| ashu |
Posted
on 15-Jan-02 09:15 PM
From: "Shyam D. Karki Pharm. D."
Subject: "Briddhashram Project"
Hi Friends,
My wife and I have been to Nepal this winter (November /December) and at the request of the ANA and NAC spent a lot of time lobbying for the Multiyear visa for the Non Resident Nepalis (NRN). We had opportunity to meet many social activists and see at first hand many wonderful things they have been doing. Despite many economic, political and other problems, Nepalis are not disheartened and are very persistent in their quest to improve living conditions. We developed a deep sense of respect and admiration for their indomitable spirit and sense of good humor in most trying conditions.
However there is so much poverty all around that we, the Nepalis in the Americas can help in many ways. We feel that in two areas; education and health, we can do a lot. We have made commitments, on our own individual level, to establish scholarships for nursing students in memory of our departed loved ones and are working with a number of schools.
Another project "Briddhashram in Devighat" interested us very much . Its main
purpose is to build a shelter for old and sick people in Nepal to live. Because of the
inflation, societal changes and absence of social programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, the old people are under a very heavy burden and desperately need help.
Devighat is a holy place on the banks of the Narayani river and old people like to spend the last years of life in holy paces. Initial planning as to land, drawings and estimates have already been made. The current plan calls for 62 rooms, kitchen, puja room, community hall and is estimated at Rs. 70,000,00 ( $90,0000).
This project captivated our interest for the following reasons:
1. It's a golden opportunity for us, the Nepalis in the Americas, to show our brothers and sisters in Nepal that although we are very far off, we have not forgotten our motherland and we want to do something concrete to underline our deep feelings.
2. In our culture, old people are to be respected, honored and looked after. By helping to establish "Briddhashram", we are celebrating our cultural heritage and establishing a legacy to our children that we not only teach and preach but practice also.
Our initial discussions with friends here and in Nepal have been very supportive and we have been encouraged to share this with all our friends in the Americas. We feel that if all of us adopt it as our project and work at it, we can make it happen.
In an effort to help our people in Nepal, We are asking for your support and donations. We are asking for a contribution of $10.00 (less than $1.00 a month) and are quite confident that with your support of one time donation of this small amount, we can make this project a reality and when we go to Devighat next year, we will see a large "Shilapatra" at the gate of the compound
indicating " This project has been made possible by the generousity of the Nepali Communities in the Americas (USA/Canada)".
We have come with the following plans for donation:
1. Individual donation of $10.00 (less than $1.00) or more will have their names recorded in the Registry of Donors to be kept at the Briddhashram in Devighat
2. Donation of $100.00 or more will have a receipt sent for tax purposes
3. Rooms can be dedicated to Memory of Dear ones by donating $2,500 or more.
Please make your check to "Briddhashram Project"
and mail it to our address:
3 Elatia Circle,
Pittsford, NY. 14534.
Work will start on the project as soon as we can send the first installment of $10,000 and we will mail you an update every month with pictures and the running total.
Please feel free to contact us at 716-381-4110 or e-mail us at nepal1975@yahoo.com for more
information or your suggestions, advice and active cooperation.
=====
Shyam D.Karki Pharm.D.,MA (Econ),CGP,FCCP, FASCP,
Associate Clinical Professor, SUNY, Buffalo,NY,
Director, Department of Pharmacy Services,
Monroe Community Hospital, Rochester, NY,
3 Elatia Circle,
Pittsford, NY 14534.
716-381-4110
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 16-Jan-02 12:01 PM
Shyamji:
I used to go to Devighat regularly. It is in deed a great place to live, and
indubitably, a lot of old people have found peace there in their latter life.I was
sad that some government people were trying to disrupt the serenity of
Narayanghat-Devighat path by trying to allocate the land to some hospitals, or
some quasi-religious sects, but thanks to conscious local people, such plans
are constantly being opposed.
Returning to the main topic, it is a great undertaking and a lot of people will be
happy to help the project. Why not dedicate a special web site for that? This
will also help people to monitor what is happening out there.
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