OUR PARTNER IN NEPAL Bhuvaneshwori Satyal Foundation
Nearly 30 years ago, the late Mrs. Bhuvaneshwori Satyal established the Center for Child Studies and Development (CCSD) a program for early childhood education for children of poor and migrant families. In 2009, CCSD became a partner of the Mitrata-Nepal Foundation for Children, Inc. and in 2012, expanded to manage the underprivileged children in our sponsorship programs in boarding schools, living at home with guardians, and attending universities and colleges. In 2013, CCSD changed its legal name to the Bhuvaneshwori Satyal Foundation (BSF) in honor of the late Mrs. Satyal, a pioneer in social work with children in Kathmandu.
While school education comprises the main focus of BSF, fulfilling other needs of the children is important for successful outcomes. BSF operates with a holistic approach to the well-being of the children by providing healthcare, counseling, and coordination with schools and doctors, among other services. Staff from Mitrata make annual trips to oversee our programs, while BSF manages the daily operations and needs of our education and health services for our children in Nepal.
Christine with BSF board members and the late Mrs Satyal (3rd from left) who is sorely missed.
Since its founding, BSF has brought about immeasurable, positive change to the lives of the many children they have served from disadvantaged families and difficult backgrounds. We are grateful for BSF’s unending commitment to our children’s health and education.
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BSF STAFF
LEENA SATYAL
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Leena began working as program manager of CCSD as she was deeply motivated by the work of the late Mrs. Bhuvaneshwori Satyal. Leena feels her involvement with BSF has changed her own life profoundly. In her words, "It helped me realize better that each child is unique and precious, and the best way to secure a child's future is through education."
Leena played a pivotal role in ensuring successful migration of the Mitrata-Nepal children from its previous partner in Nepal and also in ensuring a smooth transition of those children into their new environments.
Leena is Executive Director of BSF, serves as the main liaison to Mitrata-Nepal and continues to oversee the Contact Center (early childhood education) program. She and her team in Nepal work closely with the children, their families, the schools and their doctors to ensure the health and well being of each child. She has a B.A. degree and many years working in nonprofit leadership.
SUSMITA GAUTAM
SENIOR PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Susmita coordinates the care of children by working with the schools, doctors, teachers and families. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and a Master of Arts in Rural Development, took training in psychosocial counseling, and has been working with at-risk children and young adults for many years. Susmita finds it extremely rewarding to establish personal connections with the children she works with and assist them by listening to their concerns and helping them solve their problems. She believes that Mitrata and BSF have been living out this mission for hundreds of children who come from severely disadvantaged families. She firmly believes in BSF's tenet that even one individual on a strong team can make a significant impact and difference, imparting hope into children’s lives as they mature into responsible members of their society.
SUSHMA MASARANGI MAGAR
SENIOR PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Sushma joined BSF as Senior Coordinator from February 2021 and previously worked as the director of the Contact Center. She is responsible for tracking the progress of education and health and planning for immediate needs among our grade school and older children. Prior to joining BSF, Sushma obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and more recently, a Master of Arts in Rural Development. She has had years of experience in program management and interpersonal interactions with stakeholders through working on projects related to migration, child development, non-formal education and youth engagement.
In her own words: “While working during the recent pandemic, I’ve collected new experience at BSF. The lockdown has created closer communication with the children and their families, and we were able to respond to the emergencies. I am happy that BSF is progressing on different dimensions like health, nutrition, psycho-social and legal sectors along with education and sponsorship.”
RACHANA RAJBHANDARI
CONTACT CENTER PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Rachana joined BSF in 2017 and she has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work as well as training in Montessori teaching methods. She leads and supports her team of teaching and non-teaching staff and plans and coordinates different activities at the Contact Center, our early education center. Additionally, she often interfaces with children’s parents, teaches grade 1st and grade 2nd children, and maintains children’s health updates regularly.
Rachana says: “I have learned many interesting and useful skills after I joined BSF like productivity management skills, developing emotional intelligence, active and empathetic listening, acquiring and sustaining a growth mindset. Every day I enjoy learning and discovering more about children’s behavior and have enjoyed the psychosocial support training and the psychology first aid training I’ve received.”
