Author: dolma_admin

Welcoming David Stanley BEM to the Dolma Foundation Board of Trustees

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Dolma Foundation is deeply honoured to welcome David Stanley BEM to its Board of Trustees. Founder of The Music Man Project UK, David has dedicated his life to empowering people with learning disabilities through music — giving them not only a voice but a stage to shine upon.

In Kathmandu, he led his students in a moving performance at The British School, reminding everyone that ability is not about limits, but about opportunity. From the London Palladium to the Royal Albert Hall, his work has transformed hundreds of lives, proving that music can bridge differences and celebrate every individual’s unique potential.

Now, David brings that same passion and purpose to Dolma Foundation. His commitment to inclusion and empowerment echoes deeply with our mission, and we are proud to have him by our side as we continue to create opportunities that change lives.

Classrooms Reopen in Dhunche

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When the school gates finally opened, life returned with them. After long months of lockdown, the youngest students of Highland School in Dhunche ran back into their classrooms — eyes bright, arms open, and hearts full of excitement.

Each morning now begins with music, gentle exercise, and laughter echoing through the hills. What was once still and silent is alive again with movement, friendship, and the energy of children rediscovering the joy of learning together.

These simple, beautiful moments remind us what education truly means — not just books and lessons, but belonging, connection, and the freedom to dream in a place that feels like home.

Learning Against All Odds: How Education Continued Through Lockdown

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When the world went quiet and schools closed their doors, education could have easily come to a halt. But for Dolma Foundation students, the will to learn refused to fade. Together with Highland Boarding School, we found new ways to reach every child — delivering books by hand, broadcasting lessons on local radio and television, and turning isolation into innovation.

Even as roads emptied and uncertainty grew, the spirit of learning remained unbroken. Children studied from home, families listened in, and teachers became voices of reassurance across the airwaves.

To our sponsors and friends who stood by us during these difficult times, thank you. Your support carried more than lessons — it carried connection, courage, and hope. And when the world felt still, it reminded every child that their dreams were still moving forward.

Seven Students Shine in SEE 2020

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When the world stood still, they kept going. Amid lockdowns, fear, and the uncertainty that touched every home, seven Dolma Foundation students held tight to their dreams — and emerged stronger.

We proudly celebrate Badal Tamang, Tenzin Kunga Lama, Salon Ghale, Seema Gurung, Sushmita Gurung, Chandani Tamang, and Manisha Tamang, who passed Nepal’s Grade 10 SEE board exams with outstanding results. Their achievement is more than academic success; it is a story of perseverance, self-belief, and quiet strength.

Through long months of isolation, they studied by candlelight, shared borrowed notes, and held on to hope when routine and normalcy disappeared. Each one of them proved that true education is not just about books — it’s about courage, discipline, and heart.

Even in the darkest of times, these seven young achievers showed what it means to rise. Their journey lights the way forward — and the future is lucky to have them.

Shiva’s Journey Back to Learning

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Shiva was just ten when his world began to fade. Once a bright student with a quiet love for learning, he started losing sight in his left eye. Months of hospital visits brought flickers of hope, but one day, everything went dark. His family was devastated. The doctor who had promised help was gone, and there was no one left to turn to.

For five long years, Shiva stayed home — a child with potential paused by circumstance. Yet deep inside, something resilient refused to give up. With courage and determination, he learned Braille and returned to school, where his love for learning found new light. Today, he is in Grade 7, proudly scoring 85 percent in his exams.

Recently, Shiva met his sponsor, the Lord Mayor of London, Peter Estlin, along with the British Ambassador and Nepal’s Central Bank Governor. Surrounded by those who believed in him, Shiva’s smile said more than words ever could — it was the light of possibility, shining brighter than ever.

