November 04, 2015
I can't believe I got to meet two of my inspirations this week, 2010 CNN Hero Anuradha Koirala and 2012 CNN Hero Pushpa Basnet. These two Nepali women are brave, courageous, caring, amazingly strong women who have done so much to help the women and children of Nepal. Feels surreal to even be mentioned in the same breath with them, let alone to be up for the same award.
October 28, 2015
This past Friday the Kopila Valley 10th graders embarked on an 11-day field trip to the Kathmandu Valley to assist with earthquake recovery efforts and explore the surrounding areas. For many of them, this is their first time visiting Kathmandu. Our Director of Sustainability, Jamie MacDonald, has been sending updates from the field. Yesterday he let us know that 10th graders are having the time of their lives!
October 21, 2015
About a month ago, we welcomed The Life Aquaponic to Kopila Valley. As a quick introduction to aquaponics (because we needed one too), this system combines fish farming with hydroponic fruit and vegetable production. Fish are raised in a tank or pond environment and, as they soil the water with their waste, this water is pumped to vertical grow towers and horizontal grow beds where a large variety of nutritious fruits and vegetables are planted. As this happens, beneficial bacteria break down the “waste,” making the nutrients readily available for the plants.
October 08, 2015
AHHHH!!! Guess what??!? We were named one of CNN’s Top Ten heroes of the year! I am teary eyed, humbled, and so filled with joy. This recognition belongs to our entire Nepali team here on the ground (80 strong) of teachers, administrators, & caregivers. It also belongs to our community here in Surkhet, our family of supporters around the world, and this beautiful & resilient country of Nepal. My little heroes are the children in our home and school who have endured and persevered and hold the future in their hands. Thank you to all who helped us reach this point!
October 01, 2015
One of our proudest parenting moments this year was helping all of our teenagers get summer jobs. Finding internships and employment opportunities for 22 teens was no easy feat. It was a team effort with big props going out to our English Fellow Anjali Belur for helping the kids make resumes and set up interviews and to our Director of Human Ecology, (aka house mother,) the amazing Nena Sivess.