Dr. Usha Maharjan Wall gave up her job as a doctor and hospital administrator to found and support Eternal Hope International. With the assistance of charity-minded individuals and organizations, Usha devotes her full energy to EHI.
EHI works with the poorest of the poor. Known as the Dalit class or "untouchables", these children living in the slums of Chitwan, Nepal, are bright, beautiful and full of positivity. They can see the value of education as the way to break out of poverty, but many are not given the opportunity. Most pick through garbage, selling whatever they can find and are locked into a life of poverty. Poor, hungry and uneducated, they are easy prey for traffickers and abusers. Eternal Hope International works with these families to help parents make the sacrifices necessary to keep children inside the EHI sponsored school program and off the streets.
EHI Academy teachers are strong advocates for the children when they enter the education system. Uniforms, resources, mentoring, as well as health and nutritional supplementation are provided by EHI.
+ N A M A S T E +
HOW YOUR HAIRCUTS AND DONATIONS HELP
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Thanks to one of our clients donating $100, ten needy families in the Rangchurang mountain village of Nepal received heavy, warm quilts this winter.
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Benchmark is proud to be sponsoring literacy and skill training to mothers in the mountain village of Supar, Nepal. Not only are they learning reading and writing, but also learning how to sew! Another donor provided many sewing machines to their program.
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THE EVENT
29029 EVERESTING is unlike other challenges. It is you against you, hiking the equivalent elevation of Mt. Everest in a 36-hour window. It breaks down like this: Hike up the mountain, ride the gondola down, repeat until you’ve climbed 29,029 feet at Snowbasin Resort, near Ogden, Utah. Each Ascent is 2.3 miles and 2310 vertical feet. 13 ascents and 29 miles are needed to complete the challenge.
THE FUNDRAISER
Early in my training, I recalled a conversation with Usha, founder of Eternal Hope International. She expressed to me her dream of building a job skills training center for graduating students to advance their training in several occupations. I remember thinking, "I am climbing nearly 30,000 feet. Why not raise $30,000 to help fund the job skills training center?" It just made sense. My confidence soared thinking I could raise this money. Not because I am seasoned in fundraising, but because the cause is so great and I truly believed it would be achieved. My excitement grew and I began putting together the fundraising platform, writing the message and designing the sponsorship deck. In late May, the fundraising site was launched. This is when the real work began!
POTENTIAL
My mantra is “Exceed Perceived Potential”. Seeing anyone dig deep and exceed their own perceived potential makes my soul smile. There is untapped potential in all of us. I believe that personal development is a right, a journey and one’s duty. Potential is realized through seeking wisdom, strength, experiences and resources while practicing daily self-discipline. Discipline reinforces habits and creates a positive rhythm. It allows us to discover and conquer new terrain that once seemed beyond our capabilities. At times, we may need someone who believes in our potential, who knows it is within us to rise above self-limiting beliefs or circumstances. Someone who will provide the right opportunity for us to shine our light and reach our true potential. That is what this project is all about.
THE NEWS STORY
Bringing awareness to the fundraiser was critical, so of course having the St. George News share the message was so helpful! The fundraiser did receive donations and further validated the project to companies considering sponsorship. Thank you to Jessi Bang for doing such a great job telling the story!
THE MATCH
This part of the story is profoundly cool. The efforts made by so many to share my story was making an enormous impact on the fundraiser. Then a recommendation was made to my sister-in-law that I reach out to doTerra’s Healing Hands department, as they have a match program for project-based fundraisers. I quickly emailed the contact and began the application process. 29029 was 11 days away. I awaited processing and approval. 3 days before the event, I received doTerra’s email saying they would match my fundraiser up to $15,000! We were going to meet our goal! My heart was and is full.
29029 EVERESTING
The 36-hour countdown began on Friday, Aug. 19 at 6:00am. The 250 + headlamps were not the only things glowing that morning on the steep hillside. The energy was buzzing and I was soaking it all in. The fundraiser was sitting just over $12,000 and I was going to hike my heart out and post videos along the way to bring in more donations!
THE FINISH
Throughout my training I had envisioned myself reaching the top for the 13th time, proudly holding up the Nepali flag. When the actual time came, I was overcome with emotion as I realized the magnitude of it all. The fundraising site received just over $19,000 by the time I finished climbing. With DoTerra’s $15,000 matching donation through the Healing Hands program, we raised $34,022! Tears of joy flooded my eyes as I felt nothing but love, gratitude and excitement. Words cannot adequately express my joy for the opportunities and growth about to come to eager families living in the slums in Nepal.
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In spring of 2022, Eternal Hope International used our 2021 contribution to purchase backpacks, notebooks, stationaries, dental and hand hygiene kits (with training), as well as sandals and snacks for 125 Students at the Chandeshwari National Basic School.
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After raising over $6000 for our fundraiser meant to supply schools and students with needed supplies, Nepal went under a second Covid lockdown that ended up lasting over 2 months. On July 1, 2021 after heavy rains, a flight cancellation and a 10-hour, 92 mile drive through flooded roads and navigating around landslides, Usha and Randall made it to Bharatpur and Chitwan. Their arrival brought much relief to these families as they had been restricted or greatly limited from working for the last 2 months. Usha and Randall worked with school teachers and EHI staff to provide each family with a 2 month supply of food. Their smiles and gratitude said it all.
Between the families fed in Kathmandu and those fed in Chitwan, our fundraiser helped feed over 400 families! I am astonished at how far the money goes and how much good was done. Again, I wish to express my deepest heartfelt thanks to all of you who have supported this fundraiser as well as Benchmark Barbershop. The impact of this experience has truly touched me and is touching so many who are in great need.
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With our donation of $418.00, EHI was able to provide the following for many of their students…
50 Menstruation Kits and Education
105 Toothbrushes
105 Toothpastes
105 Track Pants
105 Notebooks
105 Pairs of Sandals