A Proud Partnership!

On September 7, our Nepali nonprofit partner, Volunteers Initiative Nepal (VIN) celebrated a significant milestone - 10 years in service to marginalized communities of rural Nepal. We are proud to have worked closely with them over the last three years to bring Early Childhood Centers to Okhaldhunga. Without their support and assistance, we never would have been able to train 60 preschool teachers, renovate 19 classrooms and build 11 new Centers.

VIN's mission  to empower marginalized communities is evident in the huge accomplishments they have completed over the last 10 years. These include; creation of 150 women's clubs, initiation of a micro-financing program for women, development of 32 children's clubs, educational improvements and renovations in 50+ partner schools, 600+ toilets built, over 14,000 beneficiaries of free medical treatment, thousands of villagers who have benefited from health education programs, 1500+ local and international volunteers mobilized, 50+ long/short term work camps and thousands of monks and nuns in 14 partner monasteries who have learned English from VIN's international volunteers. 

VIN's response to following the April 25 earthquake that devastated Nepal was impressive. In a period of several month, VIN was able to distribute over 1200 tents, build 550 transitional shelters, construct 50 temporary classrooms and employ over 160 local workers. 

PiSL congratulates VIN on their inspiring and important accomplishments in Nepal. We look forward to working together over the next decade to continue to empower the women, men, youth and children of Nepal!

Diann Grimm is the Founder and Executive Director of Partners in Sustainable Learning.  She went to Nepal in 2008 and volunteered with VIN in Jitpurphedi.