Please view our new alternate website http://fon-la.org !!

!!! Congratulations President-Elect Barack Obama !!!

FON News and Upcoming Events:

Help needed for Colon Cancer Patient Mr. Bir Bahadur Pun
(Posted Mar 06, 2009)

Hi all,
Mr. Bir Bahadur Pun, age 34, from Pokhara (originally from Myagdi) came to the USA on a work visa a little over one year ago. He lived in Maryland and recently moved to Southern California where he was working at a small gas station. He started getting pain in his stomach - which he treated with pain killers and when it became unbearable, his employer took him to UCLA Harbor Hospital in Torrance, CA. He was diagnosed with ulcer and was suggested to undergo an operation to remove the wounded part of his intestine. During the process of operation, doctors found out that cancer had spread over his colon. Now he cannot work as he is recuperating and needs to go for chemotherapy. Mike and Ganga are providing him food and accommodation in their house. Doctors have told him that his days are numbered. He does not have health insurance. Therefore, Friends of Nepal is requesting everybody to come forward and help him for his medication and a ticket to return back to Nepal before it is too late. He has his family (wife and children) in Nepal.

Any contribution for Bir Bahadur Pun's medication will be highly appreciated. Please write your check to FRIENDS OF NEPAL-L.A. and mention, For: Bir Bahadur Pun and mail your check at: Friends of Nepal-L.A., 3500 Overland Ave., #110-51, Los Angeles, CA 90034-5696
He can be directly contacted at: birpun_pokhara@yahoo.com

Thank you all for your time.

Sincerely,
Friends of Nepal Board

Welcoming the new FON board
(Posted Nov 14, 2008)

On behalf of the FON-LA board, We would like to welcome and congratulate all new members of the FON board for a successful 2009 - 2010 term. We would also like to thank the FON Election Nomination Committee members Anil Thapa and Upendra Joshi for doing an excellent job. Based on the nominations received, the new board of Directors is going to be as follows:

Mrs. Nirmala Rocca Contributions (FON Community Help Fund)
(Posted Nov 14, 2008)

We have so far received contributions and pledges for $750.00 for the FON Community Help Fund which had made an emergency contribution of $1000.00 towards Mrs Nirmala Rocca's funeral expenses. Special thanks to SP and Amita Poudyal, Shambhu and Josephina Dhungana, Arvind and Meena Shrestha, Sher and Binita Karki, Anil Thapa (Namaste Radio, Toronto, CA), Raju and Ananta Malla, Anjan and Sangita Pradhan for their contributions and to Mohan Sharma and Dickey Dorje for their pledges.Tax deductible contributions can still be mailed to the FON's official mailing address at:

Friends of Nepal - Los Angeles
3500 Overland Ave #110-51
Los Angeles, CA 90034

New Years Party
(Posted Nov 14, 2008)

Please mark your calendar for the Friends of Nepal New years Party to be organized at the following venue on December 31st, 2008.

JJ's Indian Cuisine
11454 South Street, Cerritos, CA 90703
Phone: (562) 402-1654

More details to follow soon.

Film and lecture on Child Sex Trafficking
(Posted Oct 11, 2008)

Dear Friends of Nepal:

The UCLA Department of Public Health has asked FON to circulate information regarding the upcoming event titled "Child Sex Trafficking in Nepal," which they are hosting on Wednesday, October 22, 2008, from 5-7 PM in Room 13-105, School of Public Health (CHS). Ms. Anuradha Koirala, founder of Maiti Nepal, which provides a safe place for girls and women who have been trafficked, will be the guest speaker. As a part of the program, there will be a showing of the documentary "The Day My God Died," followed by a Q/A session with Ms. Koirala about sex trafficking. Robin Williams and Winnona Ryder narrate the documentary. The other event will take place on the same evening from 8-10 PM at Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica, 1260 18th St Santa Monica, CA 90404. Again, it will be a film show followed by Q/A with Ms. Koirala.

Friends of Maiti Nepal (www.friendsofmaitinepal.org) a non-profit chapter and extension of Maiti Nepal based in Massachusetts--is helping to put this event together. Brigitte Cazalis-Collins, Director of this chapter, will be accompanying Ms. Koirala in her Los Angeles visit. Friends of Maiti Nepal is looking for help from FON-LA in raising awareness of the tragedy of sex trafficking of young children and women, and to discuss our efforts. As a part of this collaboration, they are authorizing FON to help promote the above documentary and its screening in our Nepali community in the near future. We will keep you posted.

Hope you can attend one of the events and show your support for this great cause. 

Thank you,
FON Board 

FON e-news letter:
(Posted Aug 8, 2008)

Please click here to view FON e-news letter.

FON Nepal Projects Fund update
(Posted Aug 18, 2007)

FON is releasing $3500.00 to the Nepal Projects Fund and will be funding $200 - $1000.00 to charitable projects focusing on education, health services, development work etc in Nepal.

If you are interested in receiving funding, please mail applications to FON's mailing address or email to avishrestha@msn.com; pandeydeven@yahoo.com or sherbkarki@yahoo.com. Please click here to download application form. 

