"If you have hope higher than the mountains, you will always be successful."

by Bruce Keenan, Co-Founder - Himalayan Children's Charities

As a self described math guy, I rarely share personal reflections on social media platforms like LinkedIn. But as the whole world pivots in these uncertain times, I recognize how much we all need to step outside our comfort zones to shed light on the people and causes we support. By sharing my giving story, I hope you will be inspired to learn more about the charity I started over 20 years ago and the amazing Nepali children we support. 

My first trip to Nepal was built around a trekking expedition - the motivation for so many people who travel to this region of the world. I recently looked through photographs from that visit, and I recalled when my math brain stopped in its tracks and my heart took over. During the trek, I saw firsthand just how vulnerable many Nepali children are. In a country plagued by extreme poverty, many children are abandoned or orphaned with little care and limited access to education.

HCC Co-Founder, Bruce Keenan, first meeting sisters Chet & Nari in 1999

The beauty of the Nepali people and the Himalayas are inextricably linked. I fell in love with both and I knew that this first trip was going to be one of many. I also knew I wanted to do more, wanted to help, and I decided to focus my resources on helping children in need.

Almost 80% of students leave the education system before completing schooling at the secondary level, and it is estimated that around 2 million school-age children across Nepal are not in school at all. Education is the key, and we knew we could use it to help open a world of possibility and change the lives of children who needed it most. 

My wife Susan and I began our philanthropic journey by sponsoring two orphaned sisters to attend school. Seeing them blossom ultimately set us on a course to launch Himalayan Children's Charities (HCC) in 2000. Still going strong 20 years later, HCC provides quality education, nurturing care, and innovative mentorship to orphaned and abandoned children across Nepal. HCC has now directly supported the education of over 200 remarkable students, and has provided outreach services to an additional 10,000 children and rural communities around Nepal. 

The two sisters mentioned above, are today the grown women in the photo below. They have completed HCC’s Higher Education Program, both with Bachelor degrees, and now use their unique experience to help their communities and uplift others. We yearn to have more children experience what they have - the magnificence of their hopes and dreams personified - fully invested and shaping the future of their country.  

Left and bottom right- HCC Co-Founder - Bruce Keenan with sisters Chet & Nari in 1999 and top right - Chet & Nari as successful university graduates

For as little as $220 per month - you can support a student in our Higher Education Program for a whole year with tuition, room, board, and our full range of mentorship programs. The same type of support in the United States would take at least 10 times as much and probably more. Your dollars have a unique ability in Nepal to transform a life with a relatively small investment. It's something to consider when many philanthropic donations have been reduced due to an economy in turmoil.

Please reach out if you are interested in learning more about what we do and how we work to elevate education and human potential to change lives.  

Let's take our collective generosity and inspire children to bloom in this spectacular region of the world - helping hearts soar as high as the peaks so many set out to climb. 

For more information, please visit hccnepal.org

-- quote above by HCC student - Koshish --