Three Nepali youths raise money to support students in Namje
Three energetic Nepali youths have raised over US$ 5,300 by taking part in the Mt. Washington race last month to support 20 high school students in Bhedetar VDC in Dhankuta district, eastern Nepal.
On Saturday, June 20th, Bijay Ghimire, Ishwar Khatiwada and Ujwal Shrestha successfully completed the ‘Mt. Washington Road Race,’ one of the most challenging road races in the world, said a press statement issued by the Help Nepal Network (HeNN) USA chapter.
The three friends have raised over $5,300 so far and the amount is likely to go up over the next few days. HeNN USA had set a goal of raising $10,000 and is still actively pursuing this goal by encouraging the ones who did not donate to donate.
The Nepali youths, now based in Boston, USA, said they took part in the race to help needy Nepali students back home. “All three of us had run other races of varying distance in the past few years. When Bijay mentioned about the race on Mt. Washington, all three of us thought it was fascinating. Since we had hiked this mountain a few times, we knew that the mountain was pretty challenging but we also knew that the mountain also treated us to some breathtaking views” said Ujwal who works as a project manager at Verisk Health, a software company. “It was mostly the uniqueness and the beautiful location of the race that attracted us to do this race. Later, Sebi Thapa (member, HeNN USA) came up with the idea of doing a fundraiser to aid the promising yet underprivileged students in Namje village. That really kindled a sense of purpose to our race. As the donations and good wishes started pouring in, they motivated us to train and do our best in this gruelling race,” he added.
Similarly, Ishwar, who is an economist at the Center for Labour Market Studies, Northeastern Univeristy, said, “The race was extremely challenging. I thought I would not be able to make it to the finish line. It was brutal to the end. However, I kept running the mountain slope with all the support and good wishes from our friends/families and well wishers in my mind.”
Bijay, who also works at the software company Verisk Helath, added, “Race started with a cannon fire at 10am. The course was plain and easy for about quarter of a mile and then the road started to ascend. The slope is so cruel that it never descends until it reaches the peak. After about two miles, cloud started to cover the road and I could barely see a few feet in front of me. I realized why they call it the ‘Race to the Clouds’. Running to raise fund for ‘Namje School’ motivated me throughout the practice period and during the tough moments of the race.”
HeNN will provide scholarship to 20 students of Namje village in remote Bhedetar VDC for two years from the money raised from this race. In 2005, a scholarship program was implemented to fund higher education for deserving students in the area. Today, as part of this scholarship program almost Rs. 260,000 to date has been awarded to students enabling them to attend college. The same volunteers, the Living Earth Institute, who successfully launched the water project in the village raised funds for this scholarship program. However, the scholarship program is currently in need of funds and the organisers are actively pursuing donors to help support at least 10 students annually. Out of the 10 students, two will be awarded scholarship to study JTA (Junior Technical Assistant) while rest will be supported to pursue other programs. Scholarship will be funded based on good grades and the financial need, the statement said.
Help Nepal Network (HeNN) is the first global charity run and promoted by Nepalis themselves. HeNN’s main mission is to provide health and education opportunities to the needy communities in Nepal. Over the last ten years, HeNN has completed numerous projects all over Nepal, from Mugu to Sarlahi that included health posts, schools (new and renovations), e-libraries, health camps, and electricity projects.
HeNN encourages Nepalis wherever they are to have a can of beer or a carton of juice less in a month and donate the savings to the fund. As the Network’s administrative costs are sponsored, each penny donated goes directly to the targeted area.
Besides a dedicated team of volunteers and staff based in Kathmandu, HeNN has 11 national chapters around the world. It has also won numerous awards for its work. nepalnews.com July 04 09