Also please mail checks to FON's mailing address if you would like to contribute to any particular project of interest in Nepal or to the Nepal Projects Fund in General.

FON Community Help Fund update
(Posted Aug 18, 2007)

The FON annual picnic successfully raised $620.00 for the FON Community Help Fund and established to provide financial support during emergencies in the Southland Nepalese Community. Thanks to Kanhaiya & Rohin Kayastha, Rajendra & Timila Kansak, Brad & Lata Kadel, Sher & Binita Karki, Anil & Anita Nepal, Sarba Sakya, Durgesh & Nita Regmi, Upendra & Pooja Joshi, Kavin & Binu Aryal, Anul & Anju Thapa,

Premu & Sabina Rana, Urmila Kumar Panjiyar for their contribution to the Fund.

As you may be aware, this fund was created in 2006 and a $1000.00 contribution was made to Bhuwani during an emergency situation. If you are interested to contribute to this fund, please send check to FON's mailing address and specify Community Help Fund.

Update on the FON-LA Nepal Project Fund:
(Posted Dec 11, 2007; Updated Dec 22,2008)

Friends of Nepal- Los Angeles has made the following contribution from the Nepal Projects Fund to support charitable organizations in Nepal.
 
$1000 to Shramik Bal Bigyan School, Lalitpur.
                 Please click here to view Thank you letter
$1000 to Bal Mandir (Nepal Children's organization), Kathmandu (www.nconepal.org) 
                 Please click here to view Thank You letter
$700 to Center for Molecular Dynamics (www.cmdn.org.np)                                  
$300 to Mahabir Pun's Nepal Wirelss Project (www.nepalwireless.net)    
 
Any additional contribution to the above projects or past projects supported by FON-LA can be mailed to the Friends of Nepal mailing address and will be greatly appreciated.

(Updated Feb 14, 2008)
As many of you know, Friends of Nepal - Los Angeles has created NEPAL PROJECT FUNDS with $5000 and will be funding $500 - $1000 to charitable projects that are in line with FON's vision - i.e., focusing on education, health services, and development work in Nepal.We are proud to share with you that FON contributed a sum of $5,200 to the following projects in December '07 as part of this project.

$1000 to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. Please click here to view Receipt 
$1000 to Nepal Red Cross. Please click here to view Receipt
$1000 - Shree Jyoti Bhawan Primary School, Armala (near Pokhara) 
                 Please click here for more info on this project
$1000 - Nepal Orthaepedic Hospital (www.noh.org.np), Jorpati, Kathmandu. 
                 Please click here to view Thank you letter 
                 A free health camp was organized in the first week of December. 
                 Please click here to view Free Health Camp pictures
$300 -  Majendra Memorial Scholarship Fund, Los Angeles
$600 -  Benjamin Esther Trust 
$200 -  Help Nepal e-Library Project

These individual organizations are grateful for the generosity shown by the Southern California Nepali Community. Special thanks to those who contributed to our recent call for flood relief. Together, with your help, we will continue to build a stronger Nepali community and continue raising money in the coming days to support various other charitable causes. If you would like to make further contributions to any of the above projects or FON community Help fund, please send check to FON's mailing address. 

Himalayan Festival by PAM- on the website  
(Posted September 1, 2008)

Dear Friends of Nepal,

Pacific Asia Museum (PAM) is hosting Himalayan Festival on Sunday, September 28. You may remember Friends of Nepal (FON) had jointly organized events in the past with PAM.

PAM is expecting approximately 2,500 people to attend, based on previous events. There will be a stage with music, song & dance from the Tibetan, Nepali, Indian, Bhutanese & Pakistani cultures. There will be approximately 20 vendor booths selling arts, crafts & food from various cultures. They are also looking for some Nepali vendors. Please click here to download application if you are interested. Event will begin at 11 a.m. and ends approx. 4 p.m. The museum is located at Pacific Asia Museum 46 N. Los Robles Avenue Pasadena CA 91101.

The Curator of Education from PAM- Amelia Chapman has requested us to circulate the event info to our Nepali community. Hope you can take part in this special event and support PAM.

Regards,
Mohan Sharma, Secretary
Friends of Nepal- Los Angeles

Nepali Women’s Global Network - ESSAY CONTEST:
(Posted Jan 26, 2008)

Friends of Nepal like to inform it's members about the announcement from the Nepali Women’s Global Network (NWGN) that they are now accepting submissions for their first annual essay contest. Winners will each receive a cash award of $500 to be put toward their tuition and/or the expenses associated with their first year at college. Please see click here for details.

Update on 2007 New Year's Eve Celebration:
(Posted Dec 11, 2007)

FON-LA NEPAL PROJECT FUND 
(Posted Sep 18, 2007)

Friends of Nepal - Los Angeles has created NEPAL PROJECT FUNDS with $5000.00 and will be funding $500 - $1000.00 to charitable projects focusing on education, health services, development work etc in Nepal.

 Please mail applications to FON's mailing address or email to avishrestha@msn.com; pandeydeven@yahoo.com or sanscript@earthlink.net. Please click here to download application form.

