The Story of Project Nepal

Text Box: Before my mother died in 1997, she told me that no matter where I ended up living, I was to give back to my motherland. “Nepal will lead you,” she said. In 2002, my father, a retired school principal, and my sister converted part of our family home to a school that sponsored five orphans. One day, I saw them walking several miles to school over dirt roads. Hand in hand, singing and smiling, they all exclaimed, “Good morning sir!” When I returned to the States, my friend and mentor, Terry Miller, a former UN and WHO nursing advisor urged me to set up sponsorships. She said, “Do you know how far $250 can go in Nepal? Your $250 can sponsor a child’s tuition, books, uniforms, and pencils for a whole year.” My good friend and coaching partner, JoAnne Russell and her sisters were the first to donate money for sponsorships. Since then, I have raised nearly $20,000 and we now have five teachers, a driver and bus, academic programs, music, art, and even tennis. The United Way of Champaign, Illinois graciously assists us in all our endeavors and serves as our financial agent. In November of 2007, we had our first cohort group teach in Nepal for two weeks. For the six of them, it was a life changing experience. For 2008, I have hired Ed Kellerman, a University of Florida professor to lead a larger group with the hopes of establishing an annual teaching and mentoring project. That way we can evaluate their learning and monitor their progress over time. Dr. Kellerman is also involved with setting up study abroad programs through the University of Florida and my home college of the University of North Texas. Please do not hesitate to use the donation link or to contact me, my wife Lynn, or Dr. Kellerman through this website. Nearly 100% of your money goes towards direct aid to the children. We use no professional fundraisers and all accounts are open for your inspection. Your support helps orphans succeed despite the long odds against them. As my mother said, “If you lead them, Nepal will lead you”. Sujay Lama

Above: the schoolchildren put on a cultural show for JoAnne Russell’s cohort group visit in October 2007.

To make a tax deductible contribution, please make checks payable to:

United Way of Champaign

And send to:

404 W Church St
Champaign, IL 61820

(write “Project Nepal” in the memo line)

For online donations, speak to Pam Hulton, Director of Resource Development: (217) 352-5151 or email Pam@uwayhelps.org

To make a non tax deductible contribution, please make your check out to Project Nepal and send to: c/o Ed Kellerman 5529 NW 52nd Terrace, Gainesville, FL 32653. Checks will be deposited to Campus USA account #801006. The records are always open to you.

Text Box: Media Credit: Holly Dutton "He teaches his team to be successful both regionally and nationally on the court, and also in the classroom and in the community," Villarreal said.

Project Nepal

Project Nepal gives orphans and other indigent children the opportunity to get an education. Lama is the founder and director of the organization that he started in 2007. His mother told him when he was a child that no matter where he ended up in life, he always needed to give back to Nepal. It started with just five children in his father's home, and now helps 72 children with five teachers and a school bus to transport the children.

"It is so rewarding to help my school," Lama said. "You feel blessed to have the opportunity to go back home and help the kids."

They have currently raised over $20,000, thanks in part to the United Way in Champaign, Ill. The school has come a long way and now features music and art programs, as well as a tennis program set up by Lama.

The winners will be announced October 27 at the 2009 NCAS Giant Steps award banquet in Orlando, Fla.

Text Box: NT tennis coach Sujay Lama finalist for Giant Steps award Lama finds nomination 'humbling' Eric Johnson Contributing Writer NT head tennis coach Sujay Lama has been nominated for the prestigious National Consortium for Academics and Sports Giant Steps award. The award is given to coaches who excel in their sport and in the community equally.

Lama took over the Mean Green program in 2006 and has turned it into a winning program in that short time. His work with Project Nepal and his coaching performance at NT have earned him the nomination.

"It is very humbling," Lama said. "It is a very proud and fortunate moment. Look at the past winners; they are some of the great names in coaching."

Coaching Career

Lama started his coaching career as one of the top assistants at the University of Florida, one of the nation's premier programs, from 1995 to 1998.

Lama took over as the head coach at the University of Illinois in 1998. He led them to five National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament appearances in his eight seasons before taking over NT in the summer of 2006.

NT was coming off a 2-18 season and was 41-52 for the four seasons before Lama became coach.

Lama is 27-14 in his two seasons, including a 14-5 record this season. The Mean Green is currently in the midst of a seven game win streak, the best streak in over a decade, and the 14 wins this season is the most NT has hd in over 20 years.

"I couldn't be more impressed with his recruiting and coaching," Athletic Director Rick Villarreal said. "He shows we do more than athletics. We surround ourselves with people who are more than just coaches, people who reach out and touch the community."

He has brought in two very promising recruiting classes in his two seasons. Some recruits have already proven themselves, such as sophomores Madura Ranganathan and Narine Kazarova and freshmen Paula Dinuta and Irina Paraschiv.

During his time at NT the team members have notched individual wins over some of the nation's top programs: Ohio State University, the University of Kentucky, Oklahoma State University and Louisiana State University. His team also posts the highest grade point average of all the athletic teams. http://media.www.ntdaily.com/media/storage/paper877/news/2009/04/08/Sports/Nt.Tennis.Coach.Sujay.Lama.Finalist.For.Giant.Steps.Award-3701642.shtml

To honor Sujay’s nomination, the Texas Rangers let him throw out the first ball of one of their games. “It was a slider but great fun and what an honor for me.”