The Asha Project

By: Emily Fabiano, GAP – Nepal Humanitarian Mission and Cultural Exchange Volunteer

8,000 miles from home, living in one of the poorest countries in the world, missing my family and friends. I remember my first night in Nepal, I was staying in run-down, poorly insulated buildings, sleeping in several layers of clothes to stay warm. I was in a place where my surroundings could not have been more different than my life in the U.S. I was witnessing ways of living that I did not think existed in the modern world. My first impression of the country and upon getting food poisoning had me wondering “Why did I decide to travel to Nepal?!”

The beautiful country of Nepal and the generous people I have met among my many trips have become a significant part of my life. Despite the poor living conditions, I constantly felt a need and a desire to return to this country each year, as the impact I felt from volunteering here was augmented upon each successive trip. I am grateful for having the opportunity to travel to Nepal, as each return trip continues to shape my character immensely and change my outlook on life.

Adjusting to the Nepali lifestyle was not easy. Sleeping without heat, taking cold showers, hiking to the top of a “mountain” to where I will sleep for the night are not things I am used to. I saw children hike the mountains with no shoes just to get to school, while schools were often not much more than concrete walls and a tin roof. Facilities lack cleanliness and supplies to facilitate effective learning. These experiences and the exposure to what it is like to get an education in Nepal have taught me to appreciate the opportunities that I have.

At every orphanage and school, I went to, the kids melted my heart. I felt like I wanted to take them all home with me. They were ecstatic just to see outside visitors, and they would touch my hair because they have never seen someone with blonde hair before. There have been numerous moments that remind me that my time spent in Nepal is worth it. For instance, when we were distributing jackets and stationary supplies at an orphanage, a young girl asked me to promise her that I would come back. Another girl at a remote school in Pokhara had no socks or shoes, and the way she responded to simply getting a pencil from me was touching. Seeing the circumstances of where kids go to school is not always easy, but we help in any way we can by providing pencils, notebooks, rulers, and sometimes socks and gloves to students in remote areas. Another orphanage we went to, we distributed some blankets that were donated to us. The owner of the orphanage mentioned that they did not have enough blankets for all the children until we came. I remember thinking there was no way I could fit the blankets into my suitcase but hearing that made me glad I decided to make space for them. Aside from distributing donations at schools and orphanages we have also had the opportunity to assist with health and hygiene camps and paint the walls of schools and orphanages.

It is never easy to say goodbye to the kids when we finish a program and need to leave, as they usually stand in a group and all wave goodbye. While I am happy to have made a positive impact in their lives, it is sad to leave because I never know when and if I will return to that school or orphanage. Even when we interacted with students at a deaf and mute school, I still felt an unspoken connection to the kids.

It is often said in Nepal that “Guests are like God,” and this was evident in the way the Nepali hosted us. Despite being one of the poorest countries in the world, Nepal undoubtedly has the most generous people in the world. Our friends in Nepal are always willing to do anything to make us feel more comfortable in their country. Each time we went to visit a school or orphanage and were hosted by new Rotaract clubs, we were welcomed with scarves, hot tea and biscuits. This truly made me feel very welcome wherever I went. My friend Jyoti and her family have hosted us in their home a few times, giving up their beds to us and cooking us meals to make us feel at home.

While we did numerous projects at schools and orphanages, we also had a cultural exchange and had the opportunity to attend Rotaract Meetings with the clubs in Nepal. For instance, myself and the club members from the US had a recipe exchange with the Lalitpur Club. We learned how to make MoMo, an iconic food of Nepal, while we introduced the Nepali club to Nachos. Although nachos are not a true American food, the Lalitpur club was intrigued by the combination of food and found it to be quite tasty. The various clubs that hosted us took us hiking and sightseeing to landmarks including the World Peace Pagoda, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, on cable cars where we got a glimpse of Mt. Everest, Chitwan National Park where we had an elephant safari, and so much more! For me, simply walking on the streets of Nepal is sightseeing because the country is so different from the US, and I love learning about the different culture and lifestyle. We have also taken part in several picnics where we learned new games, made new friends, and tried new foods.

