Initial Donation Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

In  2009 and 2010, as part of our international study abroad, we had the enormous privilege to work and study in Nepal. What we found there was both moving and deeply disturbing.

Virtually forgotten by the global community, this sliver of a country, pressed in the Himalayas between China and India, has been nearly broken by the weight of a paralyzing combination of social, cultural, and political burdens. Overwhelming poverty, widespread illiteracy, and deep-rooted discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, and caste frustrate all efforts at reform and rebuilding.  And the brutal civil war that gripped Nepalese society for a decade has only exacerbated the suffering of its 30 million souls, unraveling the already frayed infrastructure and government services upon which any society must depend for its growth and evolution, and upon which the individuals in that society depend for their basic qualities of life.

We returned from our exploration unable to forget the images of individuals in a broken society. And we were determined to find a way to contribute to a solution. In our search for an approach to this problem we uncovered two basic truths of cultures in crisis:

·         When large governmental structures come undone, it is the local community that must become empowered.

·         Effective, sustainable community action is impossible without decent education and training

Already in a deplorable state, education in Nepal during the war years simply crumbled. Schools were closed, teachers were terrorized, and in those schools that did remain standing, political dogma often substituted for useful curricula. And the situation is even worse now, as the country struggles without a viable, legitimate government. Community-based, and community-driven education may be the only hope. A rise in access to education fueled by community involvement has the best chance of long-term sustainability and leads to spillover effects in many other areas of life. Greater knowledge and capacity empowers people and gives them ownership over their own futures.

We are happy to say that that hope is very much in evidence. The examples of successful community schools that we visited were enormously encouraging – girls and boys learning to read and write, and people of all ages having access to training in health, water purification, and basic sanitation. 

However, these examples are few and far between, and the need is immense and urgent.

The Nepali Empowerment Project

Later this fall, we intend to travel again to Nepal to gather the critical information necessary to build on what we have begun and ensure we do it in the most effective way possible.  We will visit established projects, establish local partnerships, and extend and activate the wonderful network of committed individuals – in government, academia, and civil society - whom we were so privileged to encounter during our previous work there.

We intend to fund this trip entirely with our own savings, and with private donations – large and small – made by individuals whom we know, and who believe in both our capability and the heart of our mission.  Your help – in any amount! – is so enormously appreciated.

Thank you for your time and support.