MINA DEVI TAMANG
PRIMARY TEACHER, CONTACT CENTER
Mina joined BSF in 2015 as a primary teacher in the Contact Center. She has been trained in Montessori teaching methods and Psychosocial Support. She creates the course structure for her classes, which includes planning and presenting lessons for her students. Mina researches and develops new teaching materials, records student performance, and maintains her students’ health updates. She analyzes the students’ strengths, abilities, talents and interests; while ensuring they receive the proper love, care, and respect.
Mina says, “I am very proud to be a part of BSF as it has always helped many parentless children, single women’s children, familyless children and underprivileged children. It is my honor to be a part of BSF, and I will be always thankful to BSF for having me as a staff.”
SARITA BASNET
NURSERY TEACHER, CONTACT CENTER
Sarita has been a part of Bhuvaneshwori Satyal Foundation (BSF) for 10 years. She has completed the Intermediate level in Arts, and has undergone training in the Montessori method. She is currently working as a teacher for the Play Group and Nursery classes.
Sarita says, “I am very happy to work in this organization. I feel proud to see my students growing up as good human beings, and also feel proud teaching them and taking care of them, including their physical and mental development. BSF has given me many good memories and opportunities to learn new things.”
KUMARI BIMALA JOSHI
PSYCHOSOCIAL COUNSELOR
Bimala has been working as a counselor at BSF serving the children and families. Since 2004, she has worked and gained experience helping vulnerable and marginalized communities through her positions with several non-governmental organizations. Her recent focus at BSF has been on increasing mental health awareness, wellbeing, and psychosocial support through individual, group, couple, and family counseling. Bimala has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Population Education and is completing a Bachelor of Arts in Law. She has completed training programs in Counseling, Psychosocial Counseling, Trauma Response, and Child Sexual Abuse.
LEKHNATH POUDEL
FINANCE AND HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Lekhnath joined BSF in 2013 as finance officer and through his discipline and hard work he has now grown in his position to managing human resource processes. Some of his key responsibilities include preparing financial budgets, the day-to-day management of finances and human resources, and timely governmental reporting. Lekhnath earned a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Auditing and has completed certificate programs in Computers, Human Resources and Administration.
According to Lekhnath: “I am grateful to have the opportunity for the last many years to personally participate in the process that BSF and Mitrata have jointly undertaken to help the children coming from socially and economically challenged families, by primarily empowering them through education and also by fulfilling some of their basic needs like nutrition and overall health and well-being.”
SUCHITA MAHARJAN
ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROGRAM ASSISTANT
Suchita recently joined the BSF staff as Administrative and Program Assistant. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor in Social Work (BSW). Additionally, she has her Bachelor of Science in Administrative Management, as well as training in Graphic Design, Accounting, and Computer Skills. With much experience in Administrative Support, Suchita is an incredible asset to the BSF team. She will help with all documentation and reporting, and assist in all daily office tasks.
Suchita says, “I am passionate about sharing knowledge and learning new things.”
YOGESH SATYAL
BSF BOARD PRESIDENT
Yogesh works as a freelance trainer consultant, executive coach and university management lecturer. He completed his Executive MBA from Ace Institute of Management, Pokhara University. Yogesh has always been very taken with the work of his mother, the late Mrs. Bhuvaneshwori Satyal, and her unwavering love and service to the countless disadvantaged and underprivileged children of Nepal. Yogesh serves as chairperson of the BSF board helping to continue and extend her legacy through his guidance and vision. In his own words, "The Mitrata-BSF cooperative partnership has brought about positive change through education in the lives of numerous severely underprivileged children of Nepal over the last several years. And there couldn't have been a better tribute to Mrs. Satyal and a way to celebrating her exemplary life and work."
Bhuvaneshwori Satyal Foundation
Chakrapath
Ward No. 3
Kathmandu Nepal
Nepal Social Welfare Council No: 38211