Not only do I love the people and culture in Nepal, but the scenery is incredibly breathtaking. Many of us have seen pictures of the Himalayan Mountain range and of Mt. Everest, but to see them in life is surreal. Living in the US, waking up in the morning and going out on the rooftop to sip tea with a view of the Himalayan Mountain range is not something I can do every day.

Ultimately, it was worth it. Worth travelling 40 hours and worth transporting tons of donations across the world. Although I have summarized my experiences here, words cannot do justice. The only way to know how amazing it is to be a part of this mission is to travel to Nepal and experience it for yourself. I have now been to Nepal four times and cannot wait to be a part of future projects with clubs in Nepal. Thank you to all my friends in Nepal that have hosted me and continued to be a part of my life!

For more information about the Asha Project and the GAP program, please visit http://www.theashaproject.org

Father Ed Murphy to be honored by the President of the United States of America as a recipient of the “President’s Lifetime Achievement Award” for his 30 years of dedicated community service. This award is the highest award in the land for volunteer services given by the President and government of the United States of America.

The purpose of this award is to honor those who have continually poured out thousands of hours of volunteer service in this country. Lifetime Achievement Award will be bestowed upon Father ED Murphy for his thirty years of volunteer services. He has continually fed the poor, provided clothing and necessities to struggling families, offered free counseling to the community people, as a member of the Diversity Coalition, (https://www.sccdiversity.com) and he has been running free counseling programs to provide prayer and guidance and so much more.

According to Dr. Tulsi R. Maharjan, Chair of the Somerset County Diversity Coalition and the Past Rotary District Governor, “He has been an inspiration to many, and we would like to celebrate the positive impact he has made in bettering our communities and the world together.”

Dr. Tulsi R. Maharjan

He will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement award at the 12th Annual International Peace and Interfaith Prayers ceremony on Saturday, May 7th at the NJ Buddhist Vihara in Princeton.

His outreach includes serving on 9/11 chaplain service, organizing Interfaith Prayers and Interfaith Thanksgiving programs at various houses of worship in Somerset County.

According to Dr. Gurprakas Sigh of the GurDwara temple in Bridgewater, “Father Murphy has been working tirelessly to support and promote interfaith dialogues in the community. He had participated and organied many events in our temple.”

According to Dr. Maharjan “He also helped to organize several Bound Brook Community Celebration day programs in early 2000 after the big flood in Bound Brook. He has made his commitment to promote and bring peace and prosperity in our central New Jersey communities. Thank you Father Murphy.”

If you like to place a congratulatory ad in the Ad journal, please contact us at trm7510@gmail.com or calling 908-369-4318. Please visit our website https://www.sccdiversity.com for more information about the ads and peace program on May 7, 2022.

By Eezya Dangol

Today on 11 February 2022, the Asha project- Nepal organized a lunch program at St Xavier’s Social Service Centre in the memory of our grandmother Usha Maharjan who loved helping the needy at all times.

The Social Service Centre is a home to poor and handicapped children from various districts of Nepal. Most of these students do not have parents or parents are financially deprived. These marginalized community students were brought to give them education and service training so that they can fend themselves and support their families in the future.

At this event we donated school supplies and provide special luncheon for them.

All Children enjoyed the food and thanked us in joy. A small help to them brought great happiness in their faces which is immeasurable. The Asha Project has adopted this school as one of the social service center, where the Asha Project provides scholarships, art contest and writing contest every year and visit during the Asha Project’s annual humanitarian mission to Nepal.

I would like to thank Dr. Tulsi Maharjan for sponsoring this program through the Asha project in Nepal and bringing smiles on the face of those children.

Also thanks Father Thomas, Mr. Salik Maharjan, Mr. Giri Dhar Dangol, Mrs. Mangal Kumari Maharjan, Mrs. Unes Maharjan for making this program a success.

Eezya Dangol

As someone who went to Nepal twice, once in 2017 and again in 2019, I am struggling to write down my experience. I think the fact that this is going to be shared with others also makes it harder for me to share my perspective. It’s not because I had a bad experience or because I didn’t enjoy it. On the contrary, it is because I did enjoy it and had an amazing experience, on both occasions, that I am struggling to express my thoughts, feelings, and words. However, I do think that it is only fair that I share my experience from 2017. Simply because that is what led me to go back in 2019.

