We've had a wonderful response to our planned Family Trek for 2010.
Due to the majority of people expressing interest being adult, we've decided to go to the culturally more interesting Helambu for a 7 day trek and we'll be staying in village lodges and meeting the locals. It is shaping up to be an interesting and diverse group of like minded souls all interested in Nepal and the betterment of women and girls (in particular!) there.
This means for those of you who were concerned about camping, fear no more! All of the accommodation will be in lodges and guest houses. The structure of the trek also means there will be less walking than before, only about 4 hours per day on average.
We need confirmation by way of deposits by the end of November and there are a few spaces left so do get in touch if you are interested!
23 November 2009
Dream Centre Graduation!
Last Friday we were honoured and excited to attend the graduation program for the first group of girls from our pilot Dream Centre. The Centre has been open for almost 5 months and 15 girls have successfully completed the 4.5 month course covering 'skills for learning, skills for life'.The day was a chance to share some of the things they have learned as well as a celebration of their new-found confidence and pride. Key topics covered during the program include communication, motivation, co-operation, leadership, confidence, gratitude, appreciating differences, inclusive thinking, optimism, emotion management, critical thinking, decision making and problem solving.
Some highlights of the program included a drama written by some of the girls to highlight the importance of friendship (appreciating differences, inclusive thinking and gratitude), a number of dances choreographed by the girls, and some speeches from a few of the girls on their Dream Centre experience. It really was startling to think it was the same group of girls we had met a short while ago who were then very quiet and shy. Now their determination and improved self-esteem was on display for all to see!The program concluded with the presentation of graduation certificates and memory books which the girls had been working on during the program. The Dream Centre facilitators had included an inspiring message in each of the books as a keepsake for the girls to remember their Dream Centre experience. We also presented some small prizes for the girls who excelled in certain areas such as creativity, spelling, speaking etc.
With the second Dream Centre set to open shortly the day was a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the success of the program so far as well as building excitement for it's growth in the future. A huge thank you must as always go to our three facilitators who have done an amazing job in transforming the lives of this first group of girls!
18 November 2009
Lots happening in Kathmandu
Just a quick post as I have been off the air for a while due to internet difficulties here in Nepal! Bec and I have been here for the last 10 days or so and in that time we have been run off our feet with volunteers, workshops, meetings and lots of exciting things being planned for next year.
I'll be posting updates on each of these things in the coming days. In brief, we have had a volunteer run a two-day workshop for women journalists, two volunteers run a two-day workshop for Maths teachers, witnessed the graduation of the first group of girls from our pilot Dream Centre, finalised the location for the next Dream Centre, hosted a workshop on dreaming for graduates of our Daisy Chains project, the list goes on!
Stay tuned...
I'll be posting updates on each of these things in the coming days. In brief, we have had a volunteer run a two-day workshop for women journalists, two volunteers run a two-day workshop for Maths teachers, witnessed the graduation of the first group of girls from our pilot Dream Centre, finalised the location for the next Dream Centre, hosted a workshop on dreaming for graduates of our Daisy Chains project, the list goes on!
Stay tuned...
23 October 2009
Amazing People!
I recently posted a message from Yegane, a former volunteer who was raising money for Mitrataa by running the Chicago marathon. Well I am so proud and happy to report that Yegane completed the marathon in a fantastic time of 4:22:00. This is particularly impressive when you think that the temperature only reached 5°C towards the end of the marathon! As well as this mighty effort, through her friends and supporters Yegane has managed to raise around AU$2,000 for Mitrataa. So to all of these people we say a huge "thank you"!
We also recently received a AU$700 donation from a group of friends who have adopted Mitrataa as their charity for fundraising events through their work social club. To raise this money the group held a trivia night and also a muffin sale for morning tea in their office. Thanks so much guys!
These are just two examples of how easy it is for anyone to contribute and make a difference to any cause that is important to them.
With AU$2,700 in Nepal we can:
* Educate 40 women in basic literacy, numeracy and business skills, and give them a small loan to start a business; and
* Send 2 Nepali girls to school for a year, giving them books, stationery, uniforms and everything else they need to study.
