The phrase “Making a difference one child at a time” is not just Mitrata’s tagline – for me, it evokes that pivotal moment in my life in 2002, when my heart broke open witnessing the poverty and suffering of children in Nepal, the poorest country in South Asia. I had never seen such deprivation before in my life, and it affected me deeply. While trekking, I met a young orphan girl named Ishwori, who was desperately going from house to house in the village to get food and shelter. She was very sick with pneumonia and had no access to healthcare. When my eyes locked on hers, I knew I could not leave her, as I would be haunted by her face forever. So, I made a commitment to help her live the healthy and happy life that she deserved.

Since that time, Mitrata has kept that same commitment to all of our children. We strongly believe that each child is unique and can be free of poverty with the right kind of support system. Children are all different in many ways, varying in their talents and abilities, likes and dislikes, but they all deserve our assistance. Unlike some organizations providing only education or serving only the “smartest” of poor children or only those who embrace a particular religious ideology, Mitrata helps children with mental, educational, and physical disabilities as well as academically gifted children. We work with them in a holistic way but one tailored to each child’s needs. We persevere to see them through to adulthood and independence. We respect their religious affiliations and never seek to influence them. We also recognize that our children’s extend beyond education: children from poor families are best able to succeed and grow when they have access to social, emotional, medical, educational and environmental support; to this end, we provide more services such as counseling, career guidance, training for mothers, empowerment workshops, after school programs, nutritious meals, and a school readiness/Montessori day program.

The result is that children in Mitrata programs are often the first in their families to get an education, which then lifts the whole family out of the vicious cycle of poverty that is so common in Nepal. Educating a child offers tremendous positive socio-economic improvement for their family and, in turn, their community as a whole. This is how we make a difference in an entire village by making a difference one child at a time.

Upon reflection, meeting Ishwori was a great gift to me, such an amazing opportunity to directly change just one person’s life in a positive way and to see the rippling effect of that change. At the time, I had no idea that 17 years later in 2019, she would graduate with a social work education. She has become an amazing, compassionate young woman entering her community to make a difference of her own and our meeting led to Mitrata supporting 125 children, enrolling new children and graduating students ready to be on their own every year. This fact still totally amazes me!

Being a sponsor, donor, board member, or volunteer to Mitrata is participating with me in “Making a difference one child at a time.” I have seen first-hand the joy and fulfillment that this has brought to our children and their sponsors and donors throughout the years. It is a testimony to the ability of an individual person to really make a difference in the world, even when the world seems in need of so much. The suffering can seem overwhelming, while one person’s efforts can seem so small. It reminds me of the story of the starfish that I think is so lovely:

One day, an old man was walking along a beach that was littered with thousands of starfish that had been washed ashore by the high tide. As he walked, he came upon a young boy who was eagerly throwing the starfish back into the ocean, one by one. Puzzled, the man looked at the boy and asked what he was doing. Without looking up from his task, the boy simply replied, “I’m saving these starfish, Sir.” The old man chuckled aloud, “Son, there are thousands of starfish and only one of you. What difference can you make?” The boy picked up a starfish, gently tossed it into the water and turning to the man, he said, “I made a difference to that one!”

As we close another year of our lives in the USA, I thank you for opening your heart to our children in a country halfway around the world and for your dedication to provide continuing support to the Mitrata-Nepal Foundation for Children. There is no way that we could be where we are today without you! May your New Year be filled with joy and love and may you never forget that you really are “Making a difference one child at a time” – and what a huge difference that makes.

Peace and love,

Dr. Christine Schutz, Executive Director and Founder

How We Make a Difference One Child at a Time

Keeping warm and sleeping well this winter

Giving Thanks for a Great Trip, Wonderful Friends!