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ANNUAL REPORT
PUNYA FOUNDATION
Table of Contents Editorial 1 Acknowledgement 2 Chairman’s Message 3 Looking Back at Year 2015 4 Art & The Artist 5 Report Designer 5 The Punya Foundation’s Projects: Year 2015
1 Scholarship to Children Orphaned by Earthquakes in Nepal
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2 Scholarship to Vulnerable Children in Ethiopia
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3. Medical Rescue Mission to Nepal 12 4. Medical Support to the Earthquake Victims Through the Heart Foundation 5. Involvement at the Community Level
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5.1 The Foundation Associates with Australian Bhutanese Interstate Soccer Championship 5.2 Shimad Bhagawat Prabachan: A Spiritual Program in Adelaide 5.3 Cultural Program in Adelaide
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6. Empowerment Programs 15 7. Phase-out of Education Program in the Bhutanese Refugee Camps in Nepal
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8. Partnerships
8.1 SMC Federation, Nepal 16 8.2 ABA, Sydney 16 8.3 The Global Bhutan and the Canadian Bhutanese Association 16 8.4 Bhutanese Community of Utah 17 8.5 Kirtan Mandali, Adelaide 18
Profile of the Scholarship Recipients from Nepal
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Profile of the Scholarship Recipients from Ethiopia
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9. Decisions and Future Program 27 10. Fund Generation Initiatives 27 Acknowledgement: Foundation’s Donors Year 2015 28 Auditor’s Report 30
Editorial I was very pleased to be of service to the Punya Foundation, by providing editorial advice for their 2015 Annual Report. I became aware of the work of the Punya Foundation, through my community liaison work with the large Bhutanese community in Salisbury South Australia where I live and work. I grew up in South Australia and have a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Communication Studies, from the University of South Australia. As well as working for State and Federal Members of Parliament, I have also worked in advertising and the print media. It is wonderful to see the valuable and very practical work that the Foundation has achieved through 2015. In particular work to provide education scholarships to 50 children who lost at least one of their parents during the tragic recent earthquakes in Nepal. This project is consistent with the Foundations principles of “seeking justice through education and empowerment”. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Punya Foundation and its work in 2015 to make a real difference in empowering and improving the lives of some of the most vulnerable people locally and abroad. Mrs. Cathy Perry Electorate Office Manager Office of Hon Zoe Bettison MP, Member for Ramsay Salisbury South Australia
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Acknowledgement The Punya Foundation’s annual reports have improved each year in content, presentation, layout, design and editorial. This annual report benefits from accumulative inputs given by past editors and report writers. The contribution and rigorous on-report-writing orientation and insights given by Ms. Tamar Orvell, the editor of our annual report of year 2013 deserves special acknowledgments. Mr. Nawal Khatiwada has been providing thematic arts for the past three years and Mr. Vidhyapati Mishra has been looking after the concept, layout and design of the Foundation’s report since its establishment. All contributions have been on voluntary basis. The Punya Foundation acknowledges the inputs and thanks all involved in making our annual reports professional.
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Chairman’s Message As we come to the end of a very successful program delivery of the Foundation in 2015, we have already started a very meaningful venture for 2016. It gives me great pleasure in presenting the work of the Punya Foundation in 2015 and the impact it has made in the lives of vulnerable children. As you are aware, we have entered the sixth successful year of reaching out to empower vulnerable children and women through the work of the Foundation. I would like to take this opportunity to salute the donors for your generous contributions of funds in the past and in support of the orphan children’s education in Nepal after the devastating earthquake in April 2015. On behalf of the board I would also like to thank all those committed people who shared their volunteer services in organizing and supporting the planned programs of the Foundation. You are very well aware that in the past the Foundation’s programs have helped to support education of school going children from the Bhutanese refugee camps and the surrounding villages in Nepal and the Kenya refugee camp. The Foundation is trying to add new dimensions to our program by supporting the educational and empowerment needs of 50 orphan children for 10 years who lost their parents during the recent earthquake in Nepal. We have already started with the education of 57 children in 2015 and thank you for the financial support and commitments of many individuals and organizations in this effort. Our focus right now is going to the education of these 50 children for 10 years, which requires highly dedicated efforts and funding. We are hoping and counting on the Bhutanese community internationally, like-minded organizations, well-wishers and others in supporting this cause. With the new realities in resettled countries, especially with younger generations, the Foundation is planning to introduce and diversify its primary programming base towards providing career planning and job search assistance. The emerging needs for career planning and exploration of Bhutanese youth in the resettled countries is appearing as the new reality. The Foundation would like to engage its time and resources in addressing this new need. I would like to appeal to all our resettled Bhutanese in supporting our new endeavour and we hope to receive your support and advice as we move in this direction. I would like to reiterate the fact that we have established a strong base in Australia and would like to expand in the USA, Canada, various European countries and others as new opportunities emerge. To continue building its humble initiatives and dedicated work, the Foundation requires the support of Bhutanese diaspora and other well-wishers. The Foundation and its board are highly appreciative of the generous contributions donors have made in materializing the impacts of these various programs. We have come to understand that many more people are coming forward through funding support and volunteering to organize the foundations activities and it gives us immense inspiration knowing that we have a strong back up support from all of you. Tikaram Adhikari Chairperson and Founding Board Member Winnipeg, Canada
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Looking Back at Year 2015 Dear donors and well-wishers, With a great pleasure, the Punya Foundation presents its annual report 2015. Like past years, with support of our donors, volunteers and well-wishers we have made a significant leap working towards our objectives of helping under privileged children, victimized women, poor people and victims of natural disasters. The Foundation’s scholarship program for children who lost at least one of their parents during the earthquakes of 2015 in Nepal is highly praised by our donors, well-wishers and observers. Similarly, my Medical Mission to Nepal, representing the Foundation and Bhutanese community, to provide acute medical relief to the victims of earthquakes is fulfilling. In 2015, the Foundation expanded its partnership with many Bhutanese organisations and organised initiatives. The number of donors has increased, both at individual and at organisational levels. This has not only entrusted more responsibilities on us but motivated to further our mission. On behalf of the Foundation, I would like to thank all our valuable donors for your generous contributions and looking forward for continuity. Dr. Lakshmi Prasad Dhakal, MBBS, MD, MPH Executive cum Founding Director The Punya Foundation
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Education keeps history moving and it keeps lives changing for good. Thank you for choosing to support poor and vulnerable children and victimised women through the Punya Foundation. We request you to continue your support to help us empower those in need.
Art & the Artist
children and empowerment of women. The colour choice relates to Bhutan’s iconic colours and that of the Punya Foundation’s logo. This art reflects the desperate situation following destructive Earthquakes of Nepal in 2015. The use of arbitrary colours constructs a conflict between positive and negative space in Nepal and the glazing fore and background colours create an illusion of depth of need of help. The web-work narrates Foundation’s contribution for victims of Earthquake. The graduation hat in the art represents earthquake affected children in Nepal, while the cone shaped structure at the centre bears a double connotation – it symbolizes Nepal’s pride the Mt. Everest and Namaste; palms together pleading for help. The busy textures, strong lines, dripping strong dark Nawal Khatiwada is a Bhutanese-Australian youth drops and disturbing glazing work over the piles of living in Sydney. A graduate of nursing, Nawal is one book in the painting reflect post earthquake undesirable of the aspiring Bhutanese youths who received some of circumstances. Halfway below the painting, the the prestigious awards for his art works. He has been a obscured piles of books corroborate the regular art contributor for the Foundation’s annual Foundation’s mission of Justice through Education and Empowerment. The blue colour on top demonstrates sky reports since last 4 years. The theme of the art revolves around the Punya and universe as a projection of hope, possibilities and Foundation’s work on education of vulnerable survival.
While in the Bhutanese refugee camp, Mishra shouldered a number of volunteer schemes. Some of his works included training of young journalists, creative writing projects for Bhutanese refugee youths, oral history documentation and donation drive during various fire disasters. As a manager of the Bhutan Media Society, Mishra also helped in implementation of the Punya Foundation’s scholarship and empowerment programs in three years in row from 2010. From the very start of the Foundation, he has been contributing in the annual report team as a designer.
Report Designer
Vidhyapati Mishra is a longtime volunteer serving the exiled Bhutanese community in the capacity of a mediaperson. A self-learned journalist, he was the founding manager of the Bhutan Media Society until earlier 2016. He has featured in some of the leading newspapers published from Kathmandu, Nepal. Mishra is also the first Bhutanese to publish an op-ed in the New York Times.
