Honoring Bishnu

Hundreds of friends, colleagues, and partners of CHOICE Humanitarian will gather in Salt Lake for the annual Gala on September 18th. One of the highlights will be naming Bishnu Adhikari as “2010 Humanitarian of the Year.”

In 1989 Bishnu returned home from Russia where he had earned a master’s degree in engineering. Back in his village, he watched as his then 60 year-old mother had to carry water from a well about one half mile away. At first, he offered to carry the water for her, but she refused. The irony of the situation wasn’t lost on him. That day, he promised her and himself that he would dedicate his life to helping to improve the quality of life for his family and for others in his country. Bishnu went on to build a pipe from that well to supply his village with water. He also earned a second master’s degree in international environmental policy. He has worked on development projects for The World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and USAID.

Eventually Bishnu discovered the work of CHOICE Humanitarian in Nepal and soon began volunteering while still working for USAID. In 2007, he joined CHOICE Humanitarian full-time as In-Country Director for Nepal. Bishnu has literally touched the lives of thousands of people, many of whom will never know his name. He provided the leadership necessary to bring the CHOICE Humanitarian model of sustainable development to 11 districts and 133 villages in Nepal. In large measure because of Bishnu’s efforts, 21 water projects, 33 schools, and 900 bio gas digestors have been completed. He was a driving force in raising over $4 million toward the building of a ‘green’ teaching hospital in Chitwan, Nepal.

Bishnu (right) getting his hands dirty along side the community.

Bishnu’s work has come to the attention of the highest levels of government in Nepal. In April 2010, Bishnu and other leadersfrom the Lamjung District were granted an audience with the President of Nepal, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav. The President was briefed about CHOICE Humanitarian’s efforts in rural communities including the importance of helping people implement initiatives envisioned and planned by local communities. President Yadav showed a special interest in the CHOICE Humanitarian model. He is keenly interested in the elimination of poverty in Nepal.

Bishnu’s greatest hope for the future? “That international aid will one day no longer be necessary, that local resources and leadership are fully utilized and villages become self-developing.” With a smile, he adds, “I hope one day to be out of a job!”

Please join us in celebrating a most deserving and remarkable man!

by Sharon Spaulding