So as you can see, so much can be achieved with relatively small amounts of money - so many lives can be changed forever.
Thank you so much again to Yegane and everyone mentioned above, and to all of our supporters. It is due to all of you that we are able to do something to substantially change the lives of women and girls in Nepal.
We also recently received a AU$700 donation from a group of friends who have adopted Mitrataa as their charity for fundraising events through their work social club. To raise this money the group held a trivia night and also a muffin sale for morning tea in their office. Thanks so much guys!
These are just two examples of how easy it is for anyone to contribute and make a difference to any cause that is important to them.
With AU$2,700 in Nepal we can:
* Educate 40 women in basic literacy, numeracy and business skills, and give them a small loan to start a business; and
* Send 2 Nepali girls to school for a year, giving them books, stationery, uniforms and everything else they need to study.
So as you can see, so much can be achieved with relatively small amounts of money - so many lives can be changed forever.
Thank you so much again to Yegane and everyone mentioned above, and to all of our supporters. It is due to all of you that we are able to do something to substantially change the lives of women and girls in Nepal.
19 October 2009
Family Trek 2010
We are excited to share that our first fundraising trek will take place in April next year (2010). This trip will provide a fantastic opportunity for you and a relative to visit Nepal, participate in a relatively easy trek that allows you to take in some breathtaking views of the Himalayas, and visit some of our projects in and around Kathmandu.
We have designed the trip with families in mind making it ideal for parents and children, brothers and sisters, couples etc. Numbers for the trip will be kept quite small, up to about 16 people maximum, so it also provides the perfect opportunity to meet people who share your interest in Nepal.
More information about the trip can be found at our website.
Contact details are also provided on the site or you can email me directly for more information including pricing. Closing date for bookings for the trip is 30 November 2009.
We look forward to the opportunity of sharing the beauty and magic of Nepal with you!
We have designed the trip with families in mind making it ideal for parents and children, brothers and sisters, couples etc. Numbers for the trip will be kept quite small, up to about 16 people maximum, so it also provides the perfect opportunity to meet people who share your interest in Nepal. 
More information about the trip can be found at our website. Contact details are also provided on the site or you can email me directly for more information including pricing. Closing date for bookings for the trip is 30 November 2009.
We look forward to the opportunity of sharing the beauty and magic of Nepal with you!
09 October 2009
Chicago Marathon Fundraiser
Hi! Below is a post from a volunteer who is now running the Chicago Marathon to raise money for Mitrataa(!).
Hello!
I hope life is treating you well.
Last December while in Nepal, I had the privilege to have a short volunteering experience where I visited about 10 literacy classes for the girls and women of Kathmandu sponsored by Mitrataa Foundation which is a small charity founded and ran by a couple of kind Australians. I was asked by Mitrataa to assess the progress of the classes. I was amazed with the enthusiasm of the students whose age varied between 14 and 60! I was told by the teacher of a class that a student who was 60 years old filled a whole exercise book as soon as she could write her name first time in her life! The classes also teach women how to start and run a small business so that women are empowered to have a better life over all. (This is our Daisy Chains project.)
Most of the students attended the classes in between their chores and earning a living while working in terrible conditions for less than a dollar a day. After this short but incredible experience, I promised myself that my next fund raising effort would be for the Mitrataa Foundation as I have seen what they try to provide to these unfortunate women who happened to be born in the wrong part of the world.
Due to being based away from all friends (e.g. being in my home town in Turkey for the past 3 months) I didn't think it was logistically possible for me to have a fund raiser effort for the Chicago Marathon that I am suppose to run on Sunday. BUT I have not done much training and I really need an incentive to finish the bloody thing! I NEED your help! Please, please would you sponsor me so that I finish the Marathon? I am going to be in huge pain and may give up half way because after all what is the point? But if I know that those less fortunate than me will benefit from my pain, I will continue until the end! GO ON - help me and those who really really need it!
And here are the pictures of my visit to these classes.
With tons of love.
Yegane
PS - When you pledge, I will give you the link to make an online donation - so it is dead easy!
To donate now, click here to go to our website and then click on the blue 'Make a Donation' button in the top right corner. This will take you to our PayPal page and from there just follow the instructions.