Mishra, who has obtained publication authority Devi Bhatka Lamitarey, has also been working to reprint historic publications of Lamitarey. The publications in pipeline include the “Dankido Bhutan” and “Murder of Democracy in Bhutan”, both banned by the Bhutanese regime for circulation inside Bhutan. Following his resettlement in 2013, Mishra currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.A. 5
The Punya Foundation’s Projects: Year 2015 1. Scholarship to Children Orphaned by Earthquakes in Nepal Background: On 25th and 26th April and 12th May 2015 devastating earthquakes hit Nepal affecting 14 districts in the central development region. According to the Government of Nepal, the quakes and the aftershocks killed 8,800, injured more than 23,000, displaced 450,000 and destroyed more than 160,000 houses and 15,000 school buildings. Also, around 2,000 children lost at least one of their parents during the earthquakes and most of these orphan children are from rural villages with no means of a support system left for them. Even in a normal situation, children living in rural Nepal face numerous difficulties having to help their guardians with household works, farming, cattle rearing, etc . Having to share these responsibilities, education gets lesser priority and school enrolment rates among poor rural children are lower when compared with rich urban areas; 59% against 94% . Furthermore, the same reasons lead to more high school dropouts among rural children in Nepal than in urban areas . Children living in rural districts in Nepal are vulnerable and exposed to various forms of abuses . The earthquakes and their orphan status had snatched away their basic protection mechanisms exposing them to various forms of child exploitations and abuses including child labour, trans-border child trafficking, etc. Immediately after the earthquake, Dr. Lakshmi Prasad Dhakal, the Executive cum Founding Director of the Punya Foundation was on a medical mission to provide acute medical relief to the earthquake victims. The distressing situation of orphan children led him to establish contact with the executives of the School Management Committee (SMC) Federation of Nepal to explore possibilities to educate and empower those children. The SMC Federation is an umbrella organization of School 6
Reported By: Mr. Mohan Niroula SMC Federation, Nepal
Mr. Tika R Khatiwada SMC Federation, Nepal
Target Beneficiaries: Direct: Orphan school age children, yet to be enrolled or attending public schools from nursery to year 10 from the identified earthquake-hit districts in Nepal Indirect: Parents, relatives and community as a whole of the earthquake-hit districts in Nepal
Grand mother receives scholarship package for her grandchild during the scholarship award program. Photo credit Mr. Mohan Niraula
Management Committees and has been working for the empowerment of school management in Nepal. Following a series of meetings, the Punya Foundation and the SMC Federation reached to an agreement to provide scholarships to 50 deserving children who lost at least one of their guardians during the earthquakes.
Aim of the Program: To empower the children living in the earthquake hit districts in Nepal through provision of scholarships for their education and to help them become independent.
organisations. The delegation presented its scholarship proposal and based on inputs obtained from the participants, the context specific selection criteria were established and agreed upon as follows: Essential Criteria: • Identified as a person affected by the earthquakes by the Government of Nepal • Have lost at least one of the guardians (Proof to be submitted–death registration of the guardian to the local authority) • School going or getting admitted to schools
Program Objectives: − To provide scholarships to the orphan children living in the earthquake hit districts in Nepal till they complete year 10 of education − To enable children to go to school Secondary criteria: by providing basic necessities like • Recommendation letter from the concerned schools stationery and uniforms • Economically and socially excluded − To provide psychological counselling to orphan children, if needed, to cope with the experienced trauma and to facilitate continuing with their schooling − To prevent orphan children from getting exploited from physical labour, from becoming domestic workers, maidservants and from trafficking for sex trade Working Methodology: − Situation analysis: The SMC Federation collected preliminary data about children who lost at least one of their parents during the earthquakes and their socio-financial and existent support mechanisms from its district level School Management Committees located in the earthquake hit districts. Based on this, the SMC Federation decided to conduct a field visit. − Field Visit: A delegation of the SMC Federation, led by its Chairman, Mr. Krishna Thapa, visited some of the earthquake-hit districts. Once at site, the delegation organised focus group discussion with the local members of SMC Federation, executives of village development committees and with the community based
Students attending a make-shift school in Sindhupalchok district, Nepal during field visit of SMC Federation, 2015. Photo credit: Mohan Niraula
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SMC Federation Chairman, Mr. Krishna Thapa with volunteers and students after award of the scholarships, Photo credit: Mohan Niroula
− Selection of the students: Following the focus group discussions, the SMC Federation formed a 6-person team of Scholarship Implementation Committee (SIC) under the chairmanship of Mr. Krishna Thapa and members were assigned for different districts. Name of the person Krishna BdrThapa Tika Ram Khatiwada Mohan Niraula Bishnu Sapkota Sachin Shrestha Puspa Bhandari
Designation Chairperson Coordinator Member Member Member Member
Area Assigned Dhading Kavre Dhading/Kavre Sindhupalchok Sindhupalchok Office
The SIC, responsible to the SMC Federation was entrusted with the responsibility to select 50 students for scholarships and visited children at their temporary shelters and at their schools located in different earthquake-hit districts of Nepal. In addition, it sought recommendations from the schoolteachers and community based organizations. The list of students was reviewed but the SIC couldn’t limit the list to 50 students owing to need and state of vulnerability of students. Through its Chairman, the SMC Federation presented the findings to the Punya Foundation. The meeting of the SMC Federation and the Punya Foundation decided to go for a shared ownership of the scholarship project. The SMC Federation agreed to take a share of 17.84% of total expenditure of 3,61,775.00 Nepalese currency. 8
- Award and Implementation of Scholarships: The SIC decided to pay the school/examination fees directly to schools and to distribute basic school necessities to the students. This was done to avoid any misuse of funds and to ensure funds were directed to the purpose concerned. The SIC visited different districts and awarded scholarships to students amidst various programs in September and October 2015. The SIC was facilitated by local representatives during the scholarship distribution. Monitoring and Evaluation: The SMC and SIC have assigned Mr. Mohan Kumar Niraula and Mr. T.R. Khatiwada as scholarship coordinators for monitoring and evaluation of the scholarship program. The scholarship coordinators work as volunteers and the incurred costs while visiting the students are reimbursed. To enable year round monitoring, timely identification of challenges and to report to the SIC, volunteers are assigned at the village levels. Name Districts Sudarshan Simkhada Dhading Indra Simkhada Dhading Nirajan Simkhada Dhading Bishnu Sapkota Sindhupalchok Rajendra Pd Lamichane Sindhupalchok Aajiwan Lamichane Kavre Ram Hari Sapkota Kavre
Challenges: − Lack of baseline date: the devastating earthquakes collapsed the government systems - in terms of infrastructure, capacity and planning. Therefore, collection of authentic data took a long time, delaying the implementation of the scholarship program. − Geographical access: children on a scholarship program live scattered in far-flung rural areas with harsh topographical access. These areas are not accessible by public transport requiring walking up to 3 days to visit children. − Financial constraints: the scholarship program allocated very basic support for children. In addition, with the allocated overhead costs, delivering of stationaries, school uniform, etc. required involvement of volunteers. This is a threat for the long-term project implementation and program sustainability. − Scholarship package: the current scholarship package involves basic minimum support. With the inflation and post earthquakes price hike, there is a valid need to increase the scholarship amount. The Foundation is under pressure to meet this challenge. Project prospects and opportunities: − The scholarship programme has brought a very positive response from the community. A small budget sending 57 children to schools in rural areas in Nepal is providing a huge relief to the families concerned. − Children at verge of dropping their education and prone to abuses and exploitations are making their education ongoing. The scholarship project is working to help Nepal achieve its Education for All mission. − The scholarship programme is involving donors at individual and organised group initiatives. The project has been able to promote philanthropy and to progapage concept of supporting those at need. − The SMC Federation is a reliable and established organisation committed to work as an implementing partner to meet the agreed agreements. 9
2. Scholarships to Vulnerable Children in Ethiopia Report By: Moti Muleta Zonal Health Employee, Ministry of Health, Ethiopia
Background Ethiopia is located in the North Eastern part of Africa. Oromia Region is Ethiopia’s largest national regional state. West shewa zone is one of the 18 zones of Oromia Regional state. Gindabarat district is one of the 18 districts of West shewa zone. Mukadima is one of the 33 villages in Gindabarat district from where four vulnerable students are selected for scholarship. Problem statement About 85 % of the population in Gindabarat district lives in rural areas and economically dependent on subsistence farming. Many families can’t afford to send their children to schools and school dropout rate is high, mostly among the poorer families. As a pilot project, the Punya Foundation in collaboration with the School Management Board of Mukadima decided to support the education of four vulnerable children. This is an attempt to empower children through education and to provide relief to their parents. The rationale for selecting Mukadima village − It is a remote and geographically inaccessible village in Gindabarat district with majority of people living under poverty line − In Mukadima village, there is no support for education of poor and vulnerable children − Willingness of local schools to implement and monitor the scholarship program Objectives of the scholarship project − To provide scholarships to vulnerable primary school students in Mukadima village in Ethiopia − To empower children through education − To provide support and relief to poor families through education of their children Methodology Giving continuity to its scholarship program for poor and vulnerable students in Africa, this year the Foundation established a partnership with the School Manage-
ment Board of Mukadima. Following a few rounds of telephone conference Mr. Moti Muleta, (Zonal Health Officer) from the Zonal Health Department and the Foundation decided to provide scholarships to 4 vulnerable students from a remote village of Mukadima. During the meetings, the Foundation and the School Management Board of Mukadima agreed on the following as selection criteria: − Primary school student or student attending primary school in village of Mukadima − Students identified as poor and vulnerable by the school management committee and by Women and Children Affairs Member Strategy of selection A Scholarship Selection and Implementation Committee (SSIC) consisting of following 5 members was formed: • Moti Muleta from Zonal Health Department, Chairperson • Abdisa Kebede Mukadima, School Director, Secretory • Beza Werk Giorgis, Women and Children Affairs, Member • Chaluma Walteji, School Management Board, Member • Girma Dinka, Elder from the community The SSIC contacted the schools in village of Mukadima and suggested to start brainstorming on the identification of vulnerable children. The SSIC visited the villages, sought recommendations from the school management committee and from the member of Women and Children Affairs. Following this, opinion was sought from the elder of the community. The SSIC then did home visits, school visit and interviewed students and their guardians. Keeping with the financial limitations, the SSIC selected four students with following specifications: − 2 orphans with poor economic conditions of their guardians − A child with a disabled mother (amputed leg) whose mother makes her living through begging
Scholarship recipients in Ethiopia with their school headteacher guardians after distribution of school unifroms, schoolbags, shoes and other stationeriesPhoto credit, Moti Muleta
Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation The Scholarship Selection and Implementation Committee (SSIC) is responsible for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the scholarship program. The SSIC has in collaboration with the head teachers distributed school uniforms, stationaries and basic school necessities to the students. For effective implementation geared towards fulfilling objectives, the SSIC shall: − Seek school attendance and performance of the students on a quarterly basis − Review the project inputs, activities, and outputs two times per year − Seek feedback from students and from their guardians − Review the program’s costs − Grade report document analysis and in case of need home visit for further exploration of home situation At the end of academic session, the SSIC shall conduct a focus group discussion engaging school head teachers and community stakeholders to evaluate the scholarship program. Based on the inputs provided the SSIC shall amend the scholarship implementation process in consultation with the Punya Foundation. 10
Challenges − Limited availability of the funds − Challenges to select few vulnerable children from pool of poor people − Geographic inaccessibility owing to lack of public transport and difficult terrain
Opportunities − The local community is very supportive and committed to provide needed help to make the scholarship program successful − The school head teachers are willing to work on a voluntary basis for effective implement the project − The need geared program
Mr. Moti Muleta on field visit to the houses of proposed students for scholarship
References: 1
The World Bank, 2014, Giving Nepal’s Poorest Kids a Healthy Start.
