The Unatti Foundation

Mission Statement

The Unatti Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to provide food, shelter and education for the multitude of orphaned and underprivileged children of Nepal. The Unatti Foundation combines a three-pronged approach to its mission of providing opportunity for the underprivileged and underserved in Nepal. Our programs focusing on Education, Self-Sufficiency, and Community Outreach address poverty in children from multiple angles.

Education

The Unatti Foundation achieves its mission by funding educational programs in Bhaktapur that address issues of poverty from multiple angles. We operate a housing facility in the heart of Bhaktapur that cares for 17 girls with the support of 3 house mothers. They come from many different cities and backgrounds, ranging in age from 3-18 years old. With our support and funding, they attend the best schools in the city and receive 24-hour care. The Unatti Foundation funds scholarships for four other underprivileged children in Nepal.

Self Sufficiency

In addition, the Unatti Foundation has developed programs to also benefit the entire community of Bhaktapur. Its handicraft business employs women in local businesses to create products sold in the United States. As we train more women to work with us, we will create a self-sufficient handicrafts program that will fund the Unatti Foundation for years to come. From a region of the world rich in resources and local culture, we bring to the United States the beautiful yak wook, paper craft, jewelry, and clothing of the Far East. All proceeds from the sale of Unatti products are funneled directly back into the organization’s operations, funding the employment of teachers and the educations of our girls.

Community Outreach

The Unatti Arts and Music Center provides after-school programs in visual and performing arts. Through artistic exploration, children who witness the extreme poverty and loss prevalent in Nepal have the opportunity to discover a positive outlet for their emotions. The arts offer not only the forum for students to share their thoughts and feelings through a common medium, but also an avenue for which to cope with the trauma and hardships they must face in a poverty stricken environment. Where a family of five to seven people often must share one room without running water or electricity, crayons and musical instruments are a luxury. The visual arts and music would allow these children to channel the burdens of their past into original works of art—cultivating the self worth they need for a positive future. During the day, the Unatti Arts and Music Center offers English and Nepali literacy classes to adult women in Bhaktapur.