Flood Relief Fund Raiser Announcement 
(Posted Aug 28, 2007)

Dear Friends of Nepal:
Friends of Nepal-Los Angeles is seeking contributions for Flood Relief efforts in Nepal.  The recent Monsoon Floods in Nepal have affected more than a quarter million people in 47 of Nepal's 75 districts leaving several thousand families homeless and killing more than 400 people. Please help!

 FON- LA will match all contributions received (upto $2500.00) for the relief efforts. We are looking to raise at least $5000.00. The funds will be sent to the Nepal Red Cross Society and/or the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund in Nepal.

Please click here to donate online using Paypal

Or 

Please send Check to the following address: 
Make Check Payable to: Friends of Nepal-Los Angeles
Mailing address:
3500 Overland Avenue #110-51
Los Angeles, CA 90034
www.fon-la.org

 All contributions are tax deductible.
Thank you for your continued support.
Friends of Nepal Board of Directors

Buddhist Ballet in LA
(Posted Sep 18, 2007)

On Oct 7, 2007 at 3:00 pm, at the wilshire christian church, Tara Gurung Black and friends will be performing a nepalese buddhist ballet 'Chandelika'. This is a benefiit performance and all funds will be donated for rebuilding school in Nepal. Please see Flyer for more details.

TASC invites you to His Holiness Gold Medal Celebration in Los Angeles 
(Posted Sep 18, 2007)

The Congressional Gold Medal will be awarded to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, which is the highest expression of national appreciation, in recognition for his exceptional service. To honor this prestigious achievement, Tibetan Association of Southern California would like to invite you to come celebrate this joyous moment. We will also be raising funds by donation for Tibetan Government in Exile on this day. Please see Flyer for more details. 

Location: Covenant Presbyterian Church
6323 West 8th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Date & Time: October 20, 2007. 5 pm to 10 pm

Please contact TASC Board Members for any questions:
Namgyal Kyulo: 310-895-3529, Nono: 562-243-6228, Sherap: 818-300-5032, Tenzin Dakpa: 310-802-9360, Tenzin Dolkar:310-923-5758, Pema Gyalpo: 714-457-1964,Tenzing Tersey: 310-570-0590 

Historic 25th anniversary Association of Nepalis in Americas (ANA) silver jubilee convention to be held in LA

"If there is one place you are planning to visit in 2007, make that LA. Do not miss

the biggest convention ever to be held outside of Nepal. Be a part of the Nepali history."

The historic 2007 ANA 25th convention will be held in Los Angeles from Fri June 29 to Sun July 1. Come to beautiful, sunny Southern California for the convention's informative sessions, cultural program, 25th ANA open sports competitions and much, much more -- and stay to enjoy all of southern California's attractions such as world famous beautiful beaches like Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice, and Newport Beach; theme parks like Disneyland and Universal Studio; Hollywood; Beverly Hills; and notable museums to name a few. Come to have fun but also to make positive change in our communities and beyond. This convention promises to reach out to a wide audience and aims to bring together the Nepalese Diaspora and Americans alike. 

TASC presents Pasang Dolma in Concert -June 23, Sat 5pm - the finest Tibetan Woman Singer in EXILE

About the Singer: Pasang Dolma is arguably the best Tibetan female singer in exile. She can also sing bonus Hindi and Nepali songs at the concert. She is on a US Tour and has already performed in NYC, Portland, Madison, Minneapolis, Colorado.  Click here for more information

New Year's greetings from the FON Board of Directors/2006 New Year's eve Celebration pictures:
(Posted Jan 11, 2007)

LA convention theme announcement/Gen. meeting date and venue
(Posted Sep 6, 2006)

Thanks to all the participants for taking part in the 25th Anniversary ANA convention theme contest. We  received a lot of entries. They all were good and there could not have been one winner. We ended up taking   ideas from various themes and combined them to come up with a unique one. Are you ready to hear it? Here  it is."One Love, One Heart...Moving Forward Joining Hands" Celebrating 25th Anniversary ANA convention,  LA-2007. Read on... 

Announcing the ANA-LA convention chairbody/call for committees' coordinators
(Posted Aug 29, 2006)

To make our 2007 LA convention a successful, fun and memorable event, we have started the process  of setting up the convention organization. The FON- LA Board of Directors after consultation with many of the individuals who are taking an active role has nominated the following individuals for the various positions. Read on... 

Miscellaneous

List of Donors

Establishment of the FON Community Help Fund:
(Posted Oct 13, 2006)

From our experience of helping with Bhuwani, we can take the lesson that emergencies which we could help out with monetarily happen from time to time. With this in mind, FON has established a permanent fund for crises in our Southland Nepalese community.This waysome monetary support could be made available to the needy person(s) immediately depending upon the crisis rather than taking a few more days to collect the fund.Please support us in this effort by making contribution to this communityfund whenever and whatever you can. Checks can be mailed to the FON's official address listed on this site.

WHITE HOUSE INTERNSHIPS for Nepalese American
(Posted Aug 18, 2006)

Friends of Nepal- LA (FON) has received this announcement from  Jimmy D. Lee. Mr. Lee serves  on the President's Advisory commission and was appointed by President George W. Bush as  Executive Director of  the White House Initiative on Asian Americans. Read on...