Raising funds for a cause

The Help Nepal Network (HeNN), a global charity run by Nepalese based across the world, has continued to raise funds, to support in the fields of health, education and emergency relief in Nepal.

Help Nepal Network (HeNN)-Australia held an international fund raising programs in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Perth this year and raised approximately AD14000.

Forty percent (40%) of the funds was received as a donation. The objective of the International fund raising event every year is to raise funds for HENN projects.

The funds raised this year will be used mainly in the construction of four classrooms at Sri Jeevan Jyoti Lower Secondary School in Hanspur VDC of Gorkha District, E-library and other educational and health projects.

In Melbourne, a dinner and cultural program was organized and 200 odd people attended the program. Nick Farr, a mountaineer from, Melbourne, Australia who had successfully climbed Mt Everest in 2005 gave a presentation highlighting his role and importance of HENN work in Nepal. Shanker Bairagi, Charge-de Affairs was the chief guest on the occasion and praised the work that HENN has been doing in Nepal.

In Canberra, Nepalese Community Association celebrated the occasion combined with the Nepalese Association function. In Sydney, a dinner program was organized with Dheeraj Shrestha one of the foremost classical tabla percussionist in Australia from Nepal gave his solo performance. The founder of Rhythm Sutra, Dheeraj Shrestha, has performed worldwide including in Royal Albert Hall, Smithsonian Institute, Melbourne Commonwealth Games and Big Day Out. Dheeraj on the tabla was accompanied by Mark Henman on the drums and Nick Aggs on the saxophone. The newly-appointed Nepalese Ambassador to Australia HE Yogendra Dhakal and Nepalese Honorary Consul General Christine Gee were among the many supporters who attended the functions.

In Perth, similar program was held by Perth Nepalese Community Association.

Meanwhile, a young Nepali bride and an Australian bridegroom used their wedding as an opportunity to raise funds for HeNN.

Saleena Shrestha and Bradley Guy Macarthur recently wedded, requested their guests to donate money for two charities in Nepal and Australia instead being lavished by wedding gifts. They chose Help Nepal Network and the Australian Heart Foundation as the recipients of their generosity.

The couple raised over A$2800 and each of the two organizations received half of the money raised.

The HeNN includes volunteers from all walks of life. The aim of the Network is to encourage Nepalis and those with an interest in Nepal, around the world to contribute and provide assistance in the fields of health, education and emergency relief.

The first two chapters of the Network were established in the UK and Nepal simultaneously in late 1999 and since then the Network has expanded to nearly a dozen countries.

HeNN-Nepal, based in Kathmandu, supervises and co-ordinates the Network's projects in Nepal. The HeNN teams abroad encourage Nepalis to "have a can of beer or a carton of juice less in a month and donate the savings to the fund " and HeNN-Nepal encourages Nepalis at home to " have a plate of momo and a few cups of tea less in a month and donate the savings to the fund ." nepalnews.com Apr 17 08