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Huebler F., 2007, Primary and secondary school attendance in Nepal
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UNICEF, 2015, Nepal Earthquake: Education for nearly 1 million children in jeopardy – UNICEF
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National Human Rights Commission, 2012, Trafficking in person, especially on women and children in Nepal, NHRC Publication 162
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Children whose parents have poor financial status, orphan children and those who need support for their education.
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3. Medical Rescue Mission to Nepal On 25 April 2015, an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 on Richter scale hit Nepal. It was followed by several major quakes and aftershocks. The epicentre located at Barpak village in Gorkha district caused huge destruction especially in Gorkha, Sindhupalchok, Bhaktapur, Rashuwa, Kathmandu, Dolakha, Dhading and Lalitpur districts. Like other humanitarian aid workers from around the globe, with support of Cordaan, the Netherlands based health care providing institute for elderly people, Dr. Lakshmi Prasad Dhakal, the Executive Director of the Punya Foundation, rushed to Nepal to provide acute medical services to the earthquake victims. The Farmadam, one of the Amsterdam based pharmaceutical companies provided a package of basic and emergency medicines and medicaments making the mission possible. During the medical mission, Dr. Dhakal joined the team of Non-Resident Nepali Association (USA). With a team of doctors, nurses and volunteers, the rescue team provided medical services to victims of earthquake. Patients of all ages attended the medical rescue clinic. The patient population was predominated by women, elderly and children. The most common presenting complaints were injuries sustained during the earthquakes, infected wounds, other systemic infections, psychological trauma and generalised pain.
Dr. Lakshmi Prasad Dhakal receiving an appreciation letter and Mr. Surendra Lal Shrestha, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2015. Photo credit, Mohan Niraula
Dr. Lakshmi Prasad Dhakal attending earthquake victim in Rasuwa district in Nepal, 2015. Photo credit, Binod Karki
4. Medical support to the earthquake victims through the Heart Foundation The Punya Foundation donated medicines and medicaments to the Nepal Heart Foundation. Coinciding with his Medical Mission to Nepal, Dr. Lakshmi Prasad Dhakal, the Executive Director of the Punya Foundation donated medicines and medicaments amounting approximately 59,000 Nepalese Rupees to Mr. Surendra Lal Shresth, the Chairman of Nepal Heart Foundation. With the donated medicines and medicaments, the Heart Foundation shall provide free medical treatments to earthquake victims in rural Nepal. On behalf of the Nepal Heart Foundation, Mr. Shrestha thanked the Punya Foundation for its generous contribution. Mr. Tika Ram Khatiwada of the SMC Federation and Mr. Mohan Niroula, assisted in the process of prioritization and handing over of the medicines. 12
5. Involvement at the Community Level Report By: JN Bhandari, Country Head Punya Foundation, Australia
Mr. Tilchand Sapkota, Vice Country Head of the Punya Foundation hands over a trophy during the soccer tournament in Albury, 2015.
5.1.The Foundation associates with Australian Bhutanese Interstate Soccer Championship Giving continuity to support the Australian Bhutanese Interstate Soccer Championship, Mr. Tilchand Sapkota, Vice Country Head of the Punya Foundation attended the fourth soccer tournament in Albury. Sixteen teams from across Australia participated in the tournament. Bhutanese teams from Cairns won the Men’s championship and the Hobart team grasped the Women’s trophy. Mr. Sapkota handed over the Punya Foundation sponsored cup to one of the winning teams. The Bhutanese Association in Albury organized the soccer tournament in 2015. In 2016, BKBAT/BCTN of Launceston shall host the Australian Bhutanese Interstate Soccer Championship. 13
Mr. Tilchand Sapkota, Vice Country Head, Australia handing over appreciation certificates to the artists.
5.2. Shrimad Bhagawat Prabachan: A Spiritual Program in Adelaide In an attempt to raise funds to help children who lost at least one of their guardians during the earthquakes of April and May 2015 in Nepal, the Punya Foundation organized a 3-day Shrimad Bhagawat Puran in Adelaide. The Hon. Zoe Bettison, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, inaugurated the spiritual sermon. Devotees dancing Bhajan at Shrimad Bhagawat Puran, 2015. Photo credit, Sashi Dhakal
Bhutanese spiritual leaders, pandit Dinesh Adhikari, pandit Ganga Ram Bhattarai, Indian philosophers, Acharya Khagendra Neopaney and pandit Santi Ram Dhakal delivered sermons. The spiritual session attended by more than 800 resettled Bhutanese in Adelaide embraced the essence of Hindu religion, the value of Shrimad Bhagawat Puran, the link between spirituality and Hinduism and how Vedas relate to human body, science and influence on day to day life. Each day, Puja and Aarati followed the spiritual sermons. During the inauguration of the 3-day Shrimad Bhagawat Prabachan, Hon. Zoe Bettison applauded the fund generation initiative of the Punya Foundation to assist children who lost at least one of their parents during the recent earthquakes in Nepal. She also appreciated the progress made by the resettled Bhutanese in Adelaide. The spiritual program was appreciated received with enormous admirations by the Bhutanese community in Adelaide, especially by elderly people. The spiritual program managed to collect about 4500 AUD excluding the incurred expenses.
Hon. Minister Bettison addressing participants during the Shrimad Bhagawat Mahapuran, Adelaide. Photo credit, Sashi Dhakal
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5.3. Cultural Program in Adelaide
6. Empowerment Programs
The empowerment of women victims of rape and gender violence through provision of psychosocial support in Kakuma refugee camps in Kenya completed its project duration. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Foundation held on 20 December 2015 decided to give continuity to similar empowerment programs targeting vulnerable women and girls who are victims of sexual and domestic violence.
Mr Deep Shrestha and his team performing during the cultural program in Adelaide. Photo Credit, Tilchand Sapkota
Providing assistance to the successful integration of resettled communities and refugees in their host countries is one of the objectives of the Punya Foundation. On 5 December 2015, the Foundation organized a cultural program in Adelaide. Deep Shrestha, a celebrated singer and composer from Nepal, led a group of artists comprising of Anil Shahi (Fusion guitarist cum singer), Binaya Maharjan (flute), Sundar Kumar Maharjan (table), Basanti KD (dancer) and Sada. Also local Bhutanese and Nepalese artists, namely Bimala Tamang, Bishnu Tamang, Buddhiman Rai, Dadhiram Khatiwada, Divya Gautam, Indra Lal Rimal, Laxman Gurung, Puja Gurung and Prajita Gelal performed during the program. More that 150 people from Bhutanese and Nepalese communities attended the cultural event. Besides providing entertainment, the cultural program has been praised for preservation and continuation of Nepalese culture, tradition and costumes. Various local organisations like Gorkhali Presentation, Expert Education Consultancy and Bhutanese Youth groups supported the event to realize the objectives of the program. The chief guest of the program, Mr. Dipak Dhamala, the Honorary Consul of the Nepalese Consulate in Adelaide appreciated the program and thanked the Punya Foundation for hosting the event
The adult education program for underprivileged women in the refugee-affected areas in Jhapa Nepal has also completed its project duration. The AGM of the Foundation decided to phase out this adult education program. Instead, the Foundation decided to opt for empowerment of underprivileged women through strengthening of their financial situation by providing them skill oriented training. The Punya Foundation and its implementing partner are currently exploring this option.
