Help vulnerable families rebuild homes in Nepal

Dear GlobalGiver,

For this report, I want to focus on a collaboration and reflection – one that sprang from the hard work of our team in Nepal, and one that inspires me today. On April 5^th, GoodWeave joined the National Business Initiative and UNICEF Nepal to host a “National Dialogue on Responsible Business” in Kathmandu. This event focused on the role of businesses in creating safe, responsible, and ethical business practices, especially around issues of child labor. The event was successful and inspiring – over 60 participants from the government, civil society and businesses came together at the National Dialogue on Responsible Business to acknowledge existing good practices while define a new “business as usual” for Nepal that will contribute to a child-labor-free future.

I am always heartened to see businesses, NGOs, and governments coming together to make change. But the most inspiring words to come out of the week were not my own: one of GoodWeave’s board members, Amol Mehra, attended the event and had a chance to visit GoodWeave’s programs. His reflections are below:

GoodWeave Nepal

The staff that we met with at GoodWeave Nepal could not have been more kind, patient and committed to the work they are doing. From the inspectors to the head of the transit home, there was a deep pride in being affiliated with GoodWeave International... It was inspiring to see their resilience and dedication.

The GoodWeave Schools and Transit Home

These visits were perhaps my most treasured. We visited a school supported by GoodWeave with over 90 children. The children seemed so happy even with the incredible struggles they have been confronting. Their smiles and chants of “NAMASTE!” as we walked through their classes will remain with me. It’s incredible to see how directly the work GoodWeave is doing is impacting their lives.

The transit home was equally profound. The students were furiously working away on their lessons and seemed grateful to have a sanctuary of calm to learn, grow and live. The staff that ran the center were top notch and had such a positive relationship with the kids.

The Big Event

The National Dialogue made clear to me how GoodWeave International is positioned in Nepal as a key driver of reforms on child labor. Every single participant referenced the good work of GoodWeave International, including the Labor Minister.

Hope and Pride

Ultimately, I leave this week feeling much hope and pride. Hope that this work will put an end to child labor and give kids a chance to live fully realized lives. Pride in that I am affiliated with an organization that is really making a difference - and at scale.

I hope you all will have a chance to experience GoodWeave in action, to meet the local staff and to hear for yourselves the melody of “NAMASTE!” from smiling children.

I join Amol in the same feeling of hope and pride for the future of Nepal, and children all over the world. As always, thank you for your support – it is only because of you that we can create inspiring stories like these.

Warmly,

Nina