            “Service Above Self”, those words sure do sound familiar to me. It is because of the Rotaract motto that I was able to persuade myself to go on a journey to the other side of the world. That, and having a strong sense of adventure and curiosity for an unknown part of the globe really drove me (haha). Well, what should I say… my trip to Nepal was absolutely beautiful? I was in safe hands among other Rotaractors? The journey to deliver school supplies across the globe went smoothly? All these different questions have the same answer; and yet, have an extraordinary story behind them. As I remember PDG Tulsi Maharjan used to share his story about how 50 years ago he used to wait every Nepalese New Year to receive a small box of gift from US, that used to be precious moment for him.

In Nepal, I met so many people, made lifelong friends, distributed school supplies to various different school, and created memories that will last a lifetime. However, this trip wasn’t just me alone. I was with friends from home, Amanda, Dan, Jenna, Marcel, Ryan, and Sebastian. It was our passion, our commitment, and our dedication to Rotaract that really made this journey even more than what I had originally thought it would have been. It is because we were able to uphold the motto, “Services Above Self”, that we had such a wonderful and exhilarating experience aboard! It is because of our many sister clubs in Nepal that we were able to enjoy the breath-taking beauty that Nepal is. It is because of our friends that we met, Sujan, Jeevan, Pratima, Roneeya, Ganesh, Pratistha, Sunil, Sanjay, Gautam, Neetika, Sabina, Jyoti, Biyan, Kishor, Antim, Niranjan, Kapil, Ujwal and so many more people, that this adventure to Nepal was well worth more than any other life experience.

 I remember waking up one morning and being told that we’d be going to a school to distribute school supplies. I remember walking downstairs with everyone, counting the 250 pounds of school supplies that we had brought over, dividing them up, putting them in a bag for every child to receive various different supplies, then being transported to the school to introduce ourselves and distribute these supplies.

I remember the looks of joy, the smiles, the connection, and the overwhelming sense of bliss that came from room as we personally handed these supplies among the children. That is when I truly discovered what it is to be a member of Rotaract. What it is to be a part of something more than yourself. What it feels to be the embodiment of “Service Above Self”.

Manny Ramirez, President of the RAAofNJ

It’s not about skin colors, political orientation, ethnic background, religious belief, or social standing. It is about being able to do something for your fellow human, it is about giving hope in times of desperation, it is about making a difference in someone’s life who may need it, it is about being the good in the world. I would like to thank Rotary District 7510, the Rotary club of Branchburg, the Asha Project and Friends of Nepal-NJ for making this trip possible.

It was my pleasure to make new friends, share a new experience, and enjoy the beauty of life among many individuals. It was my pleasure to travel to a new country and step outside of my comfort zone. It was my pleasure to do something so impactful that I am currently reflecting on it right now and smiling while I type this. It was my pleasure to go to Nepal.

“It was my pleasure to make new friends, share a new experience, and enjoy the beauty of life among many individuals. It was my pleasure to travel to a new country and step outside of my comfort zone. It was my pleasure to do something so impactful that I am currently reflecting on it right now and smiling while I type this. It was my pleasure to go to Nepal and serve the humanity. For me Service Above Self means being able to help those who are less fortunate than us”.

Manny Ramirez, President of the RAAofNJ.

The world today is divided between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ not only by wealth but by a growing number of separations, including the access to knowledge and information which is provided through information technology –known as the digital divide. (While basics such as knowledge of the English language and the technical know-how of using computers are partly the cause of this separation, the heart of the “divide” lies in the financial expense of obtaining computers.

Despite the world today becoming a global village, people in Nepal are deprived of the benefits in the development of information technology. For most in developing countries, a computer is still a luxury. For children in public schools, the computer is in many cases just a word, which exists in books or in pictures. This project is to help and challenge the Nepalese community in New Jersey to reduce the “Digital Divide”.

The First Digital Divide Grant was approved for $16,200 to provide 40 computers to public schools in Patan in 2002-2003 by the Rotary Club of Branchburg and the Rotary Club of Patan in collaboration with Friends of Nepal, New Jersey.

