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About Us
WELNepal is a newly formed charitable organization, but its founders
have been raising money to support adult literacy classes in Nepal
(map) for the past eight years. WELNepal
is now funding 18 "Basic Literacy Classes" and 8 "Advanced Literacy
Classes." Thus far we have educated or are educating over 1,000
women. We have only two or three million more women to go. WELNepal's
board members receive no salaries and pay for their own travel costs
and living expenses while in Nepal. Less than 5 percent of the funds
WELNepal collects is spent on administration.
 David
Walton, Founder & President
David worked for 25 years as a commercial photographer in Toronto.
He left his profession in 1992 to see the world. Since his first
visit to Nepal
(map) in 1996, David
has had no desire to go anywhere else but Nepal, where he spends
three months each year in the country's lowland area. Since 1997
he has taught English conversation in Nepali government schools
and helped to build village libraries. In 1999 he began raising
funds for the education of Nepali adult women. Through his charitable
organization he hopes to continue the work he has been doing in
Nepal for many years to come.
 Diane
Hanson, Treasurer
Diane has been a jeweler, designer, and manufacturer in Toronto
since 1983. As a former member of other nonprofit organizations,
most recently of the Toronto Board of the Canadian Hearing Society,
she has acquired a wealth of fundraising experience and an understanding
of charities in Canada. Since 1999 Diane has devoted much time and
energy to the education and welfare of women in Nepal
(map).
She has generously donated from her own resources and organized
several benefits for that cause.
 Chris
McArthur, Secretary
Chris owns and runs a construction company in Ottawa and met David
while traveling in Nepal
(map) in 2004.
After introductions from David, Chris spent a couple of weeks in
the Chitwan, the work area of WELNepal, volunteering and participating
in some of WELNepal projects with the local computer school, primary
school, women's groups and more then a few impromptu language classes,
all of which were quite memorable. Since that time Chris has actively
participated in WELNepal efforts and hopes to return to Nepal in
the near future.
 Harimaya
Bhandari, Project Coordinator
For the past eight years, Harimaya Bhandari, a lifelong resident
of our target area in Chitwan has worked for several international
organizations. She began her social work with SPHere (Sustainable
Peace Here) after leaving the teaching profession. She then went
on to work as programme coordinator for "Promotion and Education
of Women Awareness", "The Village Fund", and "Educate a Child".
Harimaya brings both enthusiasm and experience to WELNepal's work
and we are fortunate to have her working with us
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