Komal is closer to Culinary Academy!!

Komal Kuswar is a 17 year old from Nepal, one of the poorest countries in Asia. He and his siblings have been raised by parents who are both disabled due to leprosy (his father Krishna is wheelchair bound). Komal grew up in a single 10ft by 10ft room with a makeshift kitchen and one bed, and would often choose to sleep on the roof or in the dark hallway. He lived through the ten-year civil war with the Maoists while continuing his education, and could be seen in his school uniform with a book bag walking to and from his local school.
On a mission trip with my church in 2010, I first met Komal and his family while volunteering at a free leprosy clinic in Kathmandu. He was a wild boy with a fire inside that no one could ignore, full of jokes and songs. Over the next two years we became close and followed his life, and last August we helped him come to the United States as a foreign exchange student for the 2012-13 school term! We were told that he was the first high school student from Nepal to do so.
Komal came to live with our family this past year, attending Maui High School as a junior, along with my son and two nieces. He played on the school soccer team and made great friends. Komal was also instrumental in helping us open a Food Pantry for the hungry and homeless in our local community. Once a week after school he voluntarily picked up food from the food bank and restocked the pantry, as well as helped deliver bread on food delivery days. Our island has been blessed by his giving heart and generous spirit.
Now to the reason for this letter: Komal is an amazing cook! During his time with us he was invited to tour University of Hawaii Maui College Culinary Academy, and that visit fueled his drive to become a chef. This past May he applied to UHMC, and was approved as an international student for the Culinary Degree (2-year program). He now has his Letter of Acceptance and everything necessary to get his F-1 student visa and be the first in his family to attend a University.
Komal's dream is to get his education as a chef and raise his family out of poverty. He has returned to Kathmandu for the summer and just succeeded in passing his GED test! Our wish is for him to return to us, and begin his college education this January 2014. My husband works in construction, and I am volunteer director of a local Food Pantry. With a daughter in college and a son in high school, we would so appreciate any help in covering Komal's international school fees, plus his visa, airline costs, and living expenses for the first year. All funds raised will be used for this purpose, and any extra will be put towards his second year.
We are a simple family with a heart for people, and we love Komal as one of our own children. Please help us bring Komal back to our home and give him the chance to become educated in what he loves, enabling him to provide a better life for himself and his Nepal family.

Mahalo ~ Dhanyabaad ~ Thank You!!