American-Nepali
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Archive for January, 2012
February 2012 Newsletter
Our first two issues of ANSWER-Nepal last month elicited many positive responses. One of our sponsors from Washington State wrote me, “Congratulations on seeing your dream to fruition. Not many people have such a chance…”
I do indeed feel blessed. So much joy is being generated. The children are happy in school-imagine what a destitute child has to do if he/she weren’t in school! Then, there is the joy generated when we deliver letters to the children, only to be matched by the joy their sponsors receive when we deliver their students’ letters to them. And then there is the joy of our staff, and our two boards, who know that their efforts are truly effective. Oh yes, and the Joy Dave and Bonnie get from producing this newsletter…. Blessings, Joy, Love generates more Blessings, Joy, Love.
Visiting Your Child During April 2012
ANSWER receives nothing but good karma for organizing this trip, so we assume no liability. You can join or leave the group and travel on your own at any point. Each year we have 5-10 people traveling with us. Allow a full 2 weeks in country. Total Cost is about $3000 per person, including souvenirs. An extra week is possible for not much more if you have the time. COMPLETE THIS FORM AND RETURN IT TO EARLE ASAP to let us know you are seriously considering.
Newsletter – January 2012
Meet Answer’s Co-Director in Nepal, Jailina Mulmi
Meet Jailina Mulmi. Jailina started out working as a volunteer for Answer in 2006, then working part time for our organization, and now is Co-Director of Answer in Nepal. At twenty-six, Jailina has an impressive work experience from freelancing feature articles on Nepali Culture for Buddha Air Lines Magazine while a university student to Addiction Counselling and Advocacy.
Social Welfare Club nurtures responsible, conscious citizens.
One of the most exciting programs that ANSWER sponsors and Jailina directs is the Social Welfare Club. Every Saturday, ANSWER students from different schools in Kathmandu eagerly gather to attend Social Welfare Club. Our students watch movies on different issues every week and discuss the subject matters addressed in the movie. For example, they might watch Beatrix Potter and then discuss the caste system in England and around the world. Follow this with the King’s Speech and The Blind Side and the children begin to understand the injustice of social hierarchies! They are highly encouraged to express their ideas voluntarily. In the public and private schools there is little emphasis on discussion and critical thinking. Most schools emphasize rote learning and short answers.
Sponsor Letters Due
Student-Sponsor relationships are built through correspondence.
Answer students are called together at each school to receive letters, review each student’s progress and receive encouragement from Answer. Imagine how devastating it would be if you were the only student not to receive a letter! They have about 20 mins to read and 60 minutes to write a response.
Sometimes recounting our experiences here in the Western world sounds very strange and completely foreign to ANSWER students. Our worlds are very different. Remember, despite the terrain, Nepal is landlocked and subtropical….they rarely, if ever, see snow or boats and ships. Here are a few suggestions to make your letter interesting to them:
IMPORTANT THINGS TO INCLUDE
• Relate a story about yourself – perhaps about when you were their age. Much of their culture is passed down through storytelling. They LOVE to read stories. Some important themes emphasized through ANSWER are:
Helping others
Taking responsibility
Studying hard to be successful
• Stress the importance of attendance and being an EXCELLENT student
• Ask questions about their school, friends and family.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO EXCLUDE
• DON’T send gifts or money as this creates inequality among the students. Your sponsorship is the greatest gift of all and these children know and appreciate it!
• DON’T encourage them to come to the U.S.A. ANSWER’S mission is to encourage students to get a good education, STAY in Nepal, become leaders in Nepal, and pay it forward by helping other disadvantaged students.
• DON’T emphasize Western materialism. ANSWER students have very humble homes, many with dirt floors and no plumbing.
Please help Earle and Lisa at ANSWER by sending your letter on time! There is quite a bit of accounting to do for each student and they need the time to focus on business and not on calling late sponsors. THANK YOU!