7. Phase out of education program in the Bhutanese Refugee Camps in Nepal
Some of the scholarship recipients with their parents in Jhapa, Nepal. Photo credit, JYKS, Jhapa
The need of scholarships for Bhutanese refugee students living in the refugee camps in Nepal for their higher secondary education is minimal. This is because their resettled relatives or their neighbours from resettled countries are providing financial support for their education. Besides, the implementation of scholarship program in the refugee camps is no more feasible as implementing partners expect unreasonable overhead allowances. The AGM of the Foundation held on 20 December 2015 decided to phase out the scholarship program in the Bhutanese refugee camps permanently. 15
8. Partnerships 8.1. SMC Federation, Nepal In 2015, the Punya Foundation established a partnership with the School Management Committee Federation of Nepal (SMC Federation) to implement a project targeting to empower children living in earthquake-hit districts in Nepal through provision of scholarships for their education and to help them become independent. To start with, the scholarships shall be provided to children who lost at least one of their parents during the earthquakes of April and May 2015 in Nepal. The SMC Federation is registered under the Social Organization Act 2034 B.S. at the District Administration Office, Kathmandu. It works with a vision of developing effective, accountable and skilled management committee of the public schools throughout the country. The Federation works as a non-profitable and service oriented organization and is a common umbrella organization of approximately 30 thousand community school management committees.
8.2. ABA, Sydney
The Australian Bhutanese Association - Youths (ABA Youths) is a group of resettled Bhutanese youths in Sydney working at social-cultural and welfare fronts organising cultural programs, sports activities and social gatherings. In 2015, the ABA Youths joined hands with the Punya Foundation to support education of children who lost at least one of their parents during the earthquakes of April and May 2015 in Nepal. It raised funds to support education of children by organising a dinner-dance program, which was attended by resettled Bhutanese and their well-wishers. During the program, young Bhutanese talents performed Bhutanese, Nepali and Indian musicals and dances to entertain their audience. The ABA Youths donated 1500 AUD to sponsor 10 16
8.3. The Global Bhutan and the Canadian Bhutanese Association Similarly, in 2015, the Punya Foundation established a partnership with the Global Bhutan and the Canadian Bhutanese Association (CABTAS) to support for education of poor and vulnerable children in Nepal. Global Bhutan and the CABTAS are supporting education of children who lost at least one of their parents during the earthquakes of April and May 2015 in Nepal. Global Bhutan is a website launched by resettled Bhutanese in diaspora with a concept to connect Bhutanese folks residing around the globe to generate an online community to share their views, articles and to help promote Bhutanese-Nepali language, culture, tradition, literature, music and art via web based content. The Canadian Bhutanese Association (CABTAS) is an apolitical and a social association formed following a concerted effort of the Canadian Bhutanese living in Ottawa, Ontario. The CABTAS, which is established following a rigorous discussion and deliberations is an inclusive association of all Bhutanese people resettled in Ottawa. It reflects, respects and works to preserve and promote views, sentiments, language, religion and culture of the Canadian Bhutanese, mostly of Nepali ethnicity from southern Bhutan.
ABA Youths Sydney involved in fundraising program, 2015. Photo credit, Deepak Sharma, Sydney
students in Nepal and intends to partner with the Foundation to educate 10 students per year till the students complete year 10 of their education.
8.4. Bhutanese Community of Utah Following the devastating earthquakes in Nepal, the Bhutanese Community in Utah (BCU) mobilized community members both at organizational and individual levels and its well-wishers to generate fund to assist the earthquake victims. The BCU managed to collect 1,550.24 USD; 186 from Asian Festival, 844.40 from Cotton Wood High School and 519.84 from the Bhutanese Community and its well-wishers. The board meeting of the BCU held on July 4, 2015 decided to channel the fund for education of children who lost at least one of their parents during the recent earthquakes in Nepal through the Punya Foundation.
8.5. Kirtan Mandali, Adelaide Kirtan Mandali is a spiritual cum cultural forum operating in South Australia under the ABN registration no 15200241849 of AHSS. It is a non-profit forum and aims to safeguard and promote Hindu spirituality and philosophy. Since its establishment in 2011, the Kirtan Mandali has been playing an important role to bring elderly Bhutanese and followers of Hinduism together for promotion and preservation of Hindu culture through singing and chanting of Hindu prayers, hymns and traditional Nepali songs. During the assembly, discourses on peace, culture and tradition take place. This way, the Kirtan Mandali strives to assists the newly settled Bhutanese in Adelaide to feel at home and thereby assisting them in integration into their host society. Members of the Kirtan Mandali assemble every Saturday for Kirtan. In rotation, the get together takes place in a residence of one of its members. The host of Kirtan makes a cash donation in a form of dakshina (spiritual offering) to the group. The donated amount gets deposited in the Kirtan Mandali’s bank account. The Kirtan Mandali uses the donated amount for promotion of its objectives and for welfare of poor, vulnerable and needy. The Mandali is pleased to donate the Punya Foundation with AUD 1500 in 2015 to support the victims of earthquake in Nepal. 17
Profile of the Scholarship Recipients from Nepal Chandrawoti Thapa, 19, is from Batase VDC, Ward No. 5, Sindupalchwok district in Mid Development Region in Nepal. She is a student of class 10 studying at Shree Aananda Higher Secondary School, Jalbire. Her mother died during the earthquake of April 2015. Also, their house got completely destroyed. Her father, Man Bdr. Thapa ,is not in a state to support her for her further study. Chandarawoti wants to study and she needs support to make her schooling possible. Dev Tamang, 17, lives with his family in Jalbire VDC, Ward No. 9, Sindupalchwok district in Mid Development Region in Nepal. He is a student of grade 10 at Shree Aananda Higher Secondary School, Jalbire. During the earthquake of April 2015, Dev lost his mother (Ram Many Tamang). His house is completely destroyed. The earthquake destabilized Dev’s household situation. His father, Mr. Sancha Bdr Tamang is striving to support his family. However, education of Dev is not a priority in this difficult situation. Dev needs support for school uniform, school examination fees and other school necessities to complete his higher secondary level education. Parwati Bhandair, 15, is a daughter of Ram Bahadur Bhandari and Mohan Kumari Bhandari. She studies in class 10 at Shree Laxmi Devi Secondary School at Phulpingkot VDC Ward no-3, Sindhupalchok. The devastating earthquake of 25th April completely destroyed her house. She lost her father during the earthquake. Even before the earthquake, the family was living under poverty line. She has a brother and mother at home. She is good in her studies and wants to be a nurse in future. Abinash Tamang, 17, lives with his family in Batase VDC, ward no. 1, Sindupalchwok in Mid Development Region in Nepal. He is a student of class 10 studying at Shree Kalika Devi Higher Secondary Batase-4. The earthquake of April 2015 killed his mother. Their house also got destroyed and they lost all their properties. Their farm is converted into multiple fissures and unproductive. His father needs help to educate his son. He would like to study, earn money and make difference in the life they have been living. Dinesh Sapkota, 16, lives with his family in Batase VDC, Ward No. 3, Sindhupalchwok in Mid Development Region in Nepal. During the devastating earthquake of April 2015 he lost his father. Additionally, their house is totally damaged forcing them to live under temporary makeshift plastic sheets. Dinesh studies in class 10 at Shree Kalika Devi Higher Secondary School, Batase-4. Dinesh would like to continue with his education. Unfortunately, his mother is not in a position to support him and is in need of support to realize his dream to become an engineer. His class teacher says that Dinesh is a very sharp and intelligent student. He is in need of support to materialize his wish. Rabin Bhandari, 16, is son of Jhalak Bahadur Bhandari and Bel Kumari Bhandari. He studies in class 10 at Shree Laxmi Devi Secondary School at phulpingkot VDC Ward no3, Sindhupalchok. The devastating earthquake brought an unbearable pain and sorrow to his life. Along with destruction of their house, he lost both of his parents. He has an elder sister. He is a very smart boy and wants to be a journalist in future. Manita Thapa, 18, is from Phulpingkot VDC, Ward No. 1, Sindhupalchwok in Mid Development Region in Nepal. She is a student of class 9 studying at Shree Phulpingkot Higher Secondary School, Phulpingkot. Her father Dirgha Bahadur Thapa died during the devastating earthquake of April 2015. Their house got completely destroyed. For her mother, it has been very challenging to cope up with the losses and to rebuild her living. She wants to continue with her education but her mother is not in a position to support her. Manita does not have relatives who can make her education going. She requests for support to help her pay school and examinations fees and to purchase basic school necessities. 18
