Our volunteers are essential to our work helping children. Get to know Sachin and how he’s contributing to Inspiration Society of Nepal.
Since 2007, Children’s Home has been supporting the operational expenses of Inspiration Society of Nepal (ISN), a small home in Kathmandu that cares for orphaned and abandoned children, as part of our Global Family Support projects. We’d like to shine the spotlight on an individual in our community who has volunteered several hours of his time in the past two years to support ISN: Sachin Parajuli.
Sachin has been contributing his accounting skills to ISN by consulting on ISN’s financial data and reviewing its record-keeping practices. This helps ISN ensure that its funds are properly tracked and documented, which in turn helps its accountability to Children’s Home’s ISN supporters. He took some time this week to interview with Molly Rochon.
Where in Nepal are you from and how would you describe it?
I am from Pokhara, which is located 200 km west of the capital, Kathmandu City. It is the 2nd largest city of Nepal and a tourist destination. It is also a base for trekkers undertaking the Annapurna trekking route.
What brought you to Minnesota?
I have been here for over 13 years. I originally moved to Minnesota to pursue my MBA degree and, in 2008, I moved to the Twin Cities when I was offered a job at CliftonLarsonAllen.
You visited Nepal this fall, about half a year after the devastating earthquake. What did you see during your visit?
It was almost half a year later but the pain was still fresh there. All of the heritage sites were destroyed, people were without a home, and there were no schools. More destruction was found in areas more remote than Kathmandu Valley. Winter was about to start with shortages of supplies and shelter for the earthquake victims. Moreover, an unofficial blockade from India and a strike from a Madheshi group at the India-Nepal border have caused shortages of fuel, general supplies, and medical supplies in Nepal. This has created an even more adverse impact for earthquake relief work.
Children and their care givers at ISN.
Why do you offer your skills and time to a cause like ISN?
ISN is doing good things for children in Nepal. Helping ISN to understand the financial presentation and requirements is important in maintaining transparent financial reporting from Nepal.
How do you stay involved with Nepali culture while living in the U.S.?
I have been involved with the Association of Nepalis in Minnesota since 2011, when I became the Treasurer and an Executive Board Member. Through this association, we organize different cultural events during Dashain and Nepal’s New Year festival, create networking through summer sports and picnics, and organize different professional networking/mentoring events for Nepalese students to get connected with each other and find mentorship from professionals.
Tell me more about the ANMN (Association of Nepalis in MN)?
ANMN is a 501(c)(3) organization which was established in 2004. Its mission is to build, preserve and promote Nepali culture and build strong community among Nepalese and friends of Nepal in the state of Minnesota. With over 5,000 Nepalese in Minnesota, there are many individuals to connect.
When the earthquake occurred in 2015, ANMN raised over $297,000 in earthquake relief funds and is now working on fund disbursement to different sectors of earthquake-affected areas.
Would ANMN be a resource for adoptive families whose children were born in Nepal?
Yes, ANMN can be a resource for adoptive families whose children were born in Nepal. ANMN can organize a particular event to connect all these families and teach them Nepal’s culture in various terms. Also, we invite these families to various events we organize each year to learn more about us and Nepal. These families can be part of those programs and get connected with Nepalese culture.
Anything else you’d like to add?
On behalf of Nepal I would like to thank ISN for helping these kids in Nepal and giving them hope. I, along with our association, will always support ISN for their mission in Nepal and work to connect adoptive families here in Minnesota.
We’d like to thank Sachin for his dedication to helping children thrive. Thank you.
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