According to project organizer and Chair of the International District 7475 International Service Director, PDG Tulsi R. Maharjan, “It is intended that these computers will provide the missing opportunity for students and teachers to broaden their horizons in many areas. The added facility of the Internet and email should expand the cultural exchange between students in Nepal and New Jersey”. This project has already connected students from Nepal and New Jersey to exchange ideas.

PDG Tulsi R. Maharjan

This year’s intended $50,000 grant project will help to establish 2 schools with complete computer labs with online instruction of Math, science and English where the Rotary Club of Rudramati and New Jersey District clubs will collaborate in this districtwide project. This will be a collaborative project of between Rotary Club in Nepal district, RI District 3292, Nepal and Rotary Clubs in the Rotary District 7475 and the Asha Project- New Jersey.

Intended beneficiaries are approximately 2000 students, 20 teachers of 2 schools and around 10,000 village populations. The final selection of the schools will be based upon the schools’ demonstrated commitment to provide adequate space, furniture, qualified teacher and maintain the labs.

If you like to learn more about this project, please contact Dr. Tulsi R. Maharjan, trm7510@gmail.com

By Mathews Lopes.

Hi, my name is Mathews Lopes, and I come to you today to share with you some of my amazing experiences. But first let me tell you some things about myself. I am a 16-year-old young man out of Old Bridge that participates in varsity athletics like Football and Track. I also like to give back to people whenever I can. I have been involved in many different community service activities to give back to my community.

Community service does not only have a profound impact on our community, but the impact it has on the individual people is even greater. The concept of community service has always been something that I grew up with, and with me being older now I understand the importance of it for society. Community service is not just words, but an opportunity in life to contribute one’s time to helping others and making a difference in society; and thus, a better place to live for all. I remember firsthand watching my parents struggle to provide a good life for me, and it took a lot for them to just put food on the table for my sister and I. Through hard work my parents are now providing a very nice and comfortable life for me.

Rotary has been serving the humanity for the last 117 years. The Rotary club of Branchburg established in 1988 has been one of the leading Rotary club serving its community and communities around the world for the last 33 years.

Last week, the Rotary of Branchburg gave me a chance to volunteer to distribute fresh food and other items to needy community in Bound Brook. I had never heard of Rotary and through my parents contact, I was be able to do a community service. It was amazing to connect with so many people that had the same goal as me, which was simply to give back to the people that are less fortunate. I had opportunity to experience real “Altruism in Action.”

“I was moved to see how parents and children able to grab essential products for their families, seeing their faces light up lets me know that I want to do this for a very long time.”

Mathews Lopes, Old Bridge High School student.

It was also awesome to shadow people like Mr. Joe Horner, Bill Stabile and Dr. Tulsi R. Maharjan and see what it’s like to lead a group of special individuals and have them perform to their best capabilities in giving back to the people. I suddenly came to realize truly the Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self.” and Rotary’s various themes “

I look forward to continuing my work with the Rotary and Rotarians from Rotary district 7475, and I look forward to seeing what’s in store for the future!. Thank you for the opportunity to experience personally Rotary’s “Humanity in Motion.”

By: Ritee Karmacharya

Our 15th Annual International Day of Peace Celebration will take place on September 24, 2022. Please join us. This is a collaborative project of the Somerset County Cultural Diversity Coalition and many community organizations. If you like to be a sponsor of this event, please let us know. http://www.sccdiversity.com

This is a prayer we each chanted into a microphone while waving all the flags of the world in the air at an annual International Peace Day event organized by the FONNJ (Friends of Nepal New Jersey), Rotary District 7475, Somerset County Cultural Diversity Coalition and the New Jersey Buddhist Vihara.

People said the prayer in any language they preferred. Whether someone said it in English, in Spanish, in French, in Chinese, in Hindi, in Nepali, or any other language, it ultimately means the same thing. “May peace prevail”. These three simple words that convey a powerful message for everyone who participated in this event. This prayer is a vision and a powerful tool for healing our people, our states, our countries, our planet, our universe, and most importantly, our minds.

“The main reason a “World Peace Day” celebration is to bring people of all races together as one and share the unique attributes of each country. There were a variety of performances presented during the event; the singing of national anthems, reciting prayers of different religions, singing songs in different languages, and many other distinctive portrayals”.

