Ama Foundation

A Visit from Dr. Fuller

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:44:11 +0000

We are lucky to receive visitors from all over the world at Ama Ghar. One of our favorites is Dr. Andrew Fuller, a pediatrician who joins us every year from the UK. He comes to work with our Ama Ghar Board Member and fellow pediatrician, Dr. Neelam Adhikhari.

Here are some photos of an outing with his son and daughter to our new Ama Ghar home.

Santosh and Popo are engrossed in learning something new from Dr. Fuller’s son.

Prakash enjoys the view at his future home.

One of our new Ama Ghar neighbors grazing his cow.

The new Ama Ghar – we’re almost there!

Dr. Fuller and his daughter lead the way through the fields to our new home.

Bhesh shows Dr. Fuller around the property.

A Happy International Birthday

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:24:02 +0000

A young Nepali boy named Aswin was visiting Kathmandu with his family. He was sad because he wanted to celebrate his 7^th birthday, which occurred during his visit, with other children. So we invited him to Ama Ghar, where he had a fine birthday party with cupcakes and juice. He was thrilled to have so many friends at his birthday party, and he says he will be back to celebrate again next year. Happy Birthday, Aswin.

Aswin shows off the birthday card made for him by Ama Ghar kids.

It’s fun to have so many children at Aswin’s birthday party!

A Goodbye Gift from Coley

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 05:10:21 +0000

Our wonderful Ama Ghar friend and volunteer, Jacole (the kids call her Coley), a Montana girl who has been living in Nepal for two years , was leaving Nepal for a graduate program in Boston. As a going-away present to the Ama Ghar children, she put together a climbing party, where the children learned to rappel off a six story building, led by trained Himalayan climbers, of course.

The children learned hand holds, balance and hanging upside down… they loved it, they’re really good at it, and it helped them to learn the value of courage and persistence… thanks, Jacole – not only for the party, but for all you’ve done for us.

Ambe, Sangita and Ashok learn to walk up walls.

Don’t look down, Assim…

Kalpana hangs on – gotta trust those ropes!

World Cup Madness!

admin — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 23:11:53 +0000

The children of Ama Ghar are not allowed to watch much TV – there’s only one small TV in the house, and it’s saved for weekend movie viewing and special occasions. But the World Cup Finals were deemed a Special Occasion, and the children really rose to the challenge! Half the house was cheering the Netherlands, half the house was cheering Spain… the children have met volunteers from the Netherlands, and one of the girls has a sister who lives in Spain.

As you can see by the photos, there were no losers in this final!

Spain Cheering Section

Netherlands Cheering Section

Jinx and Her Magic Pen

admin — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 23:00:43 +0000

Ama Ghar kids love to put on plays! Check out these photos of their latest creation, a play called “Jinx and Her Magic Pen”, which was written (in English), directed, and starred in by a group of Ama Ghar kids, with the help of Lilly Ellison, a wonderful volunteer from the U.S. They even had a prop crew!

If you’re looking for something to donate, old Halloween costumes, wigs and face paint are always welcome… and there’s a good chance to you’ll see your donations at work in an upcoming production.

Santosh, Manju and Samjana prepare for their roles.

The clowns await their entrance cue.

Everyone has a part in the play!

Popo is waiting for the magic pen to work…

…but something went wrong – the Princess got a Darth Vader head!

Construction Progress

admin — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:52:23 +0000

Many things being done at once. Plumber has the children’s untis done. (see Pic) His big job is now the outside pipes and manholes.

Electrician will begin next week. The waste management group is on schedule. Major roof complete, only two front sections left.

Started placing drain gutters yesterday. (see Pic). They blend nicely.

Finishing for windows, floors going on daily.

We will proceed with Solar Hot Water. The Solar Power is planned but will not install unless and until we have the money to do. We need $22,000 for solar power. I have re-viewed and re-worked all the specs with Ghan Power. Niley do we have any solar groups that could contribute money?