Balkrishna Adhikari, 17, is a student of class 10 studying at Shree Kalika Devi Higher Secondary located at Batase VDC Ward No. 4, Sindhupalchok. He was deserted by parents after his birth. The whereabouts of his parents is unknown and he was being reared by his grandfather. Unfortunately, his grandfather got killed during the devastating earthquake. Balkrishna wants to be a social worker in future. Shushma Thaka Magar, 12, lives with her father in Batase VDC, Ward No. 5, Sindhupalchwok district in Mid Development Region in Nepal. She is a student of grade 10 in Shree Aananda Higher Secondary School, Jalbire. The destructive earthquake of April 2015 killed her mother; Dev Kumari Thapa. Their house collapsed to dust. Their financial condition has all of sudden changed to worst. She wants to become a schoolteacher. Though her father always wanted to educate her and let her dream come true; his financial constraints are posing challenges. Shushma dreams to become a schoolteacher. Sita Basnet, 12, is a daughter of Ganesh Bahadur Basnet and Sani Kanchi Basnet. She studies in class 5 at Shree Aananda Higher Secondary School, Jalbire VDC-9, Sindhupalchowk District. The devastating earthquake killed her father and destroyed her house completely. Sita has 4 family members. Her family had a poor financial situation. During the earthquake, they lost their properties and her mother is not able to make her schooling possible. Sita aims to be a professional dancer in future. Rasmi Thapa Magar, 10, lives with her grandparents in Batase VDC, ward no. 5, Sindhupalchwok Both of her father and mother left her when she was a child. She was brought up by her grandmother. Unfortunately, during the earthquake of April 2015 her grandmother died getting buried in the rubbles of their collapsed house. Rasmi is a student of class 4 at Shree Aananda Higher Secondary School, Jalbire. She looks forward for a generous donor to go to school. She would like to become a nurse. Saraswoti Khatri, 12, lives with her mother in Jalbire VDC Ward No. 2, Sindupalchwok in Mid Development Region in Nepal. She is the student of class 6 at Shree Aananda Higher Secondary School, Jalbire. During the devastating earthquake of April 2015 she lost her father. Their house got completely collapsed and they are living under plastic sheets. Suffering from the post effect of trauma and also owing to preexistent poor financial situations, her mother is not in a state to help her further studies. Saraswoti would like to continue her studies and requests for help. Meera Thapa, 13, from Batase VDC, Ward No. 1, Sindupalchwok in Mid Development Region in Nepal, is a student of class 8. Meera has passed her grade 7 examination from Shree Kalika Devi Higher Secondary School, Batase-4. She wants to complete higher secondary level. Her parents are disabiled and her brother Narayan Thapa had been their breadwinner. Unfortunately, her brother died during the earthquake of April 2015. In addition, their house collapsed. Meera needs support to make her schooling possible. She wants to become a nurse in future. Laxmi Nepali, 16 , lives with her mother in Phulpingkot VDC Ward No. 2, Sindhupalchwok. She is a student of 9th standard in Shree Phulpingkot Higher Secondary School, Phulpingkot. During the recent destructive earthquake, she lost her father. Their small house got collapsed pushing them to take shelter under plastic sheets. Her mother, Chandra Maya Nepali is a resilient and hard working women. She is putting all her efforts to bring their life back to normal. However, their (pre-existent) hand to mouth socio-economic status is a living major constraint to her initiative. She wants to study and rescue her family to better future. Her mother has been supportive to help her, but with her current financial situation, her mother won’t be able to help Laxmi. She is in need of support to help her complete her schooling.
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Ashok Parajuli, who is 15 year old, lives with his family in Batase VDC, Ward No. 3, Sindhupalchwok in Mid Development Region in Nepal. His father and mother both left him when he was a child. His grandfather brought him up. Unfortunately, during the devastating earthquake of April 2015 his grandfather died. Their house collapsed to rubbles and destroyed whatever properties they had. Ashok studies in class 9 at Shree Kalika Devi Higher Secondary School, Batase-4. His grandmother’s physical condition is weak and he need support for daily activities. Ashok wants to study and needs help to make this possible. Anita Rokka, 13, is from Phulpingkot VDC, Ward No. 1, Sindhupalchwok in Mid Development Region in Nepal. She is a student of grade 4 studying at Shree Phulpingkot Higher Secondary School, Phulpingkot. Her father died during the devastating earthquake of April 2015. Their house collapsed destroying whatever properties they had. Her traumatized mother is facing severe psychological problems and is facing challenges to cope with the losses. Because Anita’s mother can’t afford to support her education, she is in need of financial help to meet her school expenses. Shusmita Sapkota, 12, is from Batase VDC Ward no. 3, Sindhupalchok district. She studies in grade 7 at Shree Kalika Devi Higher Secondary School, Batase. She is a brilliant student and aims to be a nurse in future but she worries if her dream can be fulfilled. Her house has been completely demolished by the devastating earthquake of 2015. Her father was suffering from mental problem and since the devastating earthquake of 2015, he has been disappearing. Her mother is not able to support her to make her education possible. Shusmita requests for support and would like to become a mental health nurse in future. Deepa Thapa, 13 , is a daughter of Keshav Thapa and Balkumari Thapa. She studies in class 8 at Kalika Devi Higher Seconday School located at Batase VDC Ward no 1, Sindhupalchowk. The devastating earthquake of April 25 collapsed her house, took life of her grandmother and made her father disabled. She has a younger sister and elder brother. Her parents’ socio-economic condition is very poor. With her father being disabled, Deepa is facing difficult to go to schools and unable to meet school expenses. She dreams to become a primary schoolteacher and is in need and unable to support. Phurpi Lama, 14 , is a daughter of Rajman Lama and Shanta Mai Lama. She studies in class 8 at Kalika Devi Higher Secondary School located at Batase VDC Ward 1, Sindhupalchowk. She lost her mother in the devastating earthquake of 25 April, 2015. Being a member of a backward ethnic group they neither have a land for the cultivation nor a house. The entire family depends on the daily wages earned working in others field and houses. Phurpi wants to become a dancer and would like to get help for her education and eventually for advancing her to carrier of a dancer. Julia Karki, 16, is a daughter of Dal Bahadur Karki and Indra Kumari Karki. She studies in class 9 at Aananda Higher Secondary School, Jalbire VDC, Sindhupalchwok. She lost her father during the last devastating earthquake of 2015. She has 5 family members at her family. Now the family lives under an extreme poverty as her father was only the earning member of the family. Now, because of financial constraints she is in a state to quite her studies. Julia dreams to become a social worker to work to end poverty in her village. Binita Basnet, 13, is a daughter of Rudra Bahadur Darji and Chameli Darji. She has 3 sisters. She studies in class 5 at Terse Higher Secondary School, Talamarang VDC, Ward no 2, Sindhupalchok. Coming from a Dalit family, she lives in extreme poverty. They are displaced from their residence due to landslide after devastating earthquake of April 2015. Binita needs help to make her education possible. She wants to uplift the living standards of dalits in her community in future.
