Introduction

The Swiss-Nepalese Society (SNS) is a non-political, non-profit organisation based in Switzerland.

Swiss aid workers who returned home after years of active work in Nepal founded SNS in 1971. Since then, a large number of people and institutions have joined SNS, which has about 340 members at present. Our members are motivated by a common interest in the social, political, cultural and economical development of Nepal and its friendly people.

Our goals

• To provide a platform for Nepalese and friends of Nepal in Switzerland;
• To furnish up-to-date information about Nepal;
• To support projects to help disadvantaged people in Nepal; and
• To cooperate with organizations pursuing similar goals.

Our activities in Switzerland

• Publication of the newsletter “Namaskar” three times a year;
• Organization of events to promote Nepalese culture in Switzerland;
• Procurement of funds for realization of projects in Nepal;
• Maintenance of a collection of cultural objects from Nepal at the Ethnological Museum in Zürich; and
• Maintenance of a collection of books on Nepal at the Central Library in Zürich.
  

Our projects in Nepal

We support suitable projects in Nepal, especially those proposed by Nepalese on their own initiative.An example is Sustha Manasthiti Bal Bidya Mandir, a school in Butwal for children who are mentally and in most cases also physically handicapped. The financial aid provided by SNS made it possible to construct a new school building, which was inaugurated in 2003. Our help played a crucial role in the establishment of a home visit program for mentally handicapped children who are unable to travel to attend the school.A second example is the financial support provided in 2005 by SNS for the reconstruction of the building of the Shree Krishna Primary School, in Phulmro, a remote village in the Lamjung district. In 2006, our Society provided additional donations to this school to construct a water supply system and toilet facilities, and also to purchase furniture.

Our representatives in Nepal

The Society is represented in Nepal by volunteers who

• ensure appropriate channelling of donated funds;
• monitor the progress of our projects in Nepal; and
• supply us information on rapidly changing socio-political situation in Nepal.