Dr. Tulsi R. Maharjan

Participants also had an opportunity to taste food from around the world. A mixture of different foods, ranging from Italian dishes to Indian sweets. Everyone had a chance to light a candle to pray for the world. A peace walk was also arranged in the event. Dr. Maharjan struck a Tibetan Singing Bowl while everyone took a silent walk in the woods. The walk was a way to release all the tensions that you were holding, to let it all go and be in a peace of mind.

The Mayor of the Franklin Township, New Jersey also attended the event and presented proclamation to create the Franklin township “Peace Zone”. He declared the day to be World Peace Day annually in the city.

After the walk, each person attending the event was given a flag of a country and everyone walked three circles around the large statue of Lord Buddha. There was a flag for every country in the world. As everyone walked around, each person spoke a prayer for peace into a microphone. They were free to speak in any language of their preference. This celebration helped people relax and try to come at peace in their minds and with each other. This gave people time to think about their well-being and others around them.

I really enjoyed this event because it was free of stress or worry. It was a lot of fun seeing all the different performances by different cultures and trying diverse foods. I also had a chance to plant a tree in the Buddhist Vihara. With the help of my grandfather, we planted a tree in the beautiful garden. It was a very enjoyable experience for me, and I really loved this event. I would definitely recommend going to this event next year.

There should be more events like this more often around the world to spread peace and harmony to all.

YOUTH COUNCIL’S LATEST PROJECT IS OUR ‘PEACE GARDEN PROJECT – PICTURES FROM 2022 VOLUNTEER DAY

-Ritee Karmacharya is a youth editor of the Friends of Nepal-NJ. http://www.fonnj.com

No matter how modern we become, the natural bleeding process (menstruation) in women is still considered taboo in Nepal; many students miss their school during this time. This taboo has resulted in, as well as women dying from exposure because they are forced to remain outdoors.

The Asha Project, in collaboration with the Rotaract Club of Damak, Sukhedhara and Rudramati-Babar Mahal, conducted training classes on menstruation hygiene and distributing reusable sanitary pads free of charge to the community people. Women groups were trained on how to make environmentally friendly sanitary pads. This project will allow the Nepali women to make their own pads. Many local students are not able to purchase sanitary pads and miss school during their period.

The major goal of these projects were to break the myth that women are untouchable during their period and provide knowledge about menstruation and make them mentally, physically and economically strong.

We have projects running in Illam, Jhapa, Nuwakot, Sindhupalchok.
We need your support to continue and expand these projects all over Nepal.

Thank you Sapana Kandangwa (Limboo), President of the Damak Rotaract Club, Rotary District 3292 -Nepal), Chandra Bhakta Adhikari, Sukhdhara Rotaract club, Kishore Tripathi, Rudramati Rotary club for coordinating these projects in various parts of rural Nepal.

Also, thanks to Rotaract club members for their dedication and service to the needy people of Nepal.

If you like to support these projects, you can send a donation payable to FONN and mail it to:

Friends of Nepal-NJ
P.O. Box 5015
Somerville, NJ 08876

The Friends of Nepal-NJ and the Asha Project has been working in Nepal with Rotaract students since 2010. We have supported many Rotaract leadership programs in Nepal.

We are encouraged to see that many Rotaract students have become the next generation of do-gooders and have continued to make a difference in their communities. Our investment is paying off. Now, we have many volunteers in Nepal who are willing to help with our projects.

I would like to introduce our newest Goodwill Ambassador, Mr. Chandra Bhakta Adhikari, who was born and raised in a small village in Nangin, a remote place in Pachanthar, eastern district in Nepal. He excelled in his studies at his local school, however he had to walk to school for an hour from his home every day.

He was determined to obtain his high school degree. With the assistance and encouragement of his village and family, he went to Shree Adarsh High School in Ilam to study for his higher education. While living in Ilam for 3 years, he learned about Rotary and Rotaract clubs’ humanitarian service projects and got interested in joining such a club.

