2021 Winter Update
A warm holiday season hello to our Namaste Children’s Fund (NCF) and Bo M. Karlsson Foundation (BMKF) communities. We are excited to report on our progress in 2021 and our plans for the New Year. NCF students are transitioning to post high school education and it was serendipitous that after nearly two decades of empowering underprivileged women in Nepal by providing trade and college scholarships to higher education, the Bo M. Karlsson Foundation is closing and merging their assets with NCF. We are honored to have this incredible opportunity and look forward to connecting with the 54 BMKF women scholars and graduates in Nepal, learning from their experiences and continuing to pass on the legacy of access to education for girls and women from underprivileged areas of Nepal.
Navigating the complexities of teaching and caring for over 85 girls in our hostels and schools while managing the second Covid-19 pandemic wave made 2021 a uniquely challenging year. NCF had increased expenses due to keeping our hostels and school operational year-round. However, thanks to you, we were also able to boost access to technology where possible to aid with education and also remained focused on the health and wellbeing of our students. We are so proud of our students and staff team for the resilience they have shown through the pandemic, adjusting to online learning and managing the isolation from the many lock-downs in Nepal. Our students at the Simikot Hostel in the Himalayas have continued to learn in person while NCF's older students in Pharping and Kathmandu have largely relied on computers for remote learning. We are so grateful for our committed and resilient staff in Nepal who have taken such amazing care of our students while travel to the country has continued to be restricted.
As we look towards 2022, our key priorities are 1) continue to focus on good health of our students, 2) maximizing access to the best education that is available to us and 3) integrating the BMKF scholars and graduates into our programs. We plan to develop a Big Sister mentoring program and provide more support for our high school graduates who are now entering colleges and universities.
Your continued support and positive energy help us navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead. Our students are happy and doing well, the NCF staff in Nepal are dedicated and we have much to be proud of as next year we will support and educate 100 girls in our program. It’s a long way from the first 2 students in 2008!
Our deepest thanks for your generosity and best wishes for a safe and peaceful holiday for you and your loved ones.
NAMASTE!
Phil Crean & Cora Edmonds
NCF Co-Founders
Every gift will make a positive impact in the lives of each NCF student and their families. Our deepest gratitude for your extraordinary kindness and action when our world needs it the most.
