Soniya from US reaches Bhutanese refugee camps to celebrate her birthday

Kathmandu, Nov 28: Soniya Adhikari, a resident of Columbus, Ohio, USA, has extended a helping hand to senior citizens and students in Bhutanese refugee camps based in Beldangi, Jhapa, and Pathari, Morang.     

Soniya shared that she managed the funds for this philanthropic effort by saving from her tiffin budget, monetary offerings she received during festivals, and using birthday cash gifts. With her support, 400 blankets were provided to senior citizens in both camps. Additionally, students received educational materials, and single women were given clothes.     

She is currently in Nepal and said that she has been pursuing her dream of supporting the residents of refugee camps. The 12th grader traveled from the US to Nepal on a week-long leave to celebrate her 18th birthday by helping those in the camps. The assistance materials, worth Rs 1.4 million, were donated during her visit.     

Born in the Timai refugee camp in Jhapa, she moved to the US with her parents, Dilli Adhikari and Goma Adhikari, at the age of four under the Refugee Third Country Resettlement Programme.     

 According to journalist and social worker Chudamani Bhattarai, Soniya's father is the founder of the Intra National Welfare and Support Foundation of America, a non-profit organization dedicated to uniting Nepali people worldwide through cultural initiatives. Mero Voice Universe and Mero Dance Universe, the two reality shows have been implemented by the Foundation.     

The Foundation supports the refugee camps by providing Rs 5,000 monthly to senior citizens and the needy. It also covers the salaries of 30 teachers in the refugee camps in Jhapa and Morang.(RSS)