A wonderful partnership: Karma Thalo Foundation and Mitrata
Mitrata began an official partnership with Karma Thalo Foundation (KTF) in 2016 and it has grown throughout the years. We are proud to collaborate with this organization, whose goal is to improve the health of people in Nepal by serving residents in a remote village along the Indigenous Peoples Trail. Medical care is notoriously unavailable to people in remote villages and also to economically poor families. There is no health insurance and all medical care has to be paid at the time of service. So many people simply do not get medical care.
Karma Thalo in Nepali means a place where you do your good deeds. The mission of Karma Thalo Foundation is to deliver sustainable health programs to the poor of Nepal, improving the quality of life through access to medical care and health education. Medical and non-medical volunteers with KTF run multi-day clinics that provide medical, dental, and vision care to local residents. Like Mitrata, KTF also coordinates with an NGO in Nepal to carry out their work. They also work with Nepali medical personnel to create a “medical trek” that best meets the needs of local patients.
While in Nepal, KTF also provides much needed medical care to Mitrata’s children by conducting a medical clinic for our children, their families, and BSF staff, serving around 150 people at any given time. Karma Thalo said that they are “proud to provide health care and nutrition to the children of Mitrata Nepal” and that their goal “is to make a lasting difference in these children's lives through better health.” KTF has also generously supported our breakfast program and our other, multiple protein-rich meals served to our Contact Center and after-school children. These additions are important to ensure that our children have healthy BMI’s and can concentrate and succeed in school.
Mitrata’s collaboration has greatly increased through the years. Cindy Whitney, KTF volunteer, now sits on the Mitrata Board of Directors and is our liason to KTF activities and several KTF volunteers are now sponsors of our Mitrata children.
Dr. Christine Schutz, Mitrata’s Executive Director and Founder said of the Mitrata-KTF partnership: “We at Mitrata share a vision with KTF of improving the lives of needy children in Nepal. Who knew that we would find such a wonderful partner right here in Saint Louis? KTF is such an amazing, energetic dedicated group of professionals! I am so grateful to Karma Thalo for the many ways they support Mitrata and for keeping our children healthy and well.”
If you want to learn more about Karma Thalo Foundation, please visit their website at: http://karmathalofoundation.org/