Many things being done at once. Plumber has the children’s untis done. (see Pic) His big job is now the outside pipes and manholes.
Electrician will begin next week. The waste management group is on schedule. Major roof complete, only two front sections left.
Started placing drain gutters yesterday. (see Pic). They blend nicely.
Finishing for windows, floors going on daily.
We will proceed with Solar Hot Water. The Solar Power is planned but will not install unless and until we have the money to do.

Hamro Nepal, by the boys of Ama Ghar

admin — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:21:39 +0000

Check out this video of a few of the Ama Ghar boys singing. One of our Board Members, Shrawan, makes a cameo appearance in it too.

I uploaded the video of the boys singing onto YouTube. I think Shrawan makes a cameo appearance in it too. I love this song & especially the boys singing it. Feel free to post it on the Ama Foundation blog!

They should really start a band. Look at their energy! So awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-JKFNeI1Z4

Construction Update

admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:21:28 +0000

Final Brick work and roof making fast progress.

Will be complete in 2 weeks and we can then start with plumbing and windows….starting to work on outside elements….slowly but surely.

Bonnie Ellison, the Country Director for the Ama Foundation has provided the following update on the progress of the school’s construction.

“Final Brick work and roof making fast progress. Will be complete in 2 weeks and we can then start with plumbing and windows….starting to work on outside elements….slowly but surely.”

Photos from 7th Annual Child to Child fundraiser

admin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:50:10 +0000

Check out the photos from our latest fundraiser at the Davie Tennis Stadium in Oakland:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=175124&id=580119332&l=f1ccd22207

Results from the 7th Annual Child to Child fundraiser

admin — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:07:41 +0000

Dear Friends,

What a night we all had! Thank you all so much for coming to our annual fundraiser. The weather was beautiful, the kids all kept each other happy and entertained, and we thoroughly enjoyed all of your company. We are thrilled to report that this was indeed the best year yet. More of you came, more of you gave, and you were more generous than ever. With the last few donations still trickling in, we are up to well over $12,500 from the event. That is 60 times the average per capita yearly income in Nepal. Yes, sixty times. Way to go, everyone – your generosity and that of your children will make a huge, huge difference!

A special note of thanks to:

4th grader Audrey Jones who brought beautiful artwork by her Ama Ghar pen pal to share. Audrey encourages other kids to become pen pals, too, and we can help arrange it if you are interested.

3rd grader Jacob and 1st grader Erin Epstein who held a lemonade stand and gave all their proceeds to Ama Ghar.

Karuna Hopper Sakya and her friend who cleaned a house – “even bathrooms!” – to earn money to donate.

3rd grader Paul and 1st grader Andrew Herman who held a yard sale and sold their toys to raise money for Ama Ghar.

And all of the kids who saved up, dug deep and gave from their allowances, birthday money, earnings and savings to help out their peers on the other side of the world.

You kids are what it’s all about. Nothing we adults do could match the kindness of children’s hearts. With love to all, The Shrestha Family

Board Member Niley Shrestha and his family held their 7th Annual Child to Child fundraiser on June 6. Below is feedback from the event.

We are thrilled to report that this was indeed the best year yet. More of you came, more of you gave, and you were more generous than ever. With the last few donations still trickling in, we are up to well over $12,500 from the event. That is 60 times the average per capita yearly income in Nepal. Yes, sixty times. Way to go, everyone – your generosity and that of your children will make a huge, huge difference!

A special note of thanks to:

4th grader Audrey Jones who brought beautiful artwork by her Ama Ghar pen pal to share. Audrey encourages other kids to become pen pals, too, and we can help arrange it if you are interested.

3rd grader Jacob and 1st grader Erin Epstein who held a lemonade stand and gave all their proceeds to Ama Ghar.

Karuna Hopper Sakya and her friend who cleaned a house – “even bathrooms!” – to earn money to donate.

3rd grader Paul and 1st grader Andrew Herman who held a yard sale and sold their toys to raise money for Ama Ghar.

And all of the kids who saved up, dug deep and gave from their allowances, birthday money, earnings and savings to help out their peers on the other side of the world.

You kids are what it’s all about. Nothing we adults do could match the kindness of children’s hearts. With love to all, The Shrestha Family