Health
As is expected, Nepal’s degree of poverty has contributed to poor health. And, as Jeffrey Sachs explains concerning malaria in Africa, there is a causal relationship that goes both ways, meaning poor health and disease also perpetuate poverty (Sachs 197). Indeed there is a high pervasiveness of disease in Nepal, when compared to other countries in South Asia. These include diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, goiter, intestinal parasites, leprosy and tuberculosis. 72 percent of children are malnourished. The mortality rate for children under 4 is 91.2 deaths/100 live births. An estimated 60,000 people (or 0.5 percent) between the ages of 15 and 49 have HIV. For most Nepalese people sufficient health care, hygiene, nutrition and sanitation are beyond access. Further hindrances include low government spending, rugged terrain that reduces transportation, and a lack of health education. One of the most shocking facts is that one physician is available for every 18,400 people living in Nepal.
Education
Like poor health systems, poverty contributes to poor education and is itself perpetuated by a lack of quality education. The government provides free education for children between 6 and 12 years old. The quality of this education, though, is very poor. In 2004 only 39 percent of teachers had formal training. Further, many families do not find it plausible to send their children to school. Some lack money to pay for that which is not paid for by the government including books and clothing. Others require their children to stay home and work so that the family can be provided for. From 1981 to 2001 Nepal did see an increase in the adult literacy rate, rising from 20.6 to 48.6 percent. Still Nepal has a long way to go in educating future generations. It must overcome various obstacles, such as the common belief that there is very little reason to educate females. Only 26 percent of women, while 62 percent of men, are literate.
An excerpt from Development Case Study: Nepal by Andrew Ulasich, 2007.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Development in Nepal, Part III
Trade relations and other connections w/international economy
Nepal’s most significant relationship is with India. Along with a majority of Nepal’s border, it shares with India similarities in culture, religion, language and economy. The majority of people in both India and Nepal are Hindu. Also, both Nepalese and Hindi, their respective languages are rooted in the Sanskrit family of languages. These similarities are the base of a close relationship. They signed the Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1950 to establish a bilateral relationship. India’s borders are open to Nepal, whose citizens can move to and from their country without need for travel documents. This is important for Nepal’s struggling economy, with nearly 40 percent of its exports going to India. As Nepal is a landlocked country, it relies on Calcutta, the nearest seaport, for international trade.
There are also military relations between the two countries. India employs a great deal of young Nepalese men. India trains Nepal’s defense forces. And to support Nepal when China had just invaded Tibet, India saw to it that all arms going to Nepal would go through India, with India’s knowledge, before reaching Nepal. India’s support has been a considerable aid to the development of Nepal, which helped in building up roads, highways, communication systems, airports, education facilities, power stations, industries, the military and many other establishments. Nepal is also on good terms with its only other neighbor, China, having established formal relations in 1956.
Nepal lacks any significant foreign investment. Nepal’s dysfunctional bureaucracy, along with its vague, poorly enforced labor laws hinder firms from seeking to invest. For example, 21 percent of children ages 5 to 9 and 61 percent of children ages 10 to 14 are in the labor force. Child labor, as well as bonded labor and human trafficking exist in sizable populations of Nepal. There are, though, possible tourism and hydropower industries that could be harnessed by investors if Nepal’s infrastructure was developed and its workers trained. Without these, investors lack interest.
Nepal, then, relies heavily on foreign aid. Various agencies work through the Nepal Development Fund. These include various donor countries, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as inter-governmental organizations (IGOs). Japan is Nepal’s largest bilateral source of foreign aid. The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank are the largest multilateral donors to Nepal. Donors are losing confidence, though, as Nepal’s political instability and corruption continue. Poverty relief efforts are accused of corruption and an inability to use the aid in an efficient way.
An excerpt from Development Case Study: Nepal by Andrew Ulasich, 2007.
Nepal’s most significant relationship is with India. Along with a majority of Nepal’s border, it shares with India similarities in culture, religion, language and economy. The majority of people in both India and Nepal are Hindu. Also, both Nepalese and Hindi, their respective languages are rooted in the Sanskrit family of languages. These similarities are the base of a close relationship. They signed the Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1950 to establish a bilateral relationship. India’s borders are open to Nepal, whose citizens can move to and from their country without need for travel documents. This is important for Nepal’s struggling economy, with nearly 40 percent of its exports going to India. As Nepal is a landlocked country, it relies on Calcutta, the nearest seaport, for international trade.
There are also military relations between the two countries. India employs a great deal of young Nepalese men. India trains Nepal’s defense forces. And to support Nepal when China had just invaded Tibet, India saw to it that all arms going to Nepal would go through India, with India’s knowledge, before reaching Nepal. India’s support has been a considerable aid to the development of Nepal, which helped in building up roads, highways, communication systems, airports, education facilities, power stations, industries, the military and many other establishments. Nepal is also on good terms with its only other neighbor, China, having established formal relations in 1956.
Nepal lacks any significant foreign investment. Nepal’s dysfunctional bureaucracy, along with its vague, poorly enforced labor laws hinder firms from seeking to invest. For example, 21 percent of children ages 5 to 9 and 61 percent of children ages 10 to 14 are in the labor force. Child labor, as well as bonded labor and human trafficking exist in sizable populations of Nepal. There are, though, possible tourism and hydropower industries that could be harnessed by investors if Nepal’s infrastructure was developed and its workers trained. Without these, investors lack interest.
Nepal, then, relies heavily on foreign aid. Various agencies work through the Nepal Development Fund. These include various donor countries, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as inter-governmental organizations (IGOs). Japan is Nepal’s largest bilateral source of foreign aid. The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank are the largest multilateral donors to Nepal. Donors are losing confidence, though, as Nepal’s political instability and corruption continue. Poverty relief efforts are accused of corruption and an inability to use the aid in an efficient way.
An excerpt from Development Case Study: Nepal by Andrew Ulasich, 2007.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Development in Nepal, Part II
Natural Resources
Nepal’s natural resource base is largely insufficient to meet the needs that its economy requires (Library of Congress). Its ‘scenic beauty’ is considered one of its most commercially significant resources. Nepal is drastically low on fuel resources, and the resources it does have, like hydropower, fail to be utilized. Further, Nepal’s mountainous terrain renders 1/3 of the land area unfit for agriculture or forestry. The hills and mountains also frustrate the development of efficient transportation systems. Still, total road length in Nepal has grown from 367 kilometers in 1965 to 17,217 kilometers in 2005. Monsoons also contribute to difficult conditions. Nepal often experiences flooding and draught, both of which can destroy crops. Flooding also causes occasional landslides that can shut down main highways in Nepal for days.
State of the Environment
Nepal has numerous environmental problems plaguing its country. Industry in Nepal produces sedimentation that flows into the rivers, polluting the water. The indoor air is polluted by the burning of wood for fuel. This also is a cause of respiratory problems in Nepal. Outdoor air, especially in urban areas, is polluted by automobiles and industry.
Deforestation is a major concern for those seeking development in Nepal. It is one of the biggest factors hindering economic growth (Library of Congress). This forest loss contributes to an increase of floods, soil erosion, and low agricultural yield. From 1966 to 2000, forest cover of total land area dropped from 45 to 29 percent. Forest loss results from population growth, increased use of wood for fuel, infrastructure, and clearing of forests to use land for grazing and farming. Alongside deforestation is the problem of land degradation. This is also caused by population growth, as well as incorrect use of agro-chemicals, and increased cropping intensity. Holdings are too small to sufficiently provide for families. So, 1.5 million tons of soil nutrients are lost every year. Soil erosion and flooding had ruined 5 percent of agricultural holdings by 2002 to the extent that they are useless for agriculture.
An excerpt from Development Case Study: Nepal by Andrew Ulasich, 2007.
Nepal’s natural resource base is largely insufficient to meet the needs that its economy requires (Library of Congress). Its ‘scenic beauty’ is considered one of its most commercially significant resources. Nepal is drastically low on fuel resources, and the resources it does have, like hydropower, fail to be utilized. Further, Nepal’s mountainous terrain renders 1/3 of the land area unfit for agriculture or forestry. The hills and mountains also frustrate the development of efficient transportation systems. Still, total road length in Nepal has grown from 367 kilometers in 1965 to 17,217 kilometers in 2005. Monsoons also contribute to difficult conditions. Nepal often experiences flooding and draught, both of which can destroy crops. Flooding also causes occasional landslides that can shut down main highways in Nepal for days.
State of the Environment
Nepal has numerous environmental problems plaguing its country. Industry in Nepal produces sedimentation that flows into the rivers, polluting the water. The indoor air is polluted by the burning of wood for fuel. This also is a cause of respiratory problems in Nepal. Outdoor air, especially in urban areas, is polluted by automobiles and industry.
Deforestation is a major concern for those seeking development in Nepal. It is one of the biggest factors hindering economic growth (Library of Congress). This forest loss contributes to an increase of floods, soil erosion, and low agricultural yield. From 1966 to 2000, forest cover of total land area dropped from 45 to 29 percent. Forest loss results from population growth, increased use of wood for fuel, infrastructure, and clearing of forests to use land for grazing and farming. Alongside deforestation is the problem of land degradation. This is also caused by population growth, as well as incorrect use of agro-chemicals, and increased cropping intensity. Holdings are too small to sufficiently provide for families. So, 1.5 million tons of soil nutrients are lost every year. Soil erosion and flooding had ruined 5 percent of agricultural holdings by 2002 to the extent that they are useless for agriculture.
An excerpt from Development Case Study: Nepal by Andrew Ulasich, 2007.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Development in Nepal, Part I
About a year ago, I wrote a paper for my International Political Economy class on development in Nepal. I'll break up the paper into sections, and over the next few weeks we'll do a little series that will give you a better idea of Nepal's struggle to develop.
Part I:
Size and Composition of the Economy:
Between 1990 and 2004, 24.1 percent of the population of Nepal was living on less than one dollar a day, and 68.5 percent was living on less than 2 dollars a day. Almost 1/3 of the 25½ million people currently live below the poverty line. With a Human Development Index ranking of 138 out of 177, the vast poverty in Nepal is unquestionable.
The economy of Nepal is dominated by agriculture. The Library of Congress notes that agriculture is its most important economic sector. Since the 1960s agriculture has accounted for nearly ½ of Nepal’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employed most of the population. In 2004 agriculture had decreased to 40.3 percent of Nepal’s GDP, down from 1964 when it made up 65.5 percent. In 1971 94.4 percent of the working population was part of the agricultural labor force. This decreased to 65.7 percent in 2001. Unfortunately, its agricultural sector fails to support the people. Nepal has not been self-sufficient in food grain production since the 1980s. The country suffers from a lack of technology which continues to frustrate agricultural development. For example, tractors and threshers are used in less than 10 percent of holdings and 65 percent of landholdings rely on rainfall as opposed to irrigation. Because of struggling production, cropping intensity has increased significantly, causing further soil erosion.
Other sources of income include industry, manufacturing and services. Nepal’s industry and manufacturing make up 14 and 9 percent of GDP, respectively. This has increased since 1965 when industry was 7.7 percent and manufacturing was 3.3 percent of GDP. Nepal’s industry and manufacturing is described as ‘sluggish’ both in input and output (Library of Congress).
Degree to which Economy has Grown/Declined:
Nepal suffers from political instability, civil conflict, adverse weather conditions, rugged terrain, and suffering infrastructure, educational and health systems. Despite these factors contributing to a struggling economy, Nepal has experienced some, though minimal, growth in the past several decades. The World Bank suggests that access to basic services, such as education and health care, has increased a great deal. The infant mortality rate, at 101 (per 1,000 live births) in 1990, has decreased to 61 in 2003. Life expectancy is at 60 years. Although this has increased, it remains lower than other countries in South Asia. Throughout the 1990s Nepal saw an average GDP growth of 5 percent. This decreased to 3 percent in recent years, due to increased civil conflict. Most reduction in poverty in the late nineties until recently, according to the World Bank, is attributed to ‘conflict-induced migration’ rather than significant change in people’s income. Its GDP is only $260 (US) per year, revealing the fact that, writes the World Bank, “Nepal remains one of the poorest countries in the world.
An excerpt from Development Case Study: Nepal by Andrew Ulasich, 2007.
Part I:
Size and Composition of the Economy:
Between 1990 and 2004, 24.1 percent of the population of Nepal was living on less than one dollar a day, and 68.5 percent was living on less than 2 dollars a day. Almost 1/3 of the 25½ million people currently live below the poverty line. With a Human Development Index ranking of 138 out of 177, the vast poverty in Nepal is unquestionable.
The economy of Nepal is dominated by agriculture. The Library of Congress notes that agriculture is its most important economic sector. Since the 1960s agriculture has accounted for nearly ½ of Nepal’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employed most of the population. In 2004 agriculture had decreased to 40.3 percent of Nepal’s GDP, down from 1964 when it made up 65.5 percent. In 1971 94.4 percent of the working population was part of the agricultural labor force. This decreased to 65.7 percent in 2001. Unfortunately, its agricultural sector fails to support the people. Nepal has not been self-sufficient in food grain production since the 1980s. The country suffers from a lack of technology which continues to frustrate agricultural development. For example, tractors and threshers are used in less than 10 percent of holdings and 65 percent of landholdings rely on rainfall as opposed to irrigation. Because of struggling production, cropping intensity has increased significantly, causing further soil erosion.
Other sources of income include industry, manufacturing and services. Nepal’s industry and manufacturing make up 14 and 9 percent of GDP, respectively. This has increased since 1965 when industry was 7.7 percent and manufacturing was 3.3 percent of GDP. Nepal’s industry and manufacturing is described as ‘sluggish’ both in input and output (Library of Congress).
Degree to which Economy has Grown/Declined:
Nepal suffers from political instability, civil conflict, adverse weather conditions, rugged terrain, and suffering infrastructure, educational and health systems. Despite these factors contributing to a struggling economy, Nepal has experienced some, though minimal, growth in the past several decades. The World Bank suggests that access to basic services, such as education and health care, has increased a great deal. The infant mortality rate, at 101 (per 1,000 live births) in 1990, has decreased to 61 in 2003. Life expectancy is at 60 years. Although this has increased, it remains lower than other countries in South Asia. Throughout the 1990s Nepal saw an average GDP growth of 5 percent. This decreased to 3 percent in recent years, due to increased civil conflict. Most reduction in poverty in the late nineties until recently, according to the World Bank, is attributed to ‘conflict-induced migration’ rather than significant change in people’s income. Its GDP is only $260 (US) per year, revealing the fact that, writes the World Bank, “Nepal remains one of the poorest countries in the world.
An excerpt from Development Case Study: Nepal by Andrew Ulasich, 2007.
Monday, May 5, 2008
WMF Nepal Community Prayer Letter - May 2008
Dear friends of WMF Nepal,
We, as a community, would like to share with you an overview of the work that we do, as well as an update on the changes and transitions occurring here in Nepal. Listed below are the ministries we are currently involved in:
Karuna Ghar – Home for Girls
Gautam and Rekha Rai are the parents of this family of girls. Karuna Ghar (Home of Compassion) provides a hope-filled future for girls from backgrounds of abuse and neglect. Karuna Ghar has been running since September 5, 2001. The Rais currently have twelve children.
Prem Ghar – Home for Elderly Women
At Prem Ghar (Home of Love) Jyoti Bhattarai and her family care for elderly women who have been widowed or abandoned by their families. Jyoti serves the ammas (mothers) diligently, and the ammas have found love and life at the home, where they occupy their time raising vegetables and being grandmothers to the Bhattarais’ four children. Prem Ghar opened December 18, 2000 and is currently home to five ammas.
Street Ministry
The WMF Nepal staff continue to spend time on the streets with children, young men and women. The staff act as “social workers” for the street children, providing counseling, first aid, home visits, family reintegration, jail visits and hospital visits. After the closure of Kripaa Sadhan (Home of Mercy), a rehabilitation center for men, Raju Thakuri, who completed treatment there, began serving as an intern with WMF. He is currently working alongside staff member, Top Magar, in our street ministry.
Updates:
In late November, 2007, Gautam and Raju made the five day journey (two days by bus, three on foot) to Gautam’s home village in a remote mountain district near Mount Everest. They returned with two young girls, Shanti and Christine, who were welcomed into the Karuna Ghar family.
Since their arrival, we have discovered that Christine is suffering from a congenital heart disease which has also affected her lungs, liver and physical development. Although she is eleven years old, she is only the size of an average 3-4 year old. Aside from this, Christine’s right hand bears two striking deformities. Her ring and middle fingers are webbed, with skin bonding them together, as are her index finger and thumb. Over the next several months, Christine will undergo heart surgery as well as cosmetic surgery for her hand. In addition to Christine’s needs, Bhawani, the first girl to come to Karuna Ghar in 2000, now age 13, is also in need of oral surgery and braces. Please keep Christine, Bhawani and the rest of the Karuna Ghar family in your prayers.
When Gautam and Raju returned from the village they also brought one amma, Shakal Shoba Rai, who was carried in a basket during the three day trek. In early February, Shakal Amma slipped and fell in the bathroom and broke her leg, making us aware of the need for renovations to provide better care for the ammas, especially those with physical limitations. Prem Ghar also is expecting to receive two new ammas in the next few months.
Since the closing of Kripaa Sadhan last year, Brook Birch continues to be involved in relationships with the men who went through treatment there. In addition, Top and Raju are developing relationships with a group of young boys on the street. As a community, we are praying for new direction and vision for this area of ministry.
Transition:
Our community is in the midst of a great many transitions. In January, Field Directors Silas and Kimberly West’s eldest son, Jedidiah, was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. In order to provide the support that he needs, the Wests will have to leave Nepal this fall. The Wests have served with WMF in Kathmandu for the last ten years. In addition to serving as Field Directors, they also serve as the South Asia Regional Coordinators. Silas and Kim will be moving to Omaha where Silas will be taking a position with WMF at the US Office as Coordinator of Community Care, Emphasis on Mental and Emotional Well-being.
Other transitions include new and returning staff. Jesse Heirendt and Andrew Ulasich began their three-year staff contracts, joining the community in January and February, respectively. At the end of April, Kara DeBruyn returned after a ten-month leave of absence from the field, and Calvin Smothers began his first staff contract as Servant Team Coordinator.
In light of all this transition, we have found it necessary to rent an office space. It is our hope that this will foster structure, stability, and creativity within the community.
Financial Needs
As can be imagined, caring for more women and children, welcoming new staff, and pursuing new initiatives comes with greater financial needs. The field account, supported solely through individual donations, is used to fund the above ministries and pay our Nepali staff salaries. For the last 18 months, our field account has been running over a 40% deficit. The cost of basic necessities such as rice and cooking fuel has increased as much as 35% in the past year, while the value of the dollar has declined nearly 20%. So, each dollar that is given is worth less than it was a year ago for things that cost more than they did a year ago. The following is a summary of our financial status and needs:
• Our current monthly need is approximately $3000.
• Donations that currently support the field are monthly averaging $1500-$1800.
• Additional needs include:
• Surgeries for Christine and Bhawani - about $1200
• Renovations for Prem Ghar - $5000
• The additional cost of our office - $100/month
• Offsetting the monthly field account deficit - $1200-$1500/month
With these needs arising, we invite you to prayerfully consider how you might partner with us. We deeply value your prayers and support for us individually and would like to connect you to our ministry as a community. It is our hope that even as the Wests leave, those of you who are connected to them would remain connected to the work you have been supporting in Nepal for the past ten years. For those of you who are new to WMF Nepal, it is our desire for you to be more aware of our work and to have a deeper sense of partnership with our community. One way we are attempting to do this is by creating a community blog (website), in addition to our personal blogs, on which we hope to regularly share field updates.
Much gratitude and love from Nepal,
WMF Nepal Community
-----------------------------------
Giving Instructions
Word Made Flesh accepts cash gifts, checks, and money orders. Automated Deduction is also available.
To download a response form please use the link provided below:
http://www.wordmadeflesh.com/support/Response.pdf
Fill it out and send it, along with your check or money order to: WMF, P.O. Box 70, Omaha, NE 68101. Please make all checks payable to 'Word Made Flesh' and do not write anything in the memo portion of the check. The IRS does not allow Word Made Flesh to give tax deductible receipts if a designation has been written in the memo portion of the check.
Pictured Above:
1) The newest member of Karuna Ghar, Christine
2) Shakal Shoba Rai, Amma from Prem Ghar
3) Staff Member Top Magar and intern Raju Thakuri
4) Gautam and Rekha with the Karuna Ghar family
We, as a community, would like to share with you an overview of the work that we do, as well as an update on the changes and transitions occurring here in Nepal. Listed below are the ministries we are currently involved in:Karuna Ghar – Home for Girls
Gautam and Rekha Rai are the parents of this family of girls. Karuna Ghar (Home of Compassion) provides a hope-filled future for girls from backgrounds of abuse and neglect. Karuna Ghar has been running since September 5, 2001. The Rais currently have twelve children.
Prem Ghar – Home for Elderly Women
At Prem Ghar (Home of Love) Jyoti Bhattarai and her family care for elderly women who have been widowed or abandoned by their families. Jyoti serves the ammas (mothers) diligently, and the ammas have found love and life at the home, where they occupy their time raising vegetables and being grandmothers to the Bhattarais’ four children. Prem Ghar opened December 18, 2000 and is currently home to five ammas.Street Ministry
The WMF Nepal staff continue to spend time on the streets with children, young men and women. The staff act as “social workers” for the street children, providing counseling, first aid, home visits, family reintegration, jail visits and hospital visits. After the closure of Kripaa Sadhan (Home of Mercy), a rehabilitation center for men, Raju Thakuri, who completed treatment there, began serving as an intern with WMF. He is currently working alongside staff member, Top Magar, in our street ministry.Updates:
In late November, 2007, Gautam and Raju made the five day journey (two days by bus, three on foot) to Gautam’s home village in a remote mountain district near Mount Everest. They returned with two young girls, Shanti and Christine, who were welcomed into the Karuna Ghar family.
