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.
Gertraud Wild: One of Mitrata’s First Sponsors
Although our 20th Anniversary Celebration is over, we are still taking the time to reminisce on the past 20 years. This week, we are sharing a lovely story from Gertraud Wild, one of Mitrata’s first child sponsors. Gertraud was brave enough to go with Christine on the first sponsor trip to Nepal in 2003, despite the country being in a Civil War! Keep reading to learn more about these experiences from Gertraud’s perspective:
Strategic Planning
“This year’s strategic planning session was very special. It was the first meeting since 2019 that board members were able to attend in person. It was wonderful to see everyone again and reconnect. Back in 2018, Mitrata had laid out a five year plan, but like many things it was put on hold during the pandemic years. This year, our strategic planning session focused on making those plans a reality,” said Board President Jim Craig.
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!
Celebrating 20 Years of Mitrata
On Sunday, September 11, 2022 many of the friends of Mitrata gathered together to celebrate Mitrata’s 20th Anniversary. The celebration lasted from 1:00-5:00pm and was a wonderful open house that allowed Mitrata supporters to catch up with one another.
Mitrata’s Child Sponsors join Leena & Yogesh for “Sponsor Coffees”
While visiting St. Louis, Leena and Yogesh Satyal, the Executive Director and President of the Board of Directors of Bhuvaneshwori Satyal Foundation (BSF) were able to get together with our child sponsors for a cup of coffee while sharing updates on their sponsored children, their progress, and the programs in which they participate in Nepal. As Chair of the Sponsorship Committee, Danny Williger was able to attend most of these “Sponsor Coffees.” Here’s what he had to say about the experience…
The Early Children of Mitrata
Mitrata Nepal Foundation for Children was born from Dr. Christine Schutz’s heart for the children of Nepal. Now, as we look back on the past 20 years, we see many familiar faces of our first sponsored children, though they are now young adults. These early children have now completed the program, graduated, and are working in their chosen career fields. Keep reading to hear the stories of nine of Mitrata’s early children and where they are now.
Welcome Leena and Yogesh!
It has been four years since Bhuvaneshwori Satyal Foundation's (BSF) Executive Director Leena Satyal and Board President Yogesh Satyal have been able to visit us in the United States. Now, in just a few days, they will arrive in St. Louis! We are so excited to finally get together with them and hear first-hand updates on all the programs and children.
Mitrata’s Board Members take on Friend-Raising
On August 6th 2022, the wonderful Patti Harty volunteered her time to lead a fundraising training for Mitrata’s board members. The purpose of the training was to provide the board with “"ideas and training on how to engage people who have been involved with Mitrata in the past and new people, by calling or meeting with them and engaging them in a conversation and making an ask.”
The Founding Advisors of Mitrata
As we continue to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Mitrata, we are also celebrating the people who have helped it become what it is today. Today we are spotlighting four individuals who were vital to the success of Mitrata.
The Numerous Challenges Faced in Year One of Mitrata
There can be no success without a few hardships. Mitrata has has its fair share of both over the last 20 years. We have asked our Founder, and Executive Director, Dr, Christine Schutz to share some of the biggest challenges she faced during the first year of Mitrata. Here is what she said: