Namaste Welfare e.V.

About us

The association "Buddha Memorial Welfare Trust" was founded on June 8th, 2002 by committed friends to help with donations and sponsorships in Nepal. The renaming as: "Namaste-Welfare" took place in 2014.

The purpose of the association is
• The support of needy people in Nepal, in particular the project "Buddha Memorial Children's Home", as well as related or resulting projects,
• The search for and placement of sponsors for the assumption of long-term direct and indirect child sponsorships,
• Fundraising independently of membership directly or through the organization of our own events.

Projects in Nepal:
• Buddha Academy: Since 1996, the initiator of the association, Heike Kiefer and many participants in her group, have been able to experience the establishment of these facilities during their stays in Nepal and establish close contacts with the director of the children's home. To date, over 135 sponsorships (full board and day students) have been arranged.
• Hostel project: Since 2006, 5 students (who lived 10 years in the Buddha Academy and did their school leaving exams there) live together in a shared apartment and have learned to look after themselves. The hostel project has been integrated into the "ASHRAYA" project since 2010.
• ASHRAYA, founded exclusively by Nepalese in 2009, also with many former students from the first children's home, the Buddha Academy and Hostel, and by people that the President, Heike Yamuna, Kiefer has known for many years. ASHRAYA was founded so that young people can learn a trade or start a business (microcredit). It will also help elderly people in need, because medical care is often not affordable for them. ASHRAYA is recognized as an NGO in Nepal.
• YAMUNA Childrenshome: Founded in January 2015 by Serki Sherpa, who in turn was in the Buddha Children's Home and Hostel Project. The President has sponsored it from 1995 onwards. There are now 18 children integrated into the home, which Serki runs with his wife. The children go to the village school.
• HIMALAYA Children's school and children's home in Pokhara and Mustang
Project in India:
• WIDE-Childrens Home at the foot of the holy mountain Arunachala: 30 orphans have found a home with a family, the children are between 5-15 years old and get a regular family life, education and schooling in a public school.

Heike Kiefer is the 1st chairwoman of Namaste-Welfare e.V ..

On request, we can provide advice to other net participants, give a presentation, and provide up-to-date specialist information and contacts in the field of our work.