Since their arrival, we have discovered that Christine is suffering from a congenital heart disease which has also affected her lungs, liver and physical development. Although she is eleven years old, she is only the size of an average 3-4 year old. Aside from this, Christine’s right hand bears two striking deformities. Her ring and middle fingers are webbed, with skin bonding them together, as are her index finger and thumb. Over the next several months, Christine will undergo heart surgery as well as cosmetic surgery for her hand. In addition to Christine’s needs, Bhawani, the first girl to come to Karuna Ghar in 2000, now age 13, is also in need of oral surgery and braces. Please keep Christine, Bhawani and the rest of the Karuna Ghar family in your prayers.When Gautam and Raju returned from the village they also brought one amma, Shakal Shoba Rai, who was carried in a basket during the three day trek. In early February, Shakal Amma slipped and fell in the bathroom and broke her leg, making us aware of the need for renovations to provide better care for the ammas, especially those with physical limitations. Prem Ghar also is expecting to receive two new ammas in the next few months.
Since the closing of Kripaa Sadhan last year, Brook Birch continues to be involved in relationships with the men who went through treatment there. In addition, Top and Raju are developing relationships with a group of young boys on the street. As a community, we are praying for new direction and vision for this area of ministry.
Transition:
Our community is in the midst of a great many transitions. In January, Field Directors Silas and Kimberly West’s eldest son, Jedidiah, was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. In order to provide the support that he needs, the Wests will have to leave Nepal this fall. The Wests have served with WMF in Kathmandu for the last ten years. In addition to serving as Field Directors, they also serve as the South Asia Regional Coordinators. Silas and Kim will be moving to Omaha where Silas will be taking a position with WMF at the US Office as Coordinator of Community Care, Emphasis on Mental and Emotional Well-being.
Other transitions include new and returning staff. Jesse Heirendt and Andrew Ulasich began their three-year staff contracts, joining the community in January and February, respectively. At the end of April, Kara DeBruyn returned after a ten-month leave of absence from the field, and Calvin Smothers began his first staff contract as Servant Team Coordinator.
In light of all this transition, we have found it necessary to rent an office space. It is our hope that this will foster structure, stability, and creativity within the community.
Financial Needs
As can be imagined, caring for more women and children, welcoming new staff, and pursuing new initiatives comes with greater financial needs. The field account, supported solely through individual donations, is used to fund the above ministries and pay our Nepali staff salaries. For the last 18 months, our field account has been running over a 40% deficit. The cost of basic necessities such as rice and cooking fuel has increased as much as 35% in the past year, while the value of the dollar has declined nearly 20%. So, each dollar that is given is worth less than it was a year ago for things that cost more than they did a year ago. The following is a summary of our financial status and needs:
• Our current monthly need is approximately $3000.
• Donations that currently support the field are monthly averaging $1500-$1800.
• Additional needs include:
• Surgeries for Christine and Bhawani - about $1200
• Renovations for Prem Ghar - $5000
• The additional cost of our office - $100/month
• Offsetting the monthly field account deficit - $1200-$1500/month
With these needs arising, we invite you to prayerfully consider how you might partner with us. We deeply value your prayers and support for us individually and would like to connect you to our ministry as a community. It is our hope that even as the Wests leave, those of you who are connected to them would remain connected to the work you have been supporting in Nepal for the past ten years. For those of you who are new to WMF Nepal, it is our desire for you to be more aware of our work and to have a deeper sense of partnership with our community. One way we are attempting to do this is by creating a community blog (website), in addition to our personal blogs, on which we hope to regularly share field updates.
Much gratitude and love from Nepal,
WMF Nepal Community
-----------------------------------
Giving Instructions
Word Made Flesh accepts cash gifts, checks, and money orders. Automated Deduction is also available.
To download a response form please use the link provided below:
http://www.wordmadeflesh.com/support/Response.pdf
Fill it out and send it, along with your check or money order to: WMF, P.O. Box 70, Omaha, NE 68101. Please make all checks payable to 'Word Made Flesh' and do not write anything in the memo portion of the check. The IRS does not allow Word Made Flesh to give tax deductible receipts if a designation has been written in the memo portion of the check.
Pictured Above:
1) The newest member of Karuna Ghar, Christine
2) Shakal Shoba Rai, Amma from Prem Ghar
3) Staff Member Top Magar and intern Raju Thakuri
4) Gautam and Rekha with the Karuna Ghar family
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