With the assistance of Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Martha Mummey,
BIJAM opened the first bus-park
drop-in center in Nepal. BIJAM is staffed by a group of committed, volunteer college-age students and
provides peer-education and outreach to prostitutes, drug-addicts and drug-users, truck-drivers, rickshaw-drivers, and
students. The success of their operations is widespread, and respected - their bus-park drop-in center served as the model
for other project throughout Nepal.
Robin
Tamang of "Robin n Looza" - the most popular rock band in Nepal
- has offered to play a benefit concert with his band in Birgunj in
support of the HIV/AIDS and drugs awareness projects operated by BIJAM, with the proceeds going
directly to support the drop-in center's yearly
operations. Their previous concert in Birgunj attracted nearly 8,000 youth,
each willing to pay a little more than 100 rupees.
With an initial investment of support needed to move the band and equipment
from Kathmandu to Birgunj, provide food and lodging, pay for a crew to
set up and break down the concert, and return to Kathmandu, a fairly
significant return can be expected.
The entirety of profits will be transferred directly to BIJAM for drop-in
center operations, and reports provided. With an initial support of 50,000
rupees ($685.00) for minimal logistic expenses as the band is playing for
free, a potential return of approximately 800,000 rupees ($10,960.00) can
be expected if similar numbers of attendees as the previous concert
achieved indicates.
This will make a significant impact on the operations and effectiveness of the
four drop-in centers in Birgunj.
The estimated budget needed to operate a single drop-in center for one year
is 150,000 rupees ($2,000), as the majority of BIJAM staff are volunteers.
This event is intended to become a yearly tradition in Birgunj, and after the
first year, will be completely locally-supported.
Return to First Quarter Projects page
Immediate. Direct. Effective.
Nepal Direct Effects.
