News
Read stories and updates from our work with the children of Nepal. To find our old newsletters from 2003 to 2018, visit the archive! Otherwise, click in the search bar below to locate blogs on a topics you’re interested in.
Why Miles for Mitrata Kids?
Outside of Contact Center sponsorships, Miles for Mitrata Kids fully funds the Contact Center! We have currently raised 69% our fundraising goal, but only have 56% of our goal participants. We would be unable to operate the Contact Center without our dedicated Contact Center sponsors, and the participants and donors of Miles for Mitrata Kids. Would you consider being a participant or donor?
A Fulfilling Request
“We currently have a higher than typical number of new children entering the program and needing support. If you have ever considered becoming a sponsor, now is a great time to learn more about sponsorship!” A message on sponsorship from Danny Williger, the Chair of Mitrata’s Sponsorship Committee.
Miles for Mitrata Kids 2023 Progress Update
We have officially completed the first month of Miles for Mitrata Kids (M4MK) 2023! This year, our goal is for at least 50 participants to raise $30,000 for our Contact Center. So far, we have reached nearly half our goal participants, and we are well on our way to raising our goal amount of funds!
Miles “FOUR” Mitrata Kids 2023
For the fourth year, one of our most popular events, Miles for Mitrata Kids (M4MK) is back for 2023. Once again, we invite you and your entire family to participate as an individual or a team and join us in supporting the health and well-being of children in Nepal. All proceeds will benefit the Contact Center, and everyone who participates will receive a FREE t-shirt!
What does it mean to Fund-A-Need?
This year, at our Saturday, April 15, Trivia Night, we will be fundraising for both necessity and fun! During the event, we will have a Fund-A-Need auction that will give attendees the opportunity to provide the children at the new Contact Center with clean water, a multi-day discovery trip for 25 older children, and a much-loved Contact Center field trip to the Fun Park that will include pizza and ice cream. Although the auction will take place during the event, you can donate to the Fund-A-Need anytime before, during, or after the event here:
Travel to Nepal with us in 2023!
We are thrilled to announce our 2023 trip to Nepal from September 29-October 15. We are so excited to return to Nepal this year, and we would love to have many friends of Mitrata join us in this incredible experience!
Happy Holidays!
Dr. Christine Schutz, Executive Director, reflects on the past year’s events, including the 20th Anniversary Celebration, in-person Holiday Bazaar, and finally returning to Nepal! It was a year filled with many wonderful experiences, and it wouldn’t have been possible without YOU, our Mitrata friends.
A Busy Day At The Contact Center
Eight sponsors, Dr. Christine Schutz and Anna Wertman spent a busy day at the new Contact Center, our early childhood school readiness program in Balaju, Kathmandu. After spending a busy morning at the Contact Center, we left the children to their studies and went to visit the Vibhuti Vidhya Mandir School. We were then able to take a walk through the neighborhood and visit a few of our Contact Center students at home.
Celebrating Tihar in Nepal
This week, our Executive Director and Founder, Dr. Christine Schutz, and Director of Development and Operations, Alexis Mead, are celebrating the Tihar Festival in Nepal with the entire BSF staff and Contact Center children. Tihar, also known as Deepawali, is a five-day-long Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal. They celebrate Tihar by honoring the Hindu goddess of prosperity, Laxmi. Tihar is also known as the festival of lights, where diyas are lit both inside and outside the houses to welcome the spirit of Laxmi. The festival is considered to be of great importance as it shows reverence to not just the humans and the gods, but also to the animals like crows, cows, and dogs who maintain an intense relationship with humans.
Happy Dashain!
Every year, our children and staff celebrate the holiday Dashain at our Contact Center. Dashain is one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated in Nepal every year. It takes place in the fall season, which is typically during our months of September and October. The festival lasts a full 15 days or more, and is meant to celebrate victory of good over evil!