Namaste Everyone!
This December 25th, 2007 a very good friend of mine, Mark Hojegian, and I will be heading off to Katmandu, Nepal to work with the staff and children of the Umbrella Foundation, a local Nepalese non-profit that supports conflict-displaced children in and around Katmandu.
During this Wings of the World journey we look to further strengthen our efforts and relationship with the Umbrella Foundation; and most importantly, the 250+ children all of us continue to support through generous donations and child sponsorships.
Your kindnes, love and financial support is greatly appreciated and felt by all those involved in this wonderful cause. Thus, we wanted to set up this blog to keep you posted during our endeavor so that the entire Wings of the World family can participate from afar during this effort. We plan to post pictures, write-ups and even have the children type up a few "Hellos" while we spend numerous days just being part of their family.
Thanks again for your support and we will be in touch.... Namaste, Bryan
9 comments:
Namaste Everyone,
We have arrived safely in Kathmandu, Nepal after a short stay in India visiting the Taj Mahal. Mark and I were picked up at the airport by Umbrella staff and brought to the new Volunteer House.
My instand reaction to the Umbrella Organization improvements since my last trip 2 years ago is.... trully amazing!!! I cannot believe how far our efforts and contributions have improved the living conditions and situation for these 270 children and the homes they occupy. I cannot wait to attach pictures and share in the sights.
However, just to note some improvements:
- Clean drinking water and purification systems in all houses
- Full staff in all houses, including tutors, and "nannies"
- Meat served twice per week
- Many children with own beds
- Heaters in some of the houses
- General improved health and living conditions
Pretty awesome. More to come. I do plan to have pictures of the children and even have children type a few blogs too so please keep in touch and visit often!
Namaste, Bryan
Hello Bryan,
Ut's great to know you arrived safely and to hear about the improvements to the facilities at Umbrella. It's exciting to know you are there to see and be with the children again. Please give all them hugs and love from Rick and me.
Carolyn
Namaste this Thursday from the Umbrella Foundation!
Firstly, the gifts you all have sent were so warmly received. We distributed the specific sponsor gifts last night. I will distribute the remaining toys and games daily during the kids' play times... everything however has been a hit. The Go-Fish game, Connect Four, the model race cars, the necklace and jewelry sets, etc. Kids shared nicely and played for hours. You wouldn't believe how grateful they are for these things and how they hold on to them forever. Some of the things I gave out 2 and 3 years ago they still hold on to. Pretty cool! I am trying to upload photos and will do as soon as possible. Stay tuned! Hope all is well in the States! Bryan and Mark
That's exciting. I wish I could have been there to see it. Looking forward to seeing photos.
Hello Again on Monday, January 7th.
Things are well at the Umbrella Foundation. 2 days ago Mark and I and local staff took 40 children to a nearby zoo (the only one in Nepal). What an experience. Firstly, we had to fit all 45 of us into a micro-bus for a 30 minute ride (cost < than $10). Then we had to navigate all children through a packed Saturday zoo crowd for 3-4 hours... what fun though. We went on a couple rides, played on the playground, and avoided any breakdowns or injuries... I think the total cost for the whole day was less than $30 for 45 of us.. and I spoiled them with cotton candy on the way home (although they could barely eat it from being scrunched in the van so tightly...no complaints though)...
Regarding the overall Umbrella operations, I am still amazed. Our funds and efforts are well utilized and the system works well for Nepal standards. I will work on a complete plan of operations to show who is interested. Our US-efforts contribute about 1/4 of the total funds for running the 7 houses, 275 children and 30 or so staff... pretty incredible. My goal is to increase this to ensure stability for the long-term and to focus more and more on vocational training and post-secondary education for the children we support. So again, thanks.
Have to return to the GauriShankar house where I have been spending most of my time preparing the younger children for final exams. Today is the last of 5 consecutive days of exams... we will report scores in the newsletter when they are calculated.
It is difficult for me to upload photos here but we have plenty so stasy tuned.
Namaste, Bryan and Mark
Bryan & Mark,
We are excitedly reading your news back here in CO. Keep up the important work. Be safe and remind those lil ones to NEVER play fantfootball with Deano. NEVER!
Cheers,
Chris & Kim
Hello Everyone,
Wow! What a trip it was. Mark and I are now safely (yet exhaustedly) back in the US. The second to last day we held a final exam/New Year's party in honor of the recent contributions by the Eileen Fisher Company. Needless to say it was a SMASH HIT. It became a true variety show with the children performing poem, song, dance, and other creative acts. Food and decor were provided too... for those itnerested I am making DVDs of the party as I recorded many acts...so cool. What a gift form them and us.
Even after our return I am still humbled by the improvements in the Umbrella Foundation and yet still the excitement for continued development and growth going forward. Many of have joined this cause only in the past 3-4 years (some in the last 6-12 months). It has been enjoyable to see how our contributions, efforts and donations are having a driect positive impact on the lives of so many people. 275 children, 20+ local Nepalese staff. Even the Gorje village project and rural community there is beginning to benefit. It has not come easy however. Jackie Buk (from France) and Viva Bell (from Ireland) have shown committment and have channeled our funds in a productive and efficient manner. Things are not easily accomplished in a struggling developing country such as Katmandu. It takes tireless effort. From them, the supporters, all of us. So again, thank you. I will continue to be in touch with all of you and can finally post a first series of pictures (the link is below). I will continue to post to this site too and also send out pictures to all sponsors sometime in the near future. Here are general pictures of the houses, children, and some of the kids who received gifts sent by you all.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?UAUTOLOGIN_ID=20457877205&mode=fromsite&collid=20457877205.430693911605.1200486417333&conn_speed=1
Sorry, if you cannot view the photos please send me your e-mail address to:
bvanvran@hotmail.com
I will then send you all the pictures from Nepal!!!!
Namaste, Brya
The Nepali New Year Dance Party in Minneapolis on April 14th, 2007 in Uptown at La Bodega Tapas Bar(also called Liola). This is across the street from Fujiya on Lake and Lyndale.
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