Navjyoti Children Shine on Stage

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At The British School in Kathmandu, an audience of 250 people witnessed something extraordinary. Children from the Navjyoti Centre — many living with Down syndrome, autism, and other learning differences — took the stage for a musical concert that transcended every expectation. With just six hours of practice, they played with joy, courage, and pride, turning music into magic.
The evening opened with words that set the tone. David Stanley, founder of The Musicman Project, reminded everyone, “Tonight the performers are not special needs children. They are musicians.” And they truly were.
Dolma Foundation proudly supported and hosted this remarkable event, joined by British Ambassador H.E. Richard Morris and dignitaries from Nepal. The night was filled with applause, emotion, and unity — a celebration of inclusion and the boundless potential of every child.
As the concert drew to a close, the instruments brought from the UK were gifted to the young performers, ensuring that their music would continue long after the final note. That evening, every melody carried a message: that ability has no boundaries, and that joy, when shared, can change the way the world listens.

Raman Karki Brings Smiles to Hundreds in Bangladesh

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In Bangladesh, more than 400 students received free dental care at a camp organised by the Nepalese Dentist Association — and at the heart of it all stood Raman Karki, once a Dolma Foundation student, now Vice President of the Association.

Raman led the entire dental camp with quiet confidence and deep compassion, ensuring that every child received the care they needed. His steady hands and humble leadership reflected not just medical skill, but the empathy that has defined his journey from the very beginning.

What began as a dream in a small village in rural Nepal is now shaping lives far beyond its borders. Raman’s story is a living testament to how opportunity, when nurtured with hard work and heart, can ripple outward to touch countless others.

We are endlessly proud to see him serve, lead, and give back — a reminder that the greatest success stories are those that come full circle.

Prasai Wins Gold in National Para Judo

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Prasai Rumba, one of Dolma Foundation’s visually impaired students, has made history. Competing in Nepal’s first National Para Judo Tournament, he claimed gold in the men’s U-45 kg category — a victory that stands as much for courage as for skill.

Organised by the Nepal Deaf and Blind Para Judo Association with support from the National Sports Council, the event brought together 22 athletes united by determination. As Prasai received his medal from NSC Member Secretary Keshav Kumar Bista and Mayor Ramesh Maharjan, the applause carried more than celebration — it carried admiration for a young man who refused to be defined by limits.

In a room full of competitors, Prasai stood tallest — not because he could see, but because he believed. His strength reminds us that the brightest victories often come from those who face the darkest challenges, and that true vision lies in the heart.

A Clearer Vision for the Future: Eye Camp at Highland School

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In the quiet hills of Dhunche, the students of Highland School lined up not for their usual lessons, but for something just as life-changing — care. In partnership with Tilganga Eye Centre, Dolma Foundation organised a free Eye Check-up Camp to ensure that every child could see the world, and their future, more clearly.

For many of these children, it was their first-ever eye examination. The camp offered screenings, guidance, and treatment recommendations for those in need — simple steps that can make a profound difference in how a child learns, plays, and dreams.

What began as a small initiative became a powerful reminder: good vision opens doors to opportunity. Through compassionate partnerships and community care, Dolma Foundation continues to help children see not just with their eyes, but with hope.

Fifteen Years of Hope

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This year marked fifteen years of Dolma Foundation walking hand in hand with the children of Nepal — fifteen years of dreams taking shape, of resilience transforming into achievement. And what a year it has been. Every single student under our care passed their school year, growing not only in knowledge but in confidence and possibility.

From 110 children studying at Highland Boarding School in the mountains of Rasuwa to a handful continuing their education in Kathmandu, and one pursuing Dental Science in Bangladesh, each journey fills us with immense pride. Many of these children are differently able; all of them are full of extraordinary potential. Without Dolma Foundation, their paths might have looked very different.

Yet alongside our joy lies a reminder of the work still to be done. Around 30 children lost their sponsors this year, and their education now depends on renewed support. We invite you to stand with us — to ensure that no child’s future is left uncertain, and that every young dream continues to move forward, one step at a time.