Chandra came to Kathmandu to complete his higher education and make new friends. While attending college in Kathmandu he met with Resh Raj Pokhrel, who was preparing to start the Rotaract Club of Sukedhara and Chandra decided to join the club. That was the beginning of his journey towards Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self”. As Rotary President in 1992 – 1993, Clifford L. Dochterman reminded us, “Real Happiness Is Helping Others,”

While he was working as a member of the Sukedhara Rotact club, I had the opportunity to work with Chandra on several projects and even visited his hometown and schools. While driving from Biratnagar airport to Pachanthar, we stopped in many places and get to meet with his friends and Rotaract colleagues.

He is very conscientious and always friendly. I have found him to be a person of impeccable integrity, who is always looking for ways in which to help others. He is very personable and dedicated to his work.

Last year he completed more than 5 community projects and collaborated with many Rotaract clubs to make them successful. Volunteering his free time in various projects conducted by the Asha Project has given Chandra many opportunities to grow as an individual at the same time helping the community at large.

I am confident that he will flourish in all his endeavors. I am very happy to appoint Chandra as a Goodwill Ambassador of the Asha Project for the years 2022-24. All the best wishes Chandra.

GIFT OF HOPE FOR NEPAL -Health Camps, School supplies, Sports items distribution and Micro credit Projects in celebration of the 30th Anniversary.

Sidhupalchok School by Rotaract club of Rudramati

Rotaract club of Damak – Health Camp

Riksha for unemployed day worker to support his family

Rotaract club of Sukhedhara – Dhading school Project

Shailesh Kumar Dahal Memorial Scholarship

Micro Credit Project and community assessment with Daria community.

Sports Equipment and School supplies distribution at the Bal Bikas school in Kani Bahal, Patan in partnership with the ALL4BALL -Sports for the youth

Bal Kumari School sports and Scholarship distribution.

Gorkha School

Support our projects visiting

https://www.fonnj.com/how-you-can-help/join-our-legacy-circle/

Thank you.

Altruism is the bedrock of a healthy society. The Asha Project in collaboration with Rotary, Rotaract and Friends of Nepal- NJ and One Step for Change has completed 33 of humanitarian service projects in Nepal, putting the Altruism in Action.

We believe, all of us must embrace the innate source of compassion within us to make a difference in our community and in our homeland. The Asha Project’s mission is to “help the underprivileged people of Nepal to rebuild their lives and renew their hope.”

To actualize compassion, we need to transform our pessimism into optimism; connect to the deeper purpose of our passion; expand our communities to create more belonging; and be intentionally present with ourselves and others.  With your small contribution, we have been able to do a lot with the help of many organizations, Rotary and Rotaract support.

Our Rotaract members who are all “ordinary people” doing an “extraordinary work” in Nepal—brave young people doing heroic acts of kindness and compassion, every day in the simplest of ways. We would like to thank them for their time, talent and dedication in helping with our projects in Nepal.

The Asha project calls for action to bring more compassion to the forefront of our life and provide hope and opportunities for poor people in Nepal. Thanks to our LEGACY CIRCLE members for putting Altruism in Action by helping poor people in Nepal.

One of our outreaches focuses on the empowerment of girls and women because they are often the most vulnerable in our country to becoming victims of discrimination and exploitation. To combat this, the Asha Project has several programs to empower girls and women through a combination of education, training, and care.

Our mission is to transform lives by promoting Health, Education and Women empowerment. Primary objective is to help people reach the highest potential.

So, what does Altruism mean to you? Do you create more joy for others? In what ways are you a compassionate person?

With greater support from our New Jersey Nepali community, our projects we have been able to conduct more than 1 million dollars worth of projects in Nepal. Thanks to all our supporters.

Let’s put Altruism in Action and make a difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate than us and provide hope and opportunities for many years to come.

FONNJ- The Asha Project:

Over its 33-year history, The Friends of Nepal- NJ and the Asha project in collaboration with many other organizations has built a legacy of addressing important humanitarian issues and galvanizing Nepalese communities here and in Nepal through thoughtful initiatives and activities. Whether encouraging youth to be agents of change through volunteering; motivating students through our story book “I CAN DO IT” (Ma Garna Sakchu) to highlight the importance of education; showcasing tangible steps youth can take to help the environment through our Peace Garden project; celebrating youth who are going above and beyond to help others through Volunteer Service Awards; and preparing school children in Nepal through sponsored scholarships and school supplies. Our projects have inspired thousands of youths to take action to improve their lives, communities, and their world.