December 15, 2004
Dear Friend of Nepal,
On behalf of the America Nepal Medical Foundation, we wish you a happy holiday. If this is the first time you are hearing from us, America Nepal Medical Foundation (ANMF) is a voluntary organization based in North America dedicated to building Nepal’s medical infrastructure and developing the country’s ability to become self-sustaining in healthcare. ANMF has a sister organization ANMF/Nepal for coordinating and monitoring its activities in Nepal.
Nepal is going through an extremely difficult time stricken by violence making remote areas even more inaccessible. Yet Nepal is in need of our help more than in the time of peace. Despite travel warnings, our volunteers continue to move about and work in Nepal. This November ANMF held a Gastroenterology Continuing Medical Education (CME) program in Nepal under the leadership of Dr. Roshan Shrestha and Dr. Douglas Morgan, both from University of North Carolina. Nepali physicians and ultimately the Nepali people have benefited from CME programs which are extremely well attended (see CME).
With the generous support received from ANMF members and others who care for Nepal, ANMF continues to significantly improve healthcare and medical education in Nepal. In 2004, we provided $21,500 to fund three healthcare projects in Nepal. Details of previously funded projects and other ANMF activities can be found at Projects.
We are now looking for your support for 2005. Through an open application process ANMF has received project proposals from qualified institutions. ANMF/Nepal has identified three of these as highest priority:
Other qualified projects include the training of medical education specialists through distance learning based MHPE program - Patan Hospital ($16,400); and the speech therapy training program for cleft palate patients in the peripheral sites of Nepal (second year) - Kathmandu Model Hospital ($8,000). Additionally, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital has requested individual donations of $1,350 to be given in the names of beloved family members. This fund will be used to build a needed inpatient building with a Hall of Memory permanently displaying the details of individual donations.
Total funds requested for the projects exceed amounts we have successfully raised previously and we will have to work hard to fund all programs completely. Final funding decisions will depend on the availability of funds. Donations targeted to individual projects will be used as directed by the donors.
ANMF is a tax-exempt 501(c) (3) organization. All ANMF staff are volunteers, except a part-time office coordinator in Nepal. A brief overview of ANMF activities can be found at 2004 Highlights. For more information see About ANMF.
Please help ANMF by paying membership dues and by contributing to specific projects. Donations are possible by check, credit card on the website, or by contributions of securities. If you have questions, please contact ANMF. Our mailing address is ANMF, 2743 South Veterans Pkwy, PMB#302, Springfield, IL 62704 USA.
We wish you a very joyous holiday season and a brilliant new year. We hope peace and happiness will prevail in Nepal and for all of humanity. Thank you.
Sincerely,
| Janak Koirala, MD, MPH, FACP Chair, Board of Directors |
Julia Shepardson Executive Director |