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Yam Bahadur Gurung, is 14 years old and inhabitants of Gumdi VDC, Ward No. 5 in Mid Development Region, Nepal. He lives with his mother Asha Maya Gurung. His father; Surya Bahadur Gurung was the main source of their income. But on 25th April 2015 Yam’s father died during the earthquake. Also, their house got completely destroyed. Yam needs support to fulfill his dream to be an army officer in future. He does not have any relatives who can support for his studies. Prashant Gurung, 19, lives with his mother in Gumdi VDC, Ward No. 4, Dhading district in Mid Development Region of Nepal. He is a student of grade 10 in Tamang Kharka Higher Secondary School, Gumdi. Because of poor economical conditions of his parents, Prashant started his school quite late. Unfortunately the earthquake of 25th April 2015 killed his father Kami Gurung. His house was destroyed and farm land has turned into the multiple fissures. Now his family is mostly dependent on relief distributed by different agencies and government. Prashant is in need of support to keep going to school and to materialise his wish to be an actor. Subash Shrestha, 17 years, lives with his father Bashu Dev Shrestha in Gumdi VDC ward No. 6 in the Mid Development Region, Nepal. He is studying in Tamang Kharka Higher Secondary School Gumdi, Nepal. The earthquake of 25th April 2015 killed his mother Mishri Maya Shrestha when their house collapsed. In addition they lost all their property. Subash wants to continue his study so that he can meet his goal to be a painter. His father is not in condition to support for his education and Subash needs support to continue his studies. Sandhya Subedi, 8 years, lives with her Parents in Gumdi VDC, Ward No. 8, Dhading district in Mid Development Region in Nepal. She is a student of grade 8 in Tamang Kharka Higher Secondary School, Gumdi. The destructive earthquake of April 25th, 2015 collapsed her house where her parents were buried. Both her parents became disabled and her younger brother got killed. Sandhya wants to be a schoolteacher and is in need of help to make her dream come true. Barsha Simkhada is 3 years old and has just started her schooling. She lives with her uncle (Uttam Simkhada) in Gumdi VDC, Ward No. 8, Dhading district. She has started her schooling in Panchya Kanya Primary School, Gumdi. The devastating earthquake of April 25th, 2015 killed her mother Samju Simkhada and destroyed their house completely. The whereabouts of her father is not known. Barsha needs support for her education. Karuna Subedi, 6 years old, lives with her Parents in Gumdi VDC, Ward No. 8, Dhading district. She Studies in grade 3 in Panchya Kanya Primary School, Gumdi. On April 25th, 2015 during the earthquake her sister got burried and died when their house collapsed, her fahter became permanently disabled and their house got destroyed. She wants to be a schoolteacher in future. Her mother wont be able to support her to meet her dream. She needs help for her school dress, stationary and other essential support for her studies. Roshan Shrestha, 13, is from Gumdi VDC, Ward No. 6, Dhading district. He lives with his grandfather at the moment. He is a student of class 8 studying at Tamang Kharka Higher Secondary School, Gumdi. He has lost his both parents during the earthquake of 25th April 2015. Also, their house got completely destroyed. He wants to become a pilot. His grandfather is not in a state to support his further study and make his dream come true. So, Roshan needs help to continue his studies. Sabina Ghale is 17 years old and lives with her mother in Gumdi VDC, Ward No. 6, Dhading district in Mid Development Region in Nepal. She is a student of grade 8 in Tamang Kharka Higher Secondary School, Gumdi. The destructive earthquake of April 25th, 2015 killed her father Chhabi Lal Ghale. Her house collapsed to dust. Their financial condition has all of sudden changed to worst because her father was the key person in their family. Sabina wants to become a schoolteacher. Sabina is in need of support to
complete her schooling and realise her wish come true. Roshan Simkhada, 4 years old, lives with her Parents in Gumdi VDC, Ward No. 8, Dhading district in Mid Development Region of Nepal. He has just started his schooling in Pancha Kanya Primary School, Gumdi. On April 25th, 2015 his house collapsed where his grandmother was killed and left his parents physically handicap. Roshan wants to become a doctor. His disabiled parents can't support Roshan's educational ambition and is in need to help. Sangita Bhandari is 15 years old and lives with her mother in Gumdi VDC Ward No. 9, Dhading district in Mid Development Region in Nepal. She is a student of grade 8 in Tamang Kharka Higher Secondary School, Gumdi. Her father Prem Bahadur Bhandari was killed in the devastating earthquake of April 25th, 2015. Her house got completely destroyed and they lost their entire property. Sangita wants to develop her future career as an army officer. To make her wish come true, Sangita needs suppor to make her schooling possible. Puran Rana, 12 years, lives with his mother in Gumdi VDC, Ward No. 9, Dhading district in Mid Development Region in Nepal. He is a student of grade 6 in Tamang Kharka Higher Secondary School, Gumdi. His father Til Bahadur Rana Magar was killed during the devastating earthquake of April 25th, 2015. His house collapsed to the dust. His family is struggling with poverty and is compelled to take a shelter under a temporary plastic shade donated by a local NGO. Puran wants to be a schoolteacher after completing his studies. He needs support to materialise his wish. Roshani Rana Magar, 15 years, is from Gumdi VDC, Ward No. 7, Dhading . She is a student of class 8 studying at Tamang Kharka Higher Secondary School, Gumdi. Her mother died during the devastating earthquake. Their house got completely destroyed. Her father is having tough time to overcome the trauma and is suffering from post truamatic stress. Roshani wants to become a schoolteacher and work in her village. Irish Ghale, 9 yrs, lives with his mother Rini Ghale in Gumdi VDC Ward No. 6 in Mid Development Region, Nepal. The devastating earthquake of April 2015 killed his father, Ishwor Bahadur Ghale. Their house was totally destroyed. Irish wants to be a schoolteacher in future. His mother appeals for a support to help Irish go to school. Binita Ghale, 14 years, lives with her father and step mother in Gumdi VDC Ward No. 9, Dhading in Mid Development Region of Nepal. She is the student of Class 8 at Tamang Kharka Higher Secondary School, Gumdi. During the devastating earthquake of April 2015 her mother got killed. Their house collapsed. Her father married another woman after her mother died. Binita wants to become a nurse. Without an external support, Binita won't be able to make her wish come true. Sujan Thapa, 17 years, lives with his grandfather in Gumdi VDC, Ward No.9, Dhading district in Mid Development Region of Nepal. He is a student of class 9 studying at Tamang Kharka Higher Secondary School Gumdi. His father died when Sujan was still a child. His mother then married another man and left him. His grandfather brought him up. On 25th April 2015, their house got completely destroyed and they lost their entire properties. His sick grandfather is not in a state to support for his education. Sujan wants to become a police officer and requests for help to compete his schooling. Govinda Pariyar, 15 years, lives with his mother in Gumdi VDC, Ward No. 6, Dhading district in Mid Development Region of Nepal. He is a student of class 8 studying at Tamang, Kharka Higher Secondary School in Gumdi. The earthquake of 25th April 20015 killed his father Nar Singh Nepali. Their house also got destroyed and they lost their property. Govinda wants to be an accountant. Because his mother cannot support for his studies, Govinda appeals for support to enable him to continue with his education.
