Maggie
Namjou

In 1997, Maggie Namjou established the Aastha House, a home for children formerly living on the street in Budhanilkantha, a town outside of Kathmandu.

Williston, Vermont

Maggie Namjou has proved that grassroots philanthropy can truly change the world. Namjou is the Founder and Director of The Rising Child Nepal Foundation, but she began her humanitarian journey quietly, taking two impoverished Nepalese children into her home. Namjou discovered the children after her friend, a polio stricken beggar, took her to meet his family.

Namjou saw the poverty and danger surrounding the beggar’s young children in the family, and his inability to give them a better life. With the blessing of the father, Namjou took the two children into her home in Nepal. By providing two poor Nepalese children with the opportunity for education and success outside of the streets, Namjou opened a humanitarian floodgate. Soon, Namjou’s home transformed into a sanctuary for poor Kathmandu children who found respite from a world of crime and poverty in her caring presence.

Maggie Namjou officially changed her private residence into Aastha House in 1997, using her own money to take in street children and give them a safe haven from the dangers surrounding them. The success of The Rising Child Nepal Foundation allowed Namjou to acquire outside funding to support the development of Aastha House.

Through an innovative educational and human development program, Maggie Namjou visits the Kalimati slum with two important tools: food and knowledge. Namjou has initiated a drop-in schooling program that offers free classes on literacy, hygiene, and nutrition. In an effort to promote program participation and improve overall community health, Maggie Namjou rewards regular class attendees with free lunches. The popularity of Namjou’s efforts is a testament to the success of her program; each day, nearly 100 children are served free meals.

Maggie Namjou also provides support to impoverished communities in the Gorkha district of Nepal, where she has presented scholarships to over 150 girls mostly from the lowest caste of society, helping give them an education that would otherwise prove unattainable.

Although Namjou still likes to say Vermont is her American home (at least in her heart), the majority of her time and energy are spent in Nepal these days. She says she is so lucky to have found her life’s calling and considers Nepal to be her true home.

Maggie Namjou's Affiliations

Animal Nepal

I regularly volunteer with Animal Nepal, an NGO in the Laliptur District of Kathmandu Valley run by a dedicated group of volunteers, campaigners, and educators. Since 2004, Animal Nepal has raised awareness about the widespread epidemic of animal abuse in Nepal and provided practical intervention when possible. Animal Nepal envisions a time when the country is considered a model for animal welfare and labors to make that vision a reality. The organization is currently pursuing three primary goals: creating a well-functioning animal health industry, campaigning for animal welfare, and supporting programs to provide loving homes for stray animals. Animal Nepal collaborates with the Animal Welfare Network Nepal, a group formed to ensure better lives for animals throughout the country. AWNN is only two years old, but the organization has already made remarkable strides toward building a valuable network of animal welfare organizations and popularizing a concern for animal welfare throughout Nepal. The network also serves as an incomparable educational resource and has done much to advocate for animal rights. At present, Animal Nepal runs five unique campaigns focusing on education, awareness and action to benefit Nepali animals. The first campaign, Stop Monkey Business, discourages the export of rhesus monkeys for animal research purposes. The second, Animal Welfare Legislation, coordinates directly with government agencies such as the Department of Livestock Services. The third, Worship without Cruelty, questions mass slaughters and extreme cruelty for the sake of culture at certain religious ceremonies. The fourth, Save the Nepali Donkey, provides labor donkeys with adequate food and water as well as regular medical attention. The fifth campaign works with locals to encourage the free adoption of Nepali dogs, placing rescued dogs into nourishing and affectionate homes.

Maggie Namjou's Links

Maggie Namjou on FastCompany, Maggie Namjou on Wordpress

MaggieNamjou

In 1997, Maggie Namjou established the Aastha House, a home for children formerly living on the street in Budhanilkantha, a town outside of Kathmandu.

Williston, Vermont

Maggie Namjou's Affiliations

Maggie Namjou's Links

Maggie
Namjou