Maggie's Home for Nepal's Kids
“We live in a bubble,” says Maggie Doyne, 21, of Mendham.
When she graduated from high school, Maggie was burnt out and trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life. A trip to Southern Asia introduced her to some “amazing” people who changed everything.
“They were children. Orphans. Living on the streets in a remote village in war ravaged Nepal.” says Maggie. “They had nothing. No basic needs. No home. No family. I fell in love with them and felt right at home. That’s when it hit me – build them a home.”
With tenacity, some savings and knowledge from local village people and a non-government affiliated organization, Maggie purchased a piece of land and went home. “I was fired up and ready to make this happen,” she still gushes about her first steps. “But I needed money. So I baby sat, house sat, did whatever I could to make money, all while putting together a business plan and getting advice and support from my family and friends.”
BlinkNow.org was born and the construction of Kopila Valley Children’s Home began.
“I want this to be a home, not an institution like so many orphanages, where children leave with no skills. Kopila means “bud”. I believe if children are raised in a supportive environment which helps them learn skills, they will blossom from buds into flowers.”
Maggie returned to Nepal in August to put the finishing touches on the third floor of the home, where 20 children are now living. “They play, they learn, they help out and they do things like a real family,” Maggie explains. See the latest here.
Since Maggie could not house Nepal’s more than 50,000 orphans, she created an Outreach Program to assist impoverished children and give them a chance to live and learn. “We can combat poverty in a sustainable way. Don’t just give, teach. Every person has a skill. With nurturing and love, I believe these children will become the next generation of doctors, teachers and business people in Nepal.”
As powerful as her work has been, Maggie is humble giving credit to the “amazing children,” great community support and her “amazing staff” in Nepal.
When she’s back in the states, Maggie enjoys and speaking to groups about her journey and the power of empowerment versus giving. Email her at Maggie.Doyne@blinknow.org.
Guest contributor Pamela J. Principe-Golgolab is president of PNA Associates in Chester.
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