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How do you address the
educational needs of disadvantaged children?
Children in developing countries face a myriad of problems achieving the
dream of education. HOPE strives to bring those children caught in
cycles of poverty, hunger and disease into the classroom and keep them
there with the support structure needed to succeed. Our three pronged
approach includes:
• Establish Community Education Centers in rural villages
• Provide scholarships for under-privileged youth
• Implement support programs addressing the problems facing rural
youth including malnourishment, disease, parental illiteracy and child
labor.
This successful combination ensures that every child has access to both
innovative educational programs and a comprehensive support structure to
ensure their success.
How do you
implement your programs in Nepal?
Most charitable organizations working in developing countries partner with
local organizations to implement programs on the ground, which can limit
their effectiveness and flexibility by building in additional bureaucracy
and distance. HOPE Initiative is intimately involved with all
program development and implementation in Nepal to ensure the best
transfer of practices and knowledge, while being cognizant of the need for
local capacity building. Projects are always undertaken in collaboration
with target communities to address their unique needs and concerns.
Why did you start
HOPE Initiative in Nepal?
One of our founders Ann-Marie Conrado first visited Nepal in 1999 to trek
the famed Annapurna mountains and discovered a country whose beauty is
matched only by the warmth of her people, despite conditions of
overwhelming poverty which beckoned her to return again and again. Along
with our co-founder Norma-Jeanne Hennis who has supported very early
efforts to help impoverished students in Nepal, and a vital BOARD OF
DIRECTORS of which 70% have on the ground experience in Nepal, HOPE
Initiative has a close relationship with Nepal and a critical
awareness of her problems.
Why is it
necessary to supplement the educational system in Nepal?
We focus not only on getting children into school, but ensuring that they
receive a quality education that empowers them to create their own
opportunities and move into meaningful employment. Endemic to immature
educational systems, Nepali schools depend heavily on rote memorization to
the detriment of comprehension and critical thought resulting in
unemployable, disaffected youth and a culture of dependency. Education
must foster self reliance and self initiative in order to succeed.
How are you
different from many other organizations working in the field of education?
Organizations working in education generally focus on building educational
infrastructure and moving children into formal schooling, both very
laudable goals. However, this narrow focus ignores the quality of the
education they receive once there and their ability to translate it into
meaningful economic empowerment. HOPE Initiative seeks to tackle
the larger issues hindering genuine educational progress to address the
formidable obstacles faced even after seeing the inside of a classroom.
How do you ensure
that donations are spent efficiently and effectively?
With dedicated volunteers, we operate a virtual office with no overhead
and our operating costs underwritten by our founders, allowing 100% of
your donation to go directly to those in need. In Nepal, our work is
implemented and overseen by HOPE personnel. Lastly, we believe in
transparency and accountability, allowing online access to finance and
project reports.
What is the
current political situation in Nepal and does it affect your program work?
The political situation has been volatile for the last ten years with an
ongoing Maoist insurgency, political infighting and corruption
destabilizing many areas of the country. In 2003, the current King
dismissed the elected government and assumed direct rule declaring a
national state of emergency. While the situation remains fluid, our
project work continues largely unaffected mainly because the conflict is
centered in remote areas, remains an internal affair unconnected to global
terrorism and there have been no incidents of foreigners or tourists
targeted by conflicting factions.
In a country of
widespread poverty, how do you identify the disadvantaged?
In any country, there are relative scales of need. The disadvantaged, for
our purposes are identified as individuals and families who through
factors such as gender, caste, ethnicity, income and land ownership are
trapped in societal structures which hinder their ability for personal
advancement and poverty alleviation through discrimination, ignorance, few
means of livelihood and lack of access to basic human needs such as food,
shelter, education and health services.
What is the caste
system? Is is similar to the class system?
It is an extremely rigid system of social stratification in which
hierarchical social status, occupation and degree of purity/pollution is
determined by the family into which a person is born. There are five
subclasses: Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (Warriors/Rulers), Vaisyas
(Merchants/Artisans), Sudras (Laborers) and Untouchables (Polluted
laborers). It differs from a class system because of the limited
opportunity for social mobility due as social position derives from birth
rather then economic status. While we always attempt to respect local
cultural considerations, we at HOPE believe in the inherent dignity
and honor of every individual, and as such, we advocate for a
discrimination free environment and only take into account caste in order
to provide affirmative action to uplift the lowest castes in Nepalese
society.
Do you have plans
to expand your work to other countries?
We have high hopes of doing so with your help and support. We believe our
methodology which is grounded in grass-roots community involvement can
work in other developing countries. Because we are dedicated to continuing
programs already initiated, our expansion must and will be carefully and
gradually implemented over time as we raise needed funds and recruit
necessary expertise.
Can I volunteer
with your organization? In Nepal?
As an all-volunteer organization, we are always in need and welcome any
amount of time you can commit. Our most pressing needs are fundraising,
network/web development, educational development and marketing, but there
are many other opportunities. We also encourage you to get more involved
and consider volunteering in Nepal. Immersing yourself in a new culture is
a wonderfully life-affirming experience. We help coordinate logistics and
volunteer placements. Please email for more information and include
details of your background and how you would like to help.
Donations
Is my donation tax deductible?
Although our application for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status is currently
pending, under IRS Code Section 170, your cash, check or credit card
donation is tax deductible. Please be aware that only taxpayers who
itemize deductions on their tax returns can make tax deductible
contributions if they constitute less than 50% of their adjusted gross
income (AGI).
Will I receive a
receipt for my donation?
Anyone who makes a donation will receive a receipt upon contribution and a
follow-up letter of acknowledgement verifying their total annual donation,
suitable for tax and bookkeeping purposes, no later than January 31st of
the following year.
When I buy HOPE
handicrafts, is my purchase tax deductible?
We price our handicrafts very reasonably to benefit our fair trade
artisans through higher sales traffic. Because the price represents fair
market value, your purchase is not considered tax deductible because you
have received an equivalent value in goods.
Can I donate my
old computer, clothes, books, etc.?
While we appreciate your generosity, shipping and importation costs are
prohibit us from efficiently utilizing your donation. Our resources are
better spent purchasing goods in Nepal, which contributes to the local
economy and provides our students with the latest technology and current
materials.
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