Who we are
Identity
The Swiss Organization Sagarmatha is a non-profit organization based in Switzerland.
Main objective
To finance the Sagarmatha (SASS) and Punarbal Plus centers in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Means of actions :
- Sponsoring of children
- Humanitarian trips (to accomplish specific projects)
- Financial support to the two local institutions (Sagarmatha Asahaya Sewa Sangh and Punarbal Plus) by means of fundraising in Switzerland.
Who we are ?
Identity
The Swiss Organization Sagarmatha is a non-profit organization based in Switzerland.
Main objective
To finance the Sagarmatha (SASS) and Punarbal Plus centers in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Means of action :
- Sponsoring of children
- Humanitarian trips (to accomplish specific projects)
- Financial support to the two local institutions (Sagarmatha Asahaya Sewa Sangh and Punarbal Plus) by means of fundraising in Switzerland.
Our Values
Transparency of our activities
Respect of the children being cared for by our project
A long-term commitment
In collaboration with the teams that manages the centers, we make sure that the children are taken care of in the best possible way. We strive to provide them with dignified living conditions and an environment in which they will strengthen their ability to learn. Once their compulsory studies are finished, we offer them a practical training.
Committee members
Olivier Revaz
Founding member, President
Since 2005, I have been involved in supporting this project. As head of the French department at the Geneva International School, I organized several
Sylvie Nahum
Founding member, Treasurer
I joined the Nepal mission in April 2010 after having financed the building of showers and toilets for the Children of Sagarmatha center.
Claire Blanchelande
My first contact with the Sagarmatha organization was through Catherine Revaz, committee member of the Swiss Organization Sagarmatha, and I was immediately impressed by the level of dedication, passion,
Catherine Christ Revaz
I went to Nepal for the first time in April 2012. It was a turning point for me. Meeting Phinzo, the Director, and his family and the orphanage children was fantastic. I then decided
Jean-Philippe Gay
I discovered Sagarmatha through my work. “Namaste” is the name given to the solidarity travel project set up with, and also for the young people of the Animation Centers of Aubonne, Etoy and Gimel.
Gilles Kessler
I have been supporting the Sagarmatha association since my stay in Nepal in 2018 organized by my uncle Olivier Revaz, who introduced me to this magnificent country.
Having never traveled to Asia, it was a great emotional shock for me.
Fabienne Vionnet
I went to Nepal in 2018 thanks to a friend, Diana, and in the company of Catherine and Olivier Revaz whom I was meeting for the first time. I found a family of about 50 children at the Sagarmatha center who were being raised by Phinzo and Beena.
In memory of
Cathy David-Raphoz
who passed away on 24 January 2019
50 children, abandoned due to the circumstances of their life, and later taken in to become a family with a mother,
Volunteering
Our heartfelt thanks go to :
- Anne Kerisel
- José Galera
- Sylvia Palivoda-Rodicio
If you have any skills that we could put to good use, we’d love to hear from you! Please contact us. We have several volunteers helping us out.
History
The Swiss organisation is now the main organisation that finances the centre with 80% of the annual budget. She is in constant contact with the home and on some occasions organizes trips to Sagarmatha for members of the Swiss committee, friends or sponsors.
Would you like to know more about life at the Sagarmatha home ? Discover our film.
A film describes these first years : watch it here !
2002
In 2002 and at the request of Assistance Médicale Toit du Monde (France), Phinzo and Beena Sherpa, a Nepalese couple living in Kathmandu took in some street children in their small apartment in Kathmandu. This was to mark the beginnings of the Children of Sagarmatha adventure.
2004
In 2004, a building was purchased (with private funds) near Bouddhanath to take in more children. Then in 2006, the first group of students from the Geneva International School visited the orphanage. Other further trips for students were organized (2006, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018).
2010
The Swiss Organization Sagarmatha was created on 10 December 2010 in Founex (VD) to find sponsors in Switzerland and to ensure the financial stability of the center.
2020
Since 2020, the Swiss Organization Sagarmatha has been supporting Punarbal Plus, a centre for children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Historique
The Swiss organisation is now the main organisation that finances the centre with 80% of the annual budget. She is in constant contact with the home and on some occasions organizes trips to Sagarmatha for members of the Swiss committee, friends or sponsors.
Discover our films :
2002
In 2002 and at the request of Assistance Médicale Toit du Monde (France), Phinzo and Beena Sherpa, a Nepalese couple living in Kathmandu took in some street children in their small apartment in Kathmandu. This was to mark the beginnings of the Children of Sagarmatha adventure.
2004
In 2004, a building was purchased (with private funds) near Bouddhanath to take in more children. Then in 2006, the first group of students from the Geneva International School visited the orphanage. Other further trips for students were organized (2006, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018).
2010
The Swiss Organization Sagarmatha was created on 10 December 2010 in Founex (VD) to find sponsors in Switzerland and to ensure the financial stability of the center.
2020
Since 2020, the Swiss Organization Sagarmatha has been supporting Punarbal Plus, a centre for children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Budget
We support the Sagarmatha centre since 2010 and the Punarbal centre since 2020.
The total budget of the two centres amounts to approximately CHF 100’000 per year.
Sponsorships, donations and collections constitute the totality of the contributions received by the Swiss Organization Sagarmatha.
As the amount of sponsorships doesn’t allow us to cover the total cost of taking care of the children – accommodation, school, food, supervision,… – we organize events, collections, etc.
Our association has very few administrative costs and no salaries, and donations go directly to the projects.