Dear friends of Oda Foundation,

If you’re reading this, chances are you already know the Oda Foundation or someone who worked there —and you know the kind of extraordinary people who make its work possible.

For those who served in Oda as fellows or volunteers, we carry with us a deep love for the small clinic and campus nestled in the Himalayas, where we learned, grew, and witnessed real impact. Among our colleagues and guides was Krishna Singh, the clinic’s steadfast manager, a quiet force of generosity, compassion, and resilience.

Krishna is from a village not far from Oda, and he spent 8 years serving his community through Oda’s mission. He cared for patients who walked hours to reach our doors. He sat with us around fires on cold nights. He made sure women, girl, and lower-caste community members were treated with dignity and given high quality care. He helped many of us navigate the challenges and opportunities of working in a place so different from home. And time and again, he showed up—not only for his people, but for us.

In February 2025, Krishna and his family were granted a U.S. Diversity Visa—an incredibly rare and life-changing opportunity. His family loves Oda and worked to make it better -- and yet, reality is that there are opportunities in the US that are still years or decades away in Western Nepal. He moved to rural Berlin, Wisconsin, with his wife and two young children (ages 6 years and 6 months), taking the chance of a lifetime.

Life in the US has been more difficult than they could have planned for. It initially seemed like a good situation, but with some shifting factors, Krishna -- the equivalent of a PA in Nepal -- has been working 60-hour weeks at a gas station, barely making ends meet, without a car and without Nepali community. He’s facing these challenges with no family members of his own in the states to support or guide him. Diapers, rent, food, phone bills —it adds up quickly. And like so many newcomers, he’s facing these challenges without the support many of us have had throughout our lives.

One of our board members, Sarah Helms, and her partner, Emiliano, have offered Krishna and his family a home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There, they’ll have stability—no rent, a free car, a school they can walk their children to, a supportive Nepali community—and the chance to pursue higher-paying work. But getting there requires support.

This is where we come in.

We’re reaching out to our Oda family—past volunteers, supporters, friends—asking you to help ease this transition for Krishna. Whether it’s $25 to cover a week’s worth of diapers, $50 for a tank of gas, or more to help with moving expenses or furnish their new home, every gift matters. Every dollar is a reminder that Krishna is not alone—that we remember his kindness, his care, and all he gave to us and others, and this is an opportunity to directly help an immigrant in our nation who needs it.

Let’s welcome Krishna to our side of the world with the same warmth he showed us in his.

With gratitude and love,

Anmol Shrestha +1 (714) [phone redacted]

Emily Friedman, +1 (312) [phone redacted]

Sarah Helms ‭+1 (770) [phone redacted]‬

And all of the past fellows and volunteers who are coordinating on Krishna's behalf.

If you have more questions about direct support or how to help, feel free to contact us!