Dear Friends and Sponsors
Here we are, almost at the end of 2025, getting ready to celebrate the season with family and loved ones.
You will undoubtedly be aware of some of the disasters, natural and otherwise, that have happened to the people of Nepal, and against extraordinary odds, the resilience they have managed to bring to the problems.
Many remote communities have suffered this year from severe flooding, and there has also been civil unrest in the big cities, resulting in several deaths. Flooding has been a huge problem, as the farming families have no access to weather reports, but the Nepali resilience has shown itself yet again, with a small number of men and women setting up a radio broadcast, allowing access to changeable weather information in the Himalayan foothills and flood plains. (the BBC online service, Media Action, has great reports and news from Nepal – I highly recommend it).
Since the Pandemic, violence and discrimination against girls and women has risen, so we are especially proud of the strides, sponsorship and mentoring of young women, made by our trusted allies PAWA (Pan-Asian Women’s Association). Trustee June Corpuz has been instrumental in this introduction, and in maintaining lines of communication. I am delighted to tell you all that both girls they are sponsoring through further education, Priyanka at Law School and Manisha at Medical School, have been incredible; they are a credit to themselves and to their communities.
When I am asked why I continue to support JMB Education, I always reply “where else can I change a family’s future for so little?” Through your support and sponsorship, they can dream bigger dreams, and hope for bigger and brighter futures.
As well as your sponsorship, and closer to home, Anna Wirth (John Brown’s grand-daughter), has raised many thousands for Moran Memorial School situated in East Nepal, and Fiona Williams (John’s youngest daughter), did a 14-hour Triathlon of swimming, cycling, and ending with a marathon. She raised almost £5,000 which was split between Alzheimer’s Research, Cancer Research and, of course, JMB.
In closing, I cannot end this missive without mentioning the passing of John Brown, our founder, who died in February of this year. Because of John and his extraordinary spirit, thousands of Nepali children are living extraordinary lives.
He lived a life of service, and always extended the hand of opportunity wherever he went. He was a born communicator and knew that education, in its purest sense, could open up hearts, minds and the world.
I hope that it goes without saying, how much we appreciate your continued support, particularly in a time where every penny counts.
From all of us here in the JMB family, we wish you peace, safety, and love.
NAMASTE from all the trustees; Louise, Anna and Ben Wirth, Fiona Williams, June Corpuz, Russell Inman, and me, Diane Hickey.
