- M
- A
- K
Six Years of Support: Together, We’re Changing Lives
This is my 6th year raising funds to support Khushi and Viran’s education, and I’m incredibly grateful to all of you—whether you’ve been with us from the start or are joining us now. Your generosity has already made a huge difference. Together, we can ensure these two amazing siblings continue to have the opportunities they deserve.
About This Fundraiser
This fundraiser is dedicated to continuing the support of the education of two Nepalese siblings, 8-year-old Viran and 10-year-old Khushi. I know them through my dear friend Vishal, who became their foster parent after their father tragically passed away in an earthquake, and their mother abandoned them. Vishal's selflessness has given these children a safe and stable home, but their parents’ loss has put their education at risk. With your help, we can support their education and ensure they are able to attend school for the next two years.
Photos and Videos of Khushi & Viran
Khushi describing what she wants to be one day:
Viran describing what he wants to be one day:
Khushi and Viran going to school when I originally started this fundraiser:
Khushi and Viran when they were originally orphaned:
My Connection to Vishal: Viran & Khushi's Foster Parent
I first met Vishal back in February 2019 while traveling through Kathmandu, Nepal. He was extremely kind and humble. Spending time with Vishal also gave me a new understanding of gratefulness, a quality he constantly embodies despite the challenges he’s faced. My stay with his family helped me better understand their way of life and circumstances. Over the years, we’ve stayed in touch, and through your generosity and support, we’ve been able to help him and his family.
Me with Vishal and his family, as they welcomed me into their home
That same kindness and selflessness led Vishal to take on the responsibility of caring for Viran and Khushi; he is now their primary caregiver. As he explained, he couldn’t bear to see them become homeless. Khushi and Viran are now a part of Vishal’s family, but with two more mouths to feed, he has struggled to provide enough food for the family. In that struggle, affording their schooling has become a necessary afterthought.
In March 2020, as the COVID pandemic continued to pose challenges in India and around the world, Vishal became increasingly concerned about the lack of food and access to basic healthcare in Nepal. As a result, he decided to move his family—including Khushi and Viran—from Kathmandu, Nepal, to Punjab, India. Since then, Khushi and Viran have been in remote schooling thanks to the funds we raised in October 2019.
Vishal, Viran, and Khushi will be staying in Punjab for the foreseeable future.
Ensuring a Safe & Stable Education
For children in India, attending private school costs approximately $700 per year per child, which includes meals and books. This fundraiser aims to cover the next two years of schooling for Viran and Khushi, ensuring they receive a stable education and a better future.
You may be wondering:
“Aren’t there free public schools in India?”
Yes, there are free public schools in India. However, the Indian elementary school system differs from what we have in North America. In many cases, private school is the only safe and structured educational path that offers real opportunities for children like Viran and Khushi. The alternative would require them to walk 10 miles to school every day, exposing them to significant safety risks, including abduction and abuse. For many low-income families, the dangers outweigh the benefits, and they choose to keep their children at home instead.
Your support can help change that for Viran and Khushi.