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.
The Power of Child First
My experiences in Kathmandu have been wonderful, but none more wonderful than my time spent with the children. The driving concept behind all decisions made by Mitrata and it’s partner organization BSF is Child First. With this in mind, I attended the graduation ceremony for four remarkable young adults who have gone through the program and have now graduated into the real world. They are living evidence of the power of the concept of child first, and are thriving thanks to the dedication of the staff, the enduring force of human nature and the desire hidden within even the most severely underprivileged children to excel in life, and to give back to the community that helped them achieve their dreams. All have completed advanced education, and are working in restaurant management, as a chef, and as a businessperson. One young woman completed an on-line MBA from the prestigious Wharton School of Business. Sponsors, thank you for making all of this possible.
Heart and Soul of Our Journey
Our trip to Chitwan with a small group of fellow Mitrata travelers (while others were in Pokhara) was the heart and soul of our (Bonnie and Gordon’s) journey to Nepal. For more than 13 years we have supported Sudan Adhikari who is beginning his fourth year at Chitwan Medical College, studying to be a doctor. This was our first meeting. We arrived at the teaching hospital and as our group waited someone said, “there’s Sudan”. We saw a serious young man, a medical student, approaching and recognized the boy we first met as a photograph 13 years ago. The meeting was a bit awkward but filled with emotion. We felt pride in his accomplishments but it was somewhat like we were meeting a member of the family after a long separation. As we found our way into conversation the awkwardness left and was replaced by warmth and smiles.
The pendulum swings again: Our hike to Australian camp
After hectic but joyful days in Kathmandu, we endured a ten hour drive to Pokara that cannot be described on a public blog except to note it should have taken six hours and we learned a lot about Nepali road repair and driving habits! After a quick overnight at the Lakeside Retreat, we were back in the van for another hour to Kande. I was beginning to lose my sense of balance. A walk in nature was just what I needed.
Zootopia, Fashion, and Holiday Traffic
Once again we were treated to the contrast that Nepal offers. Skies were blue as we met the younger children at the pungent Kathmandu Zoo. They were dressed in their holiday best as they collected to sing for us and then take us by the hand, bounced around happily, and used English names for their favorite animals. Some of them met the elephant up close, and the hippo was a big favorite. It showed off its enormous mouth and tongue for everyone before its carrot lunch arrived, and many of the children stood by fascinated while it ate a big bag of carrots. Then we all feasted together on human food of mo-mos and pizza. It is so heart-warming to share their joy and their appetites, knowing they are being cared for and fed and loved by the wonderful staff at the Contact Center.
Shopping with a Purpose
Armed with an extensive shopping list and a strong sense of style, brave shoppers Mamta (a former Mitrata sponsee) and Stephanie (Mamta’s sponsor from 2002-2013) had a marathon (9 hours!) shopping session. Slaphappiness set in after 7 hours. Exhaustion hit soon after. They bought so much that kind Prakash, a wholesale shop owner, had to load his motorcycle with all of the goods and make two deliveries to the hotel.
Testing My Heart, Mind and Body
Each day in this country builds on the last, forming relationships with people who have a vision for the children they seek to help, by exposing us to the culture and people of Nepal. Today, we visited 2 historical sites. We were taken to the scenic temple perched on the hill, surrounded by monkeys that stole the show: Swayambhunath. It was a blend of the religions of Hindu and Buddhism, the huge bronzes of the various deities and magnificent temples, the colors of the trees and then the backdrop of the city with mountains in the distance. Truly a visual treat for the eye!
Overwhelmed and Grateful
Early this morning, seven of us left the hotel at 5:30 am to take an airplane tour of the highest peaks in the Himalayas, including Mt. Everest. It was awesome, beautiful and left me with a sense of how small I really am in this immense world. Maybe some day I’ll post some of those pictures, but not today.
Later in the morning I and several other Mitrata sponsors visited the Contact Center, where the youngest and most severely impoverished children are provided with education, nutrition, health care, and when possible, continuing participation in the program when they are sufficiently prepared to attend school.
Sights, Smells, Sounds & Emotions
Our first day in Nepal was emotional. Nepal is a sea of color with saffron, indigo, marigold and emerald. The colors hit your senses at every turn, as does the sheer size of the crowds, vehicles and motorbikes on the streets. As for the smells, think rich Asian spices, exhaust fumes and incense. In Kathmandu, the sounds are a cacophony of horns from every conceivable kind of vehicle.
Kathmandu Bound- Missed the Typhoon
We were so lucky to miss Typhoon Mangkhut! We made it to Hong Kong on time and are on our way to Kathmandu.
We had a great day at the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. Facts learned- Fact One: 5 people do not fit in a Hong Kong Taxi. Fact two- Hong Kong cleans up quickly after a typhoon that did a lot of damage to trees.
Strategic Planning 2019 - A Long Productive Day
Last weekend we completed our 5 year strategic planning process with our Mitrata Nepal Foundation for Children board and staff members and Leena and Yogesh Satyal from BSF, our partner in Nepal. It was a long day starting at 8:30 am and followed by a great dinner and celebration hosted by long time sponsors, Arlene Miller and Hewie Powell.
We focused on a specific plan for growth by adding 25 more children and another Contact Center, making some improvements in our current programs and relocating our current Contact Center to a larger space. It was a day of high energy, good discussion and brainstorming.