"Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything." -- Napoleon Hill
FON-NJ: A New Beginning
Dr. Tulsi Maharjan
At long last, we are about to start our new beginning with Friends of Nepal-NJ.
Friends of Nepal-NJ (FON-NJ) is a non-profit organization, created to promote and preserve the social and cultural heritage of Nepal and develop networking opportunities for people living in the tri-state area. Through networking and membership dues, this organization hopes to provide educational opportunities for the children of Nepal. FON-NJ's activities will be dedicated to opening avenues of communication between people who are concerned about Nepal, her future and her past.
Concerned people have been talking about what can be done here in the United States to help each other as well as what can be done to help the children of Nepal who might not have the opportunities or resources we take it granted. FON-NJ would like to help communicate what resources are available within our community to help each other and how those resources can be shared to help back in Nepal.
Unsettling images of our homeland can be seen on the Internet and the evening news. These images disturb and sadden us. We feel helpless to do anything to change the situation. What should be our response to such conditions? What can be done to ensure a brighter future for the children of Nepal? What can we do?
I am always inspired to help after I visit Nepal. In the midst of the poverty and disparity, I see committed people making a difference. If we all work together, we can make a difference by fostering hope and opportunity for new life. Since my last visit to Nepal, I have started a project called "Digital Divide" in cooperation with local Rotary Clubs to help purchase 40 to 50 computers for schools in Patan. It is possible for one person, or a group of people, here to have an impact in Nepal. We do not have to make a big change at once; we can make a lot of little changes over a longer period of time. Every little change will cause another change.
I personally feel that by helping a young person fulfill his or her dream of obtaining education or skills, we will be like showing the seeds of kindness and hope for another generation. Without education, I would not have been in this country. We are fortunate to be in this country and be able to achieve our dreams. Now, we can make those young people’s dreams come true through our help.
The formation of FON-NJ has provided a new beginning for Nepalese people in New Jersey and the surrounding area to do something positive for Nepal. FON-NJ is dedicated to:
collaborating with other Nepalese organizations who share our mission of improving educational opportunities for Nepalese children.
teaching our children here the unique culture of Nepal so that this culture can live on into the twenty-first century.
to develop leadership opportunities for our children here and in Nepal through teaching of leadership skills and providing opportunities for them to use these skills.
By helping people in Nepal we will also giving our children here the gift of social awareness that is necessary to live a full and meaningful life. Our children must understand that they are important to us and to the future of the world. Only by reaching out to others will they fulfill their lives.
We all know that a lasting victory over poverty will not come easily and may not be within our sole control. It will take hard work, dedication and planning by everyone, here and around the world, who cares about Nepal. That’s why FON-NJ is taking a big step to start programs and activities aimed directly to help the children of Nepal and US at the same time. We can help each other by increasing our knowledge of those here who want to help.
I hope that our projects will have a great effect on the lives of the children of Nepal and give them education and hope. FON-NJ is dedicating seventy-five percent of its membership dues to scholarships in Nepal. Someday, hopefully, we get to read how our projects made a difference in the lives of children, families and communities.
I want to thank all those individuals who have already joined FON-NJ for being valuable partners in this crusade. Together, we will be able to make a lasting difference in the lives of children in Nepal and at the same time gain a piece of mind knowing that we are helping to make a difference in somebody’s life.
It is a new beginning and it is definitely a good beginning.
Jaya Nepal.
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." -- Helen Keller
