February Update

Nepal, a country in chaos.

NepalÔø‡Ôø‡Ôø‡s King Gyanendra has sacked the government on Feb 1st, saying it had failed to tackle the Maoist rebel uprising. The KingÔø‡Ôø‡Ôø‡s action of taking direct control has led to terror and panic. All phone and internet lines are still down, in place is a media censorship for six months. International flights are now allowed to land, but this will crush what is left of an already devastated tourism industry. The King has said that elections will be held once the Maoist rebels are defeated, with no timeline given. India call the KingÔø‡Ôø‡Ôø‡s move a serious set back for democracy in Nepal and a cause of grave concern. Many, including India, feel this will only strengthen the Maoist rebels, since they control over half of the countryside. Human rights groups were concerned with the rebel conflict before this move by the King and now see the situation as dire. Human rights activists are being monitored and harassed. With little information getting out, the worst must be expected for the future. Our projects were stable and running well before the KingÔø‡Ôø‡Ôø‡s take over. It is very frustrating to not be able to communicate on a daily basis as I have grown accustom to. I had just booked my flight to arrive in Katmandu on May 17th, so no reason not to stay on schedule for the time being. It was three years ago that the board of directors at the dZi Foundation were growing uncomfortable with the continuing clash of Maoists and the Nepal Army. We decided to start projects in Ladakh and Sikkim so we would spread out our risk if Nepal were to completely collapse. Oh how I wish we were wrong about what we saw and felt. Unfortunately this confirms our suspicion that the country was and still is on a downward path. The dZi Foundation is deeply committed to Nepal and will continue to fully support all of our programs to help these peaceful people.

Sincerely, Executive Director, Jim Nowak

Sikkim Happiness Home, Gangtok Sikkim, India

Our efforts over the last eight years at The Friendship House in Kathmandu Nepal has allowed us to open this sister program. The Sikkim Happiness Home is located in Gangtok Sikkim the capitol of Sikkim, India. We provide education, medical and dental care as well as housing; everything for these girls who have fallen through the cracks of society. We started with nine girls and are adding four more girls in February 2005. We will continue to add four girls till we reach the house capacity of 21. We have a volunteer to teach English at the girls home in Sikkim for three months. Katie Blumenthal will be arriving in Sikkim on Feb 9th. We have an extra room at the home for her and she will sharing all of her meals with the girls. This is a wonderful experience for all involved. The girls bond with a big sister and they receive additional tutoring everyday after they come home from school. KatieÔø‡Ôø‡Ôø‡s focus will be to help the four new girls that we will accept into the home this spring. These new girls will most likely only speak Lepcha or Bhutia, Just like all of the other girls we have accepted they will have to learn English for school and to communicate in Gangtok where they live. If you are interested in sponsoring one of these young girls please e-mail me and I can explain what is involved.

MountainFilm on Tour / dZi Foundation Fundraisers

2 Nights of completely different films.

Ouray, Colorado

Friday and Saturday, March 18 & 19, at the Ouray Community Center. Doors open at 6 PM for Silent Auction, film starts at 7 PM. New Belgium beer will be provided. $10.00 at the door, in support of The dZi Foundation. (25% discount on rooms at The Ouray Victorian Inn, 970-325-7222)

Carbondale, Colorado

Friday, April 8th, at the CRMS Ôø‡Ôø‡Ôø‡The BarnÔø‡Ôø‡Ôø‡. Doors open at 6 PM for Silent Auction, presentation starts at 7 PM. $10.00 at the Door, in support of The dZi Foundation.

Telluride MountainFilm Festival

This spring , May 27-30, in Telluride Colorado. [MountainFilm website]

The dZi DVD

If you have never received a snail-mailing from us or recently moved, please send me your current address. Everyone on our mailing list will receive our brand new 13 Minute DVD, along with our new 2005 brochure, in early March. We need your correct address for you to stay connected with the work of The dZi Foundation.

The dZi/ Marmot Jacket

You can support the dZi Foundation by purchasing the dZi/ Marmot DriClime Jacket. We have menÔø‡Ôø‡Ôø‡s and womenÔø‡Ôø‡Ôø‡s sizes for $150.00. These jackets have been donated by Marmot, 100% of the proceeds go to The dZi Foundation. You can go to the 'Donate' button on this page or E-mail me; you will be receiving an amazingly functional jacket while supporting our wonderful work at the same time.