Sponsor a child in Nepal

FOR $100 A YEAR YOU CAN HELP A DALIT CHILD HAVE A FUTURE

This is Sapana with her father. The family owns a buffalo, a one room house and a tiny plot of land.  They live in a remote village on the side of a steep mountain. Sapana has two siblings, and there is not enough money to send her to school, although she is bright.  When we visited, we gave her a tooth brush, - and she beamed. She was spunky and confident, and took my hand while jumping and skipping as we walked.

We don’t have much information about Sapana - nor about her dreams for the future. But her circumstances are typical for children of Dalit families: They don’t own sufficient land to feed everyone. They work as day laborers for next to nothing, and often have to send their children to work, or keep them home to help with chores. A large percentage of Dalit children, especially girls never attend school.  A scant .03 percent of Dalit children pass the annual national school leaving certificate exam, the only gateway to higher education.

EDWON wants to promote education for the poorest Dalit children through a sponsorship program. Briefly, here is how it works:

The family receives a stipend for a school uniform, supplies, and better nutrition. They promise to send the child to school, not work.

You will receive annual updates on the child’s progress and general situation, and if at all possible, a personal letter and pictures.

EDWON supports both boys and girls. The children are selected by the women’s groups. We have been impressed by the women’s selflessness in their choices and the unanimity of who is most needy among them.

As a special incentive to be a part of this worthwhile program, any Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Nepal can receive a $20 gift certificate from a member's website, www.Silvergemshop.com. Just indicate on the application that ou are a RPCV and contact Aaron at info@friendsofnepal.com.

For information on how to become a sponsor please contact Eva at info@edwon.org

HOW DOES THE SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM WORK?

HOW ARE THE STUDENTS SELECTED?

We have asked members of our women's groups to select students from their midst, whom they think are particularly needy or deserving of being sponsored. We have been surprised by the unanimity or their choices. We accept both boys and girls.

CAN I SPONSOR A GIRL, PLEASE?

Yes, girls are at a particular disadvantage in Nepali society, but we cannot promise you a girl. Members of our women’s groups fully understand the need to educate girls, and choose girls and boys in equal numbers, because everyone has the right to an education. We have decided to respect the women’s choices and we seem to get an equal number of boys and girls to be sponsored.

In addition to this sponsorship program, EDWON has its own SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM to help girls with higher education. You are welcome to make a separate donation to EDWON.

HOW LONG IS MY COMMITMENT?

The sponsor promises to support the child for at least three years - but we hope for continued support until the child has passed the SLC- the national school leaving exam given after 10th grade.

WHAT IS MY COST?

As a sponsor you will be asked to contribute $100, due every April 1st.  To sign up for this year, $75 is payable now to cover the cost for this year until April 2007.

HOW IS MY CONTRIBUTION SPENT?

The child's family will use the sum to pay for school uniform, supplies, and if applicable tuition, and good nutrition and clothing. The rest of your contribution is a stipend to the family as encouragement to send the child to school instead of work.

15% of your sponsorship fee is kept aside for administration.  

HOW CAN I FOLLOW MY CHILD?

You will receive an update on your child twice a year as well as photos, and if at all possible, letters. Our staff in Kathmandu visits your child four times a year, when the family receives one quarter of the annual stipend. Our staff member meets with the child the family and the school to assess your child’s progress and the family situation. If there are problems our staff member tries to help solving them and acts as a resource. She or he also takes pictures and assists with letter writing. A short report is prepared after each visit.

HOW CAN I ESTABLISH A PERSONAL CONNECTION TO MY CHILD?

You are encouraged to write letters telling her/him about yourself, your family and your world, but please do not make promises you cannot keep, even veiled ones.  We discourage mailing care packages, even though the need is great. It would be an undue burden for our staff members to deliver them. But monetary assistance is welcome.

HOW DO I GET STARTED ON MY SPONSORSHIP?

Upon sending in your contribution, you will receive photos and a profile of the child and the family. The amount of detailed information we have on each family and child at this point varies a great deal.

You may send a check with your signed contract or pay immediately with a credit card or paypal account using this link. In either case please send the signed contract to Eva at the address listed on the contract.

For more information call Eva 617-864-1861