Reflecting On This Past Year
Many countries around the world are opening up. Nepal is no exception with businesses and schools open and international flights allowed without quarantine requirements.
Reflecting on this past year, though Nepal managed to survive the first Covid-19 wave with fewer lives lost than some countries, the second wave was devastating. At least 6,000 people died in around two months during the peak in April. Due to poor tracking, even more people are estimated to have died due to the virus and lack of medical care. Nepal has vaccinated only 27 percent of the total 30 million population.
Health workers spray disinfectant; source: CNBC
Economically, Nepal continues to struggle, and shows signs of backward movement in the economy, with low economic growth, 90% drop in tourism and large numbers of people out of work. With little help from the government, increased poverty and longer-term inequality are expected.
This stark reality of the effects of the pandemic on Nepal highlights even more the need for Mitrata programs which lift families out of poverty through children’s education and support services. We are committed to our mission and to implementing our plans for expansion to serve more children.
The wonderful news is that our children are back in school and have progressed this year against all odds. Five children have graduated to become independent. The staff and older children are vaccinated and our partner BSF did an amazing job of getting our children through the crises of this past year.
Photos from virtual and social distanced schooling
We are very pleased to announce that BSF has recently procured a new, larger building to expand our current Contact Center and are moving in December. This is a 3.5 story building with many classrooms, kitchen and outdoor playground too. Children and their families who live nearby are helping with the move and everyone is so excited!
BSF also found a new and larger building for the office which will also be moved this month. We are so happy to hear that they have found a space which will accommodate more staff to begin the expansion of our programs to serve more children in the coming years. We wish them all a safe and successful move!
Photos from the BSF move
As a result of several thoughtful gifts and over 100 orders to our online Holiday Bazaar, we have exceeded our goal of $30,000 toward the purchase of a mid-sized SUV for our BSF staff in Nepal. Next year, our BSF staff will have a reliable vehicle to travel into the neighborhoods and villages around Kathmandu for both regular checks on our children as well as more urgent needs. When medical emergencies or appointments arise, BSF staff will be able to reach our children and then transport them to receive health care. On a day-to-day basis, they will visit our children at their hostels and schools.
We hosted several local bazaar sale days in addition to our online sale throughout November
In coming months we will share more about these great changes that are only possible due to your generous support and the faith and trust you have placed in Mitrata. We are so very grateful to you as we go into 2022 with hope and dedication to our mutually shared mission.
— Dr. Christine Schutz, Executive Director and Founder