November Update

Dear Friends of dZi,

I want to thank everyone who has supported our work this year. Your support is the backbone of our organization. In return, our commitment to you is to squeeze every dollar as far as it can go. A fine example of this is the money we spent on a water project for the Assam Lindsey School, with an enrollment of over 300 children. Not only did this provide clean drinking water for the children, but the community was also able to use the flush toilets that had sat unused for three years. Just below is the letter I received from the school's Head Mistress after the project was finished.

And as the cold weather arrives, we are bringing back the dZi-embroidered Marmot DriClime Jackets. If you don’t have one, now’s the time. See details further below.

Lastly, Garry Schalla, dZi Associate Director, is back from his trip to Asia. He tells a beautiful story about another college graduate from The Friendship House in Kathamndu named Preema. Scroll to the bottom to read more.

All the best, Jim Nowak
Executive Director, dZi Foundation

Attn: JIM NOWAK, Exec. Director,
DZi FOUNDATION

Dear Jim,

“This world is still under the Divine administration and in it there are people who, selflessly, care for the needy;” - this was how I felt when the water pipes you had promised were delivered to my school.

I have received 38 pipes and will start laying them immediately. I would not have been able to raise that amount of money, if I had to, for the pipes myself. And to be able to repay the value of your service is even unthinkable. But the value of your service would be realised each time a thirsty child operates the faucet for a quench. Every turn of the faucet, then, will be a prayer to God for your well being.

I, on behalf of all the beneficiaries of your benevolent deed, and from the depths of my heart – THANK YOU!

Yours truly,
Sunita Upreti
Head Mistress,
Govt. Sec. School,
Pabyuik, East Sikkim

Marmot DriClime jacket, embroidered with dZi logo, on sale!

Marmot Mountain Ltd. continues to support our work in many ways. Marmot has donated their award winning DriClime jackets for us to sell, with all proceeds going to the dZi Foundation. This jacket won the “Editors Choice” award from Outside Magazine last year. I have worn this exact model for many years and it is always the first jacket I reach for. It is amazingly versatile as wind protection, light and warm, and it also layers perfectly. These jackets are available for women in black and oceana/blue (see Kim Reynolds Co-founder of dZi at right), and for men we have Indigo blue and black. All jackets are beautifully embroidered with a red  “dZi Foundation” logo. We are asking $150.00; just mail in your check with sizing information and we will get it in the mail ASAP. Easier yet, you can click on “Donation” at our website, and charge it to your credit card (you will need to note that the donation is for a dZi Jacket and include your sizing and color choice). These jackets are available just in time for Christmas.

Another graduation!

Garry Schalla, dZi's Associate Director, writes of one the rich experiences from his recent trip:

My twenty minutes with Preema was entrancing!

Before me was a young woman who carried herself with poise and confidence. She spoke with elegant fluidity, graceful knowledge flowing from a smile that showed the pride of this day. This beaming student, on her college graduation day, grounded in her history and struggles, now excited about her coming role in Nepali society.

Preema was a child given many challenges. Taken to the United States as a house servant, then two years later given a plane ticket back to Nepal, on her own, at age 10. Navigating her way back to Nepal alone, she found herself at the girl’s home. Enter the dZi Foundation. We had just taken over the failing house and were in the process of moving the girls to a much better location and an all-Nepalese staff. She was a broken child; it was suggested that in the future she might make a good cook, but would probably go no further. She was one of the original 14 girls we took on as the first dZi Foundation project, The Friendship House.

With fierce determination at her studies, while way behind the other girls her age in school, she showed glimmers of brilliance. Fast forward to today. This young lady worked harder than most, finishing her education at Kathmandu’s finest College, Xavier (a Jesuit run facility), and passing with an 85% score on her final certificate exam. Preema has finished her internship, working with women in jail and prison, a calling she will continue following graduation day. Her degree in Social Work will help her make a difference and touch hundreds, if not thousands, of women who desperately need this help over their lifetimes.

Many times the dZi Board has debated the high cost of these girl's sponsorships. However, the results achieved by Basanti, Preema, Sharmila, Reena and Poonam reinforce the fact that huge dividends are being produced from the dollars invested. These educated women will help shape the future of Nepal.

“With privilege, comes responsibility” (the motto of the Friendship House); Preema is the  embodiment  of this statement. She has embraced responsibility, personally, civically, and socially, and stands as a pinnacle of all our hopes and dreams.