Hello!
I hope life is treating you well.
Last December while in Nepal, I had the privilege to have a short volunteering experience where I visited about 10 literacy classes for the girls and women of Kathmandu sponsored by Mitrataa Foundation which is a small charity founded and ran by a couple of kind Australians. I was asked by Mitrataa to assess the progress of the classes. I was amazed with the enthusiasm of the students whose age varied between 14 and 60! I was told by the teacher of a class that a student who was 60 years old filled a whole exercise book as soon as she could write her name first time in her life! The classes also teach women how to start and run a small business so that women are empowered to have a better life over all. (This is our Daisy Chains project.)
Most of the students attended the classes in between their chores and earning a living while working in terrible conditions for less than a dollar a day. After this short but incredible experience, I promised myself that my next fund raising effort would be for the Mitrataa Foundation as I have seen what they try to provide to these unfortunate women who happened to be born in the wrong part of the world.
Due to being based away from all friends (e.g. being in my home town in Turkey for the past 3 months) I didn't think it was logistically possible for me to have a fund raiser effort for the Chicago Marathon that I am suppose to run on Sunday. BUT I have not done much training and I really need an incentive to finish the bloody thing! I NEED your help! Please, please would you sponsor me so that I finish the Marathon? I am going to be in huge pain and may give up half way because after all what is the point? But if I know that those less fortunate than me will benefit from my pain, I will continue until the end! GO ON - help me and those who really really need it!
And here are the pictures of my visit to these classes.
With tons of love.
Yegane
PS - When you pledge, I will give you the link to make an online donation - so it is dead easy!
To donate now, click here to go to our website and then click on the blue 'Make a Donation' button in the top right corner. This will take you to our PayPal page and from there just follow the instructions.
30 September 2009
Because I Am A Girl
Just wanted to share a website and report that Bec and I recently discovered that really resonates with us and the justification for Mitrataa's work in Nepal.
The site is part of Plan International Australia and is called 'Because I am a girl'.
The site proves interesting reading as it includes loads of information on the justification for investing in the education of girls and women. It also has a page dealing with the question 'what about boys'? This is a question I face a lot when giving presentations and unfortunately it is one of the most difficult to answer. Unless you have visited a country such as Nepal and seen the gender discrimination that is endemic in every aspect of society it is very hard to imagine.
The 2009 report on the site is also interesting reading. It gives a lot of information and statistics and the current situation with some surprising and disturbing trends. For example, in some places affected by the global financial crisis, 7 out of the 10 workers laid off are women! The trickle-down effect of this situation is obvious.
As always, we believe education is the best long term solution for these challenges and that is what we will continue to do. All evidence points to the fact that educating women and girls increases the likelihood of them educating the next generation as well as taking better care of their families and contributing to local economies. Mitrataa runs 2 programs specifically targeting education of women and girls:
1. Dream Catchers - scholarships for girls to attend school; and
2. Daisy Chains - literacy, business training and micro-loans for women.
Please do get in touch to find out more, contribute, or become involved.
The site is part of Plan International Australia and is called 'Because I am a girl'.
The site proves interesting reading as it includes loads of information on the justification for investing in the education of girls and women. It also has a page dealing with the question 'what about boys'? This is a question I face a lot when giving presentations and unfortunately it is one of the most difficult to answer. Unless you have visited a country such as Nepal and seen the gender discrimination that is endemic in every aspect of society it is very hard to imagine.
The 2009 report on the site is also interesting reading. It gives a lot of information and statistics and the current situation with some surprising and disturbing trends. For example, in some places affected by the global financial crisis, 7 out of the 10 workers laid off are women! The trickle-down effect of this situation is obvious.
As always, we believe education is the best long term solution for these challenges and that is what we will continue to do. All evidence points to the fact that educating women and girls increases the likelihood of them educating the next generation as well as taking better care of their families and contributing to local economies. Mitrataa runs 2 programs specifically targeting education of women and girls:
1. Dream Catchers - scholarships for girls to attend school; and
2. Daisy Chains - literacy, business training and micro-loans for women.
Please do get in touch to find out more, contribute, or become involved.
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