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Rabin Ghale, 12 years, lives with his father Ambar Bahadur Ghale in Gumdi VDC Ward No. 6, Dhading district in Mid Development Region in Nepal. He is the student of class 7 at Tamang Kharka Higher Secondary School, Gumdi. During the devastating earthquake of April 2015 his father was killed. Aslo, their house got completely destroyed. The earthquake created multiple fissures in their land making it unproductive. Rabin wants to become a laywer. His father is not able to support him with his education and is in need of help to pay for his school fees and other accessories. Puspa Ghale, 11 years, lives with her aunt in Gumdi VDC Ward No. 8, Dhading district in Mid Development Region of Nepal. She is a student of class 5 at Tamang Kharka Higher Secondary School, Gumdi. Puspa doesnot know her father as she is born out of marital relationship. When Puspa was 4 years, her mother married and left her. The earthquake of April 2015 destroyed all the properties of her aunt. Puspa wants to become a nurse and is in need of support to make her dream possible. Shanta Bahadur Ghale, 15, lives with his elder sister in Gumdi VDC, Ward No. 8, Dhading. He is a student of grade 7 at Tamang Kharka Higher Secondary School, Gumdi. During the earthquake of April 25th 2015, Shanta lost both of his Parents. His house is completely destroyed. Currently, Shanta lives with his sister. His sister has also lost her property and home during the earthquake. Shanta wants to become a professional painter. In order to make his dream come true, Shanta needs basic support like school fees, uniform and stationaries. Sanam Shrestha, 12 years, lives with his father (Jeevan Shrestha) in Gumdi VDC, Ward No. 6, Dhading district in Mid Development Region in Nepal. He is a student of grade 8 in Tamang Kharka Higher Secondary School, Gumdi. The devastating earthquake of April 25th 2015 killed his mother, Hari Kala Shrestha. Their house is completely destroyed by the earthquake. Even before the earthquake, their financial condition was very poor. Sanam wants to become a pilot in future and without external support he wont be able to materialise his wish. Nirmala Bhandari is 14 years old and lives with her mother in Gumdi VDC, Ward No. 9, Dhading district in Mid Development Region in Nepal. She is a student of grade 8 in Tamang Kharka Higher Secondary School, Gumdi. The destructive earthquake of April 25th 2015 killed her father, Nakul Bhandari, and completely destroyed their house. Nirmala wants to become a lawyer. Unless she receives external help, Nirmala won't be able meet her wish. Arjun Rana, 15 yrs, lives with his mother Ram Maya Rana Magar in Gumdi VDC Ward No. 7 in Mid Development Region, Nepal. The destructive earthquake of 25th April 2015 killed his father, Krishna Rana Magar. Arjun’s mother is struggling to cope with the losses. Arjun wants to continue with his education but his mother is not in a position to support him. Arjun does not have relatives to make his education going. He appeals for support to help him pay school and examinations fees and to purchase basic school necessities. He wants to develop his future carrier as a IT professional. Nabina Ghale, 10 yrs, lives with her maternal uncle in Gumdi VDC Ward No. 8, Dhading district in Mid Development Region in Nepal. She is a student of class 5 at Tamang Kharka Higher Secondary School, Gumdi. Her father (Ram Bahadur Ghale) died during the devastating earthquake of April 2015. Their house collapsed. After the earthquake, her mother left her alone marrying another man. Nabina, who wants to become a schoolteacher, needs help to make her education possible. Dipesh Mijar, who is 13 yrs is an inhabitants of Gumdi VDC, Ward No. 6 in Mid Development Region, Nepal. He lives with his mother Rekha Mijar. His father (Ram Mijar), a cobbler in his village, got killed during the earthquake of 25th April 2015. Their primitive house got destroyed and now taking shelter under the NGO donated zinc sheets. Dipesh wants to continue his studies and become a musician. He needs support for his
school fees, uniform and other essential materials to give continuity to his education. Tek Bahadur Gurung is 13 years old, studying in class seven in Tamang Kharka Higher Secondary School, Gumdi. He lives in the Gumdi VDC Ward No. 7 which lies in the Mid Development Region, Nepal. The destructive earthquake of 25th April 2015 killed his father, Kok Bahadur Gurung when their house collapsed. Tek Bahadur wants to continue his study so that he can meet his goal to join in the British Army. Tek needs support to make his schooling possible, to pay school and examination fees and to buy school accessories. Sagar Adhikari is 13 year-old. His father Shiva Bahadur Adhikari died when he was a child and his mother Laxmi Adhikari left him marrying another man. Sagar was getting brought up by his uncle, Thakur Kumar Adhikari and lives in Gumdi VDC Ward No. 9 in Mid Development Region of Nepal. In the earthquake of April 25th 2015 his uncle lost his property including his house. Sagar wants to become a lawyer after completing his 12 grade education. However, with out support of well-wishers, he won't be able to fulfill his dream. Sagar needs support to pay for his school and examination fees, stationaries and other school accessories. Bijay Tamang, 14 yrs, lives with his father Khadga Bahadur Tamang in Gumdi VDC, Ward No. 9, Dhadang district in Mid Development Region of Nepal. He is a student of grade 6 studying at Tamang Kharkha Higher Secondary School, Gumdi. The earthquake of 25th April 2015 killed his mother. Their house also got destroyed and lost all their properties. Their farm is converted to multiple fissures and unproductive. His father needs help to educate his son. Bijay would like to study, earn money and make difference in the life they have been living. Bijay wants to make his career as an accountant. Binita Rokka, 12 years, is from Deupur VDC Ward no 3, Kavrepalanchwok of Mid Development Region, Nepal. She is the 1st daughter of Sher Bdr Rokka and Parbati Rokka. She studies in Bramhayeni Secondary School in grade 7. The recent devastating earthquake of 25 April 2015 killed her father and completely destroyed their house. Her mother is traumatised. Coming from a dalit and economically marginalized family, thier financial situation was poor. The post earthquake situation has made Binita more vulnerable. Binita dreams to become a choreographer in future and needs help to continue with her schooling. Deepa BK, 13 years, is a daughter of Padam Bahadur BK and Pabitra BK from Mahadevsthan VDC Ward no 5, Kavrepalanchowk. She is a student of grade 7 studying at Uma Bidhya Mandir Lower Secondary School. The devastating earthquake of April 2015 killed her father and completely destroyed their home. Deepa needs support to make her schooling possible. Babita Rokka, 9 yrs, is from Deupur VDC Ward no 3, Kavrepalanchwok, Mid Development Region, Nepal. Babita's father got killed during the earthquake of April 2015. Even before the earthquake, their financial status was poor. Babita studies in grade 5 at Bramhayeni Secondary School. Besides her studies, Babita is very good in cultural programs and other social activities. She wants to be a dance teacher in future and is in need to help to make dream possible. Bibash Rokka, 7 yrs, is from Deupur VDC Ward no 3, Kavrepalanchwok, Mid Devlopment Region, Nepal. He is the third child of Sher Bahadur and Parbati Rokka. He studies at Bramhayeni Secondary School in grade 3. During the devastating earthquake of April 2015, Bibash's father got killed. His mother is not in a position to support his education and Bibash needs help to go to school. Goma BK, 14 yrs, is from Mahadevsthan VDC Ward no 5, Kavrepalanchwok, Mid Development Region. She is the first child of Padam Bdr and Pabitra BK. She is studying in grade 9 at Dedithumka Higher Secondary School. She belongs to Dalit family. The recent destructive earthquake of Nepal on 25th April 2015 killed Goma's father, Padam Bdr BK. The family has a very poor economic situation. Goma's mother is mentally disturbed
and there is a need to support Goma for her schooling. Bikram BK, 9 yrs, is a 2nd son of Sita Ram BK and Sita BK. He is from Mahadevsthan VDC Ward no 9, Kavrepalanchwok, Mid Development Region, Nepal. He is a student of grade 2 at Uma Bidhya Mandir. The devastating earthquake of 25 April 2015 killed both parents of Bikram. Besides, their house was completely destroyed. Even before the earthquake, the family was economically struggling to meet their basic needs. Currently, Bikram lives with his grandfather, who is old and unable to work. With out external support, Bikram wont be able to make his schooling possible. Amrit BK, 12 yrs, is the first son of Sita Ram BK and Sita BK. He is from Mahadevsthan VDC Ward no 9, Kavrepalanchwok. He is the student of grade 5 at Uma Bidhya Mandir. The devastating earthquake of 25 April 2015 killed both parents of Amrit. Besides, their house was completely destroyed. Even before the earthquake, their economic situation was poor. Currently, along with his brother Amrit lives with his grandfather, who is old and unable to work. Amit needs external support to go to school. Sachin Rai, 3 yrs, is a son of Narayan Rai and Shova Rai. He is from Mahadevsthan VDC Ward no 1, Kavre, Mid Development Region, Nepal. He has just started his schooling at Dedithumka Lower Secondary School. The devastating earthquake of 25 April 2015
Participants during the Spirutual sermon in Adelaide, 2015. Photo credit, Sashi Dhakal, Adelaide
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Profile of the Scholarship Recipients from Ethiopia Ararsa Abera Waktola, 10 years has no parents. His is good in his academic performance. The well wishers in the community had been assisting and encouraging him to go to schools. However, with out support Ararsa wont be able to keeping going to school. Tujube Dereje Aboma, 12 years is a student of grade five. Her guardians make hand to mouth living through chopping of firewood and selling in the nearby market. She is in need of help for her school uniform and school necessities. Yenenash Fayisa Badada, 10 years, is a student of grade four. Her mother is disabled (amputated leg) and makes her living through begging. Though Yenenash needs to assist her mother in her daily living and take household responsibilities, she is doing good in her studies. Yenenash needs support to make her education possible. Ayana Eshetu Maru, 10 years, is a student of grade four. His mother died at young age due to breast cancer. His father with pre-existent poor financial status is struggling to cope with the loss. Ayana is excellent in his study and managed to get jump the grade with a double promotion. He is in a desperate need of support to continue his schooling. Scholarship Recipients with their parents in Ethiopia. Photo credit, Moti Muleta
