Namaste
We are writing to let you know that we have made the difficult decision to close the charity. Since 2013, we have worked alongside disabled people in Nepal to improve living conditions and life opportunities and - thanks to your help - we have managed to support positive change.
FCN started out when, during a prolonged volunteering trip, we found that residents in a disabled care home were living in damp, unhygienic conditions. Their building was in a state of disrepair and in the monsoon season rain poured into the bedrooms through the ceiling. We set up a simple fundraiser to build a new roof on the care home and due to overwhelming support the project was completed.
In the process of raising the funds we registered as a charity and began to support other projects organised by the disabled community, and over the last 8 years we have supported - among others - the opening of an independent living hostel for students with spinal cord injury; installation of fully wheelchair accessible bathrooms; new solar energy and hot water systems; laptops and IT equipment for employment; and monthly fruit and food supplements to improve health and wellbeing.
Over time the community that we have worked with has expanded with new organisations and support structures, and conditions have gradually improved. Crucially, the disabled community have taken a lead in sustainable projects, including producing and selling their own jewellery, growing their own food, and creating innovative solutions so that disabled students can access education and suitable housing. It has been inspiring to see the way the community has led the change.
We feel that we have fulfilled our initial aim of supporting the community to improve their living circumstances, and with support of other organisations they will continue to strive and improve. Our remaining charity funds will go directly to the local disabled community, and thanks to your support, will fund supplementary fruit and egg supplements for the foreseeable future. We have decided to close the charity but this does not end our relationship and close ties to the community in Nepal and we will always stand as their allies.
Thanks for all your support over this journey,
FCN