News
Read stories and updates from our work with the children of Nepal. To find our old newsletters from 2003 to 2018, visit the archive! Otherwise, click in the search bar below to locate blogs on a topics you’re interested in.
Emergency Supply Kits for the Contact Center
During this troubling time, BSF staff in Nepal are hard at work making sure our Contact Center children and their families are prepared. They are some of the most at-risk population in Nepal, a country whose health and utility infrastructure makes outbreaks like this especially difficult to deal with.
Inspiring Work at the Contact Center
Rachana Rajbhandari, BSF’s Contact Center Coordinator, tells the story of her work and the little successes that keep her inspired. She recalls seeing children come in from horrible situations and how the Contact Center empowers them to become the best Nepali citizens they can be.
Our Wish for a Wonderful New Year
Our Board President Jim Craig wishes everyone a good new year and shares Mitrata’s 2020 strategies to fulfill its 5-year strategic plan goals.
Learning to Read Maps
Jim Brasunas, Mitrata sponsor, teaches some of the secondary school kids about the art of map reading — and folding! What a fun class for everyone!
Christmas Celebrations at the Contact Center
The Contact Center kids celebrate Christmas with a surprise visit from Santa, special gifts, and a big meal!
Keeping warm and sleeping well this winter
BSF Board member Yogesh recounts giving the Contact Center children blankets and flannel sheets for the winter. In these cold nights, we hope this will help our children sleep better each night and come prepared to learn at school!
After-School Program Successes!
An update on the after-school program started this spring; it’s running smoothly and making life easier for the parents of Mitrata kids working hard into the evenings to provide for their families. As an organization always looking for ways to better serve our families, what more could we ask for?
Contact Center Expands and After School Program Starts!!
Christine and the other trip-goers see the progress on the expansion of the Contact Center, including a new after school program! They also eat lunch and have little fun dancing with the kids, too.
A response to NYTimes.com: "I Am Not Untouchable. I Just Have My Period."
Long-time sponsor Pam Hughes responds to the New York Times article about menstrual shaming in Nepal. The Mitrata program gives our girls the opportunity to go to school and grow up feeling supported, loved, and free to express themselves.
Tuesday in Nepal
While most of the group wandered off to Thamel to finish their shopping expeditions, Child sponsors Arlene and Steve took off with BSF Program Coordinator, Aleesh to spend time with our oldest teenagers, college students and staff at the BSF office in Sukedhara. Arlene and Steve presented an “inspiring or very inspiring” (the kid’s words!) training on risk taking, awareness, addiction and grounding. The young adults appeared truly interested, attentive and appreciative. Hewie’s beautiful daylily pictures served as a symbolic representation of the varying effects of the marijuana plant. Many plants can be manipulated by growers and not all plants can be safe for consumption. The group was particularly moved by Steve’s story of addiction and recovery and they gobbled up his books on the 12 Step process. We appreciate the hard work of the BSF staff for arranging and attending this training....thanks for the tea and cookies too.