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
on-site trips for the students of the Châtaigneraie Campus. I then decided to set up a charitable association in Switzerland to support the center.
This is an incredible journey of sharing between the students and the Sagarmatha family. The solidarity between friends and sponsors are a constant source of reflection on our world and it motivates us in our commitment to our work in Nepal.
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,
and simplicity in the approach taken by the people involved in this wonderful cause. This first impression was reconfirmed during my visit to Nepal in April 2021, which allowed me to spend time getting to know these kids who all have incredible stories and who seem truly grateful to be part of this ‘family’. Aside from it being a very enriching experience both from a cultural and human point of view, it has been truly eye opening to realize the importance of some basic needs that we as Europeans take for granted, such as the right to education and social acceptance. I left Kathmandu feeling that although there is so much more to be done in the country, providing a home to these children where they have a chance to grow up in a healthy environment and go to school, is a great place to start making a difference.
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
to fundraise for them and enable this home for children and teenagers to continue its work.
The richness of the relationships that we have with those on-site convinced me of the usefulness of collecting funds. Thanks to our efforts, almost 100% of the funds we collect go to the centers. It’s a useful and efficient way to help out.
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.
This project, which at first was only an imprecise desire, really took shape after a phone call with the president of the Swiss Sagarmatha Organization to discuss the possibility of a collaboration and a trip to Nepal. Based on the positive experiences of the International School’s trips, we received the agreement of the Sagarmatha committee and our project was able to get off the ground. Friendly supported and advised by Olivier and Catherine Revaz, as well as by Babu, our local contact, we flew to Kathmandu in October 2017 with 19 teenagers. There we met the children and the staff of the Sagarmatha Center. A lot of love and joy was shared with them during the two weeks of the trip!
Tara Revaz
I was lucky enough to discover Nepal when I was very young on a trip with my parents. Based in Founex, the Swiss Sagarmatha Organisation has always aimed to work on a ‘human scale’,
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.
These children have experienced difficult living conditions, but the welcome they receive at the center is filled with love and kindness. Providing them with a family structure with an education and a home allows them to flourish. This place of welcome touched my heart so much that I have since accepted to become a member of the committee of the Swiss Sagarmatha Organization.
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,
father and son along with the others who run the place, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles (you, us), all driven by the same energy, wanting to bring love, support and the necessary structure for the development of the children and help them achieve the independance and self-sufficiency adulthood expects of them.
My role as aunt has evolved to become one of sponsor of young Dolma, who arrived in April 2014. Is it not a wonderful coincidence to later discover we were both born on the same day? But you know, all the children of Sagarmatha are in a way our children – an indestructible bond has been created, a bond made of love, care and concern for them.
For me, getting involved in Sagarmatha, is making a committment to what is good in life, what is grand and generous, for us and for others. This experience enables us to actively participate in slowly changing the course of life and bring a wonderful human touch, with joy and happiness to all those who participate in it. It is a joyous experience!
I can only urge you to take part in this enriching experience, as much for you as for others.
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.