 HIO firmly believes that every Nepali girl and woman deserves the chance to exercise her basic human rights and realize her full potential. Education makes all the difference as the segue to a better life. Dear Friends, According to the The Kathmandu Post, about 300 Nepali NGOs will be defunded for at least 90 days and possibly forever through cuts to USAID. These cuts are already affecting areas of education, health care, agriculture, and social development, stripping people of basic services necessary for their well-being. In the wake of the suffering, we wanted to let you to know that HIO is not being directly affected by the freeze on USAID programs. HIO’s loving commitment to educating girls and their mothers in Nepal remains unwavering. HIO’s operating budget does not depend on US government assistance. Our programming is completely supported by you, our sponsors and donors. Grants we receive from private foundations are not currently subject to US government policy shifts. That’s comforting news. Our ability to provide the caring, effective programming and services you’ve come to expect from this small but mighty organization will remain steadfast. Thanks to you, our investment in the lives of HIO girls encourages a path from generational poverty to a life with financial possibilities. In these gravely uncertain times, HIO remains a beacon of hope. We’re deeply appreciative of your generous donations to our program reserve fund that encourage HIO’s programming to continue undisrupted, even when economic crises arise. Your loyalty to our mission makes this organization thrive. Though our U.S. economy may suffer in the months and years ahead, your strong trust in HIO’s financial stewardship will shine like the eager faces of our girls in Nepal. They depend on us for stability and guidance. We won’t let them down. With deep gratitude — Ricky and Laura  Kistal, a hardworking second grader, is so grateful for the loving support of her HIO sponsor, Chris Sewall, who she met in Kathmandu last November.
0 Comments
 We’re so pleased to welcome Mamata Rai to her new position as Executive Director of HIO-Nepal. The next generation of HIO girls can truly reach for the stars with Mamata serving as their role model and mentor. Dear Friends, Navigating the gender-biased cultural norms deeply entrenched in Nepal’s male-dominated society is a profound challenge, especially for girls and women living on the edge. Mamata Rai, our new Executive Director in Kathmandu, knows firsthand what it’s like growing up within HIO’s loving network of support. First sponsored at age seven, Mamata has an intense desire to pay her own gifts of education forward. To help change the lives of girls and women now under her vigilant care. It’s heartwarming to witness Mamata’s remarkable transformation. Coming from a marginalized, ethnic minority adds an extra layer of complexity to her story. Growing up poor has helped instill in Mamata a sense of humility. With sparkling eyes, sharp wit, and a captivating sense of humor, she demonstrates the wisdom of someone twice her age. It seems a small miracle that Mamata was chosen to be sponsored by HIO. There’s an endless pool of poor children needing support in Kathmandu. Mamata’s mother, Ram Kumari, was a weaver in a small, Tibetan carpet factory. As with most HIO girls, Mamata’s family lived in a tiny rented room the size of a closet. Even as a young girl, Mamata understood on so many levels that providing for her family would ultimately become her responsibility one day.  As a young HIO-sponsored girl, Mamata was small, solid, verbal and the light of her mother’s eye. She was fiercely committed to getting an education, staying focused and finding a decent job. After Mamata graduated from high school, HIO helped organize a job for her as a “house parent” for the school she attended. She was later offered a job with the Adara group, an Australian based non-profit dedicated to uplifting the poor. The first thing Mamata did with her increased salary was pay for her own social work degree. Passing all of her classes with flying colors confirmed that social work was her calling. Mamata volunteered on the HIO-Nepal board for ten years while employed as a social worker for other non-profits in Nepal. In 2022, she was hired to serve as our full-time Director of Social Services in Kathmandu, working alongside her lifelong mentor, Ram Adhikari. Together, the two were a formidable force for good. With Ram retiring at the close of 2024, Mamata was the logical choice for leading HIO programs into the future.
 With her keen listening, organizational and problem-solving skills, Mamata has earned the trust and respect of all in our HIO community. Mamata is truly a “boots on the ground” director. In addition to managing all administrative aspects of HIO-Nepal, she maintains a regular schedule of home and school visits, helping ensure all HIO girls and their mothers feel seen and heard. Mamata oversees our dedicated and passionate social work team that delivers a range of wraparound social services. Managing food distributions, healthcare, dental visits, emergency relief, as well as afterschool classes for our girls and empowerment programming for their mothers appears effortless under Mamata’s strong leadership.
Please join us in congratulating Mamata on her well-deserved appointment as Executive Director. Our organization is in excellent hands to effectively implement our mission. Mamata’s success is truly a success for us all. With loving gratitude - Ricky and Laura |
|
|