Information
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Ama Foundation
Kathmandu, Nepal
Ama Ghar was co-founded by Shrawan Nepali, who spent part of his childhood at the Paropokar orphanage in Kathmandu. He was fortunate to have the support of his godmother, Ama Tika Basnett, who encouraged and helped him during the darkest times of his life. Assisted by Peace Corps volunteers, Shrawan was educated in the U.S. but he never forgot those less fortunate that he left behind in Nepal. With co-founders Ama Tika Basnet and Shekhar Silwal, he formalized his vision and opened Ama Ghar in 2001; the first 14 children arrived at Ama Ghar during that year. Now, 8 years later, Ama Ghar has grown to a family of 38 children and 7 staff members. Three of our children have transitioned and started a new life on their own.
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Current Projects
Ama Ghar Children’s Home: Provide a Safe and Loving Home
At Ama Ghar, in Kathmandu, the children are truly part of a family. A small staff to child ratio, and our commitment to giving time for counseling, playing, and special outings reflect Ama Ghar’s mission to support a child’s whole development. Currently, a new building for Ama Ghar is under construction which will garuntee that the current and future children always have a permanent place to come home to.
Beyond Ama Ghar: Educate and Empower Children
Ama Foundation provides the children living at Ama Ghar access to the best local education through the high school level. After graduation, staff members guide each child’s transition beyond Ama Ghar. Depending on the child’s individual strengths and interests, he or she will continue on to higher education or vocational training. Our first Ama Ghar graduates have attended nursing and medical schools with the generous help of our partnership with the Bo M. Karlsson Foundation.
Community Scholarships: Create a Network of Community and Caring
Currently, Ama Foundation grants scholarships to underprivileged students in the villages surrounding Ama Ghar. With the completion of the new home next year, we plan to expand our presence in the community to provide the most needed services and support for the local residents. The possibilities are many, but ideas include a community library and computer lab, heath clinics, pre-natal care seminars, and vocational training. We also hope that our many volunteers can share their skills to serve the community in innovative and exciting ways.
Financial Needs
The children at Ama Ghar are totally dependent on private donations from individuals who believe in our mission. Monetary contributions go far in Nepal: one month's support of a child costs $125, a new bunk bed - $100, one year of high school - $500.
We encourage donors to make an annual or monthly pledge to Ama Foundation. This enables us to plan for the future and insures that our current and future children receive they care the deserve. $1,500 a year fully supports one child, providing funds for education, health care, food, and ammenities. We call this our Support a Child Program, and encourage donors to contact info@ama-foundation.org to make their pledge.
In Kind Needs
Ama Foundation gladly acceps in-kind donations, especially if the donor can cover the shipping cost or will be traveling to Nepal to deliver the donation. Currently we are seeking computers, environmentally sustainable waste management systems to prevent polluting our water source, reflective material for large-scale solar cookers, and the usual clothing and books.
Mission Statement
The Ama Foundation is dedicated to providing the most underprivileged children of Nepal with a loving home, education and opportunities to live healthy and secure lives within their community. We currently support Ama Ghar Children’s Home outside Kathmandu, Nepal, which provides education, health care and a secure home to 38 orphaned or abandoned Nepalese children. Our commitment is to support these children through their college-level education or technical training, to provide them with the skills to support themselves as adults and be productive Nepali citizens. We also aspires to be a contributing member of the community surrounding Ama Ghar. Currently we help poor families in the nearby village pay for educational fees and supplies so they can send their children to school. As construction for a new Ama Ghar home wraps up in August of 2010, we plan to expand our services to fulfill unaddressed needs expressed by the local villagers.