and our recent website updates, it was time for updated staff profiles on the “Our Partner in Nepal” page. The page was also updated to include more information about BSF, and links to other BSF blog posts!

BSF
Farewell 2022, Hello 2023!
Board
Farewell 2022, Hello 2023!
Board

Board President Jim Craig reflects on everything we have accomplished in 2022 and our main goals for 2023. Thank you for your continued support!

Board
Happy Holidays!
BSF, Holiday Bazaar, 20th Anniversary, Miles for Mitrata Kids, Contact Center
Happy Holidays!
BSF, Holiday Bazaar, 20th Anniversary, Miles for Mitrata Kids, Contact Center

Dr. Christine Schutz, Executive Director, reflects on the past year’s events, including the 20th Anniversary Celebration, in-person Holiday Bazaar, and finally returning to Nepal! It was a year filled with many wonderful experiences, and it wouldn’t have been possible without YOU, our Mitrata friends.

BSF, Holiday Bazaar, 20th Anniversary, Miles for Mitrata Kids, Contact Center
Gertraud Wild: One of Mitrata’s First Sponsors
Sponsorship, Nepal Trip, 20th Anniversary
Gertraud Wild: One of Mitrata’s First Sponsors
Sponsorship, Nepal Trip, 20th Anniversary

Although our 20th Anniversary Celebration is over, we are still taking the time to reminisce on the past 20 years. This week, we are sharing a lovely story from Gertraud Wild, one of Mitrata’s first child sponsors. Gertraud was brave enough to go with Christine on the first sponsor trip to Nepal in 2003, despite the country being in a Civil War! Keep reading to learn more about these experiences from Gertraud’s perspective:

Sponsorship, Nepal Trip, 20th Anniversary
Celebrating 20 Years of Mitrata
20th Anniversary, BSF, Board, Planned Giving
Celebrating 20 Years of Mitrata
20th Anniversary, BSF, Board, Planned Giving

On Sunday, September 11, 2022 many of the friends of Mitrata gathered together to celebrate Mitrata’s 20th Anniversary. The celebration lasted from 1:00-5:00pm and was a wonderful open house that allowed Mitrata supporters to catch up with one another.

20th Anniversary, BSF, Board, Planned Giving
Mitrata’s Child Sponsors join Leena & Yogesh for “Sponsor Coffees”
Sponsorship, BSF, Contact Center
Mitrata’s Child Sponsors join Leena & Yogesh for “Sponsor Coffees”
Sponsorship, BSF, Contact Center

While visiting St. Louis, Leena and Yogesh Satyal, the Executive Director and President of the Board of Directors of Bhuvaneshwori Satyal Foundation (BSF) were able to get together with our child sponsors for a cup of coffee while sharing updates on their sponsored children, their progress, and the programs in which they participate in Nepal. As Chair of the Sponsorship Committee, Danny Williger was able to attend most of these “Sponsor Coffees.” Here’s what he had to say about the experience…

Sponsorship, BSF, Contact Center
The Early Children of Mitrata
20th Anniversary, Sponsorship
The Early Children of Mitrata
20th Anniversary, Sponsorship

Mitrata Nepal Foundation for Children was born from Dr. Christine Schutz’s heart for the children of Nepal. Now, as we look back on the past 20 years, we see many familiar faces of our first sponsored children, though they are now young adults. These early children have now completed the program, graduated, and are working in their chosen career fields. Keep reading to hear the stories of nine of Mitrata’s early children and where they are now.

20th Anniversary, Sponsorship