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9. Decisions and Future Programs The 18th board meeting of the Punya Foundation, conducted on 20 December 2015, decided the following: • To phase out scholarship programs in the Bhutanese refugee camps in Nepal and adult education program in the refugee-affected area. • To look for productive empowerment program in Nepal, focusing on skilled training or income generating program. • To continue and expand projects to support poor and vulnerable women and children victims of violence and sexual assaults in Africa. • To expand and continue with the scholarship program for children who lost at least one of their parents in Nepal. • To expand networking and establish teams in different countries. One of the puran volunteers receives a certificate of acknowledgment. Photo credit Sashi Dhakal, Adelaide
10. Fund generation initiatives Past years, the source of income of the Punya Foundation had been mostly through individual donations. In 2015, the Foundation received donations from individuals, community organisations, organised group initiatives, schools and through crowd funding. Mr. Hem Lal Timsina, a Bhutanese-Canadian has been very generous to donate 1000 USD consecutively for last 3 years. Dr. Julia Sterk-Blaauw, an Elderly Care Physician, practicing medicine in Amsterdam diverted gifts of her marriage Silver Jubilee to support education of vulnerable children in Nepal. Similarly, the Foundation is very pleased to receive financial support from Bhutanese organisations like the Bhutanese Community in Utah (BCU), the Global Bhutan and the Canadian Bhutanese Association (CABTAS), the Australian Bhutanese Association - Youths (ABA Youths) and the Adelaide based Kirtan Mandali. Also, the Foundation is very thankful to New Town High School and Cosgrove High School in Tasmania for their donation. The Punya Foundation receives donations in the following three ways: 1. Deposits in Australian dollars in the Foundation’s bank account in Australia 2. Donations in US dollars (USD) through PayPal. 3. Cash donations in Australian dollars.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT: FOUNDATION’S DONORS YEAR 2015
1. Donors from Australia
Name of Donor Amount(AUD) Abi Narayan Pokhrel 51.00 Amrita Khadka 30.00 Ananta Ghising 150.00 Anuka Bhandari 20.00 Asal Kirtan Mandali 1500 Bal Krishna Dhakal 22.00 Beda Bista 20.00 Beda Khatiwada 150.00 Benu Adhikari 20.00 Bhakta Khadka 10.00 Bhawani Gautam 31.00 Bhim Bahadur Bista 10.00 Bhim Bahadur Thapa 10.00 Bhim Dahal 20.00 Bhim Dhamala & Family 135.00 Bhim/Devendra Gautam 150.00 Bhim Karki 20.00 Bhim Maya Gautam 15.00 Bhim Poudel 10.00 Bhola Dhamala 100.00 Bhutan News Network* 400.00 Bishnu Khadka 10.00 Bishnu Kumari Sharma 51.00 Bishnu Maya Dahal 21.00 Bishnu Maya Khadka 20.10 Bishnu Maya Tamang 20.00 Boudha Gautam 26.00 Chandra Maya Kadariya 10.00 Chhabi Dabadi 94.70 Chhabi Gautam 20.00 Chhatra Bhattarai 20.00 Chhatra Dangal 30.00 Chhatra Karki 25.00 Chudamani Pokhrel 21.00 Damber Prasad Gautam 10.00 Damodar Niroula 20.00 Deepak Dhimal 300.00 Deo Bahadur Dahal 51.00 Deo Maya Khatiwada 51.00 Deo Narayan Dhakal 30.00 Deodatta Gautam 51.00 Devaki Subedi 15.00 Devi Maya Dhungana 08.00 Dhan Maya Adhikari 10.00 Dhan Maya Basnet 52.00 Dharma Adhikari 150.00 Dharma Dhoj Bhattarai 20.00 Dharma Raj Adhikari 50.00 Dharma Timsina 15.00 Dharmendhar Khatiwada 150.00 Dik Bahadur Kafley 10.00 Dil Bahadur Basnet 25.00 Dil Maya Karki 101.00 Dilli Maya Ghimire 20.00 Dilli Ram Adhikari 50.00 Dilli Ram Dahal 20.00 Dilli Ram Dhakal 30.00 Dilli Ram Gautam 95.00 Dilli Ram Sanyasi 15.00 Dinesh Adhikari 30.00 Doma Nath Dahal 20.00 Durga Adhikari 20.00 Ganga Khanal 25.00
Ganga Ram Adhikari 20.00 Ganga Ram Bhattarai 51.00 Gary Gooley/Cosgrove High School 849 Govinda Bhattarai 45.00 Govinda Gautam 15.00 Guman Singh Chouhan 20.00 Guna Nath Bhandari 20.00 Hari Adhikari 52.00 Hari Khatiwada 51.00 Hari Pokharel 150.00 Hari Prasad Dhungel 21.00 Hasta Khatiwada 10.00 Hem Chapagai 21.00 Hemanta Dhungel 51.00 Hom Prakash Dhamala 150.00 Indira Dhungel 300.00 Indira Dulal 25.00 Indra Adhikari 10.00 Indra Bahadur Bista 20.00 Indra Rizal 550.00 Jagan Nath Acharya 10.00 Jagan Nath Adhikari 10.00 Jai Bhandari 51.00 Jeewan Ghimire 25.00 Kamal Bajgai 25.00 Kamal Bajgai 150.00 Kamal Dahal 51.00 Kamal Dahal 50.00 Kamal Dahal 100.00 Kapil Muni Dulal 21.00 Karna Karki 25.00 Kashi Adhikari 20.00 Kashi Adhikari 150.00 Kedar Chapagai 25.00 Keshab Bhandari 20.00 Khadananda Dhakal 21.00 Khadananda Ghimirey 31.00 Khagendra Khatiwada 21.00 Khem Khanal 50.00 Khem Prasad Adhikari 30.00 Khem Subedi 10.00 Khim Lal Subedi 20.00 Khina Maya Adhikari 20.00 Krishna Maya Dahal 15.00 Kula Chandra Bhandari 52.00 Kunti Maya Dahal 51.00 Lal Bahadur Rai 30.00 Lal Bahadur Thapa 11.00 Lalu Maya Subedi 60.50 Laxman Gurung 10.00 Laxmi Dahal 31.00 Leela Kafley 10.00 Lilawati Timsina 51.00 Lok Nath Ghimirey 31.00 Lok Nath Rimal 20.00 Lok Poudel 10.00 Mani Prasad Ghimirey 51.00 Manju Dallakoti 20.00 Mary Ceravolo 160.00 Maya Katel 10.00 Menuka Kafley 20.00 Mohan Bhattarai 25.00 Mon Bahadur Poudyel 25.00 Mon Maya Niroula 52.00 Monorath Timsina 20.00 N B Magar 30.00
Naina Kala Dhungel 20.00 Naindra Bahadur Basnet 15.00 Nanda Lal Adhikari 93.00 Nanda Lal Dahal 10.00 Nar Bahadur Khatiwada 20.00 Nar Bahadur Magar 138.70 Nar Maya Chhetri 10.00 Narad Bajgain 10.00 Narad Dahal 20.00 Naradmuni Subedi & Family 132.00 Narayan Bhattarai 51.00 Netra Dahal 150.00 New Town High School *** 1082.45 Nil Gautam 150.00 Nitesh Khatiwada 10.00 Pabitra Dahal 150.00 Pabitra Gautam 20.00 Padam Chouhan 20.00 Panday Family 20.00 Pavitra Bhattarai 15.00 Prakash Karki 101.00 Prakash Niroula 21.00 Prem Gurung 20.00 Purna Basnet & Family 555.00 Puskar Dhakal 100.00 Puspa Dhakal 101.00 Puspalal Bajgain 20.00 Radhika Gautam 10.00 Ram Dhakal 25.00 Ram Krishna Bista 10.00 Rup Khadka 20.00 Rup Narayan Kafley 30.00 Sanman Kafley 25.00 Santi Ram Upadhaya Dhakal 250.00 Sashidhar Dhakal 100.00 Satya Rupa Bhattarai 10.00 Shiva Luitel 30.00 Shriman Chouhan 20.00 Shriman Khatiwada 11.00 Som Nath Bhattarai 90.00 Sridhar Neupane 55.00 Subash Dhungana 20.00 Suk Dev Dahal 20.00 Suman Bhattarai 20.00 Sushil Pokhrel & Family 201.00 Tara Bir Basnet 10.00 Tara Mani Gautam 51.00 Tek Bahadur Bhattarai 52.00 Tek Bhandari 55.00 Tek Nath Adhikari 21.00 Tika Ram Adhikari 200.00 Tika Ram Bhandari 50.00 Tika Ram Dabadi 51.00 Til Bahadur Gurung 10.00 Tilachand Timsina 60.00 Tilarupa Khatiwada 51.00 Tilchand Sapkota & Family 112.50 Tulsi Koirala 10.00 Yadu Subedi 20.00 Yam Khatiwada 15.00 Yati Raj Neupane 10.00 *
Donation received through I.P. Adhikari
** Mr. Gary Gooley, students & staff of Cosgrove High School (Coordinated by Mr. Khadga Thapa) *** New Town High School, Student and Staff (Coordinated by Mr. Khadga Thapa)
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2. Donors from U.S.A Name of donor Amount(USD) Bhakta Ghimire 50.00 Bishnu Niroula 100.00 Buddha Dhakal 50.00 Chandra Sapkota 100.00 Devi Dhungel 51.00 Devi Dulal 100.00 Dhruva Mishra 100.00 Dr. Laxmi N Dhakal 51.00 Gyanu Dulal 100.00 Hasta Bhattarai 100.00 Hem Rizal 100.00 Hem Sharma &Neeru 100.00 Karna Adhikari 100.00 Padam Rizal 100.00 Pita Dulal 100.00 Ram Phuyal 120.00 Rom Bista 100.00 Shanti R Poudel 200.00 Sudarson Adhikari 100.00 T.P. Mishra 65.00 Tara Sapkota 100.00 Tek Mishra 51.00 Upendra Dahal 100.00 Vidhyapati Mishra 100.00 Yadhu P Acharya 100.00 Yam Kharel 100.00 Bhutanese Community of Utah 1550.00
3. Donors from Canada Name of donor Amount(CAD) Ambika Acharya 51.00 Bidesh Dhakal 21.00 Bidur Adhikari 50.00 Bikash Adhikari 25.00 Binod Sharma 320.00 Bunu Kharel 20.00 Chabi Dhakal 100.00 Chali acharya (Dahal) 50.00 Chandra Acharya 50.00 Chandra chamlagai 25.00 Dhani Adhikari 30.00 Ganga Chamlagai 10.00 GlobalBhutan & CABTAS* 829.00** Hemlal Timsina 1000.00** Kamal Bajgai 30.00 kapila Bajgai 50.00 Kendria Helm 10.00 Kumar Kharel 21.00 Manisha Regmi 25.00 Narayan Khatiwoda 50.00 Nirmala Kharel 15.00 pralad niroula 50.00 Prem karki 50.00 Ram Adhikari 50.00 Sita chouhan 50.00 Srijana Khatiwada 15.00 Tracy Vo 20.00
4. Donors from Europe Aiman Monger Ellen A vd Meulen J C Vedder e/o Ms S B Julia Sterk-Blaauw Lakshmi Prasad Dhakal Marijke vd Veen Ramesh Gautam Thessa Muijser Name Wthheld
90.00 USD 50.00 Euro 150.00 Euro 1598.56 AUD 300.00 AUD 50.00 Euro 100.00 USD 30.00 USD 150.00 USD
* GlobalBhutan & CABTAS through Chabi Dhakal ** Donation made in USD.
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Auditor’s Report
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Kirtan in house of one of the members of Kirtan Mandali, 2016, Photo credit, Sashi Dhakal, Adelaide
REP ORT 20 NU AL
The Punya Foundation 80 Diment Road Salisbury N., South Australia 5108 Tel: +61-08-82851598
[email protected] www.punyafoundation.org
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Contact:
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PUNYA FOUNDATION
