About US
Digital Bridges 4 Nepal (DB) is a 501(c)3 organization created shortly after a devastating earthquake hit Nepal in April 2015.
We aim to help under-served communities in Nepal mostly in rural areas by supporting community driven projects through Education.
We offer teachers and students of remote campuses and high school Grade 11 & 12 the possibility for a modern Education using technology and collaborative rooms designed by us. We call them Computer Learning Environment Centers (CLEC).
DB NEPAL was officially created in 2020. With our teams in Nepal, we tackle issues through targeted projects in cooperation with individuals who represent these communities while expanding our connections in Nepali communities based in the USA or elsewhere in the world. By connecting these Nepali associations and communities that live abroad, we allow them to give back to their homeland in an innovative way.
The targeted projects allow us to closely track our donations ensuring all proceeds are impacting those in need. We are UNIQUELY qualified to deliver projects on time and on budget. Our values are TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, CO-CREATION, INNER SPIRIT & FLAWLESS DELIVERY.
DB exists in the United States and in France, and we are working towards further expansion in the future. DB France Nepal, our sister association, was formed in 2017, as Jacques Ausenda, one of the first members of DB, felt it was critical to have a french branch. AOFN is very active today in a village in the HUMLA district, in Western Nepal. https://www.aofrancenepal.fr
We aim to help under-served communities in Nepal mostly in rural areas by supporting community driven projects through Education.
We offer teachers and students of remote campuses and high school Grade 11 & 12 the possibility for a modern Education using technology and collaborative rooms designed by us. We call them Computer Learning Environment Centers (CLEC).
DB NEPAL was officially created in 2020. With our teams in Nepal, we tackle issues through targeted projects in cooperation with individuals who represent these communities while expanding our connections in Nepali communities based in the USA or elsewhere in the world. By connecting these Nepali associations and communities that live abroad, we allow them to give back to their homeland in an innovative way.
The targeted projects allow us to closely track our donations ensuring all proceeds are impacting those in need. We are UNIQUELY qualified to deliver projects on time and on budget. Our values are TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, CO-CREATION, INNER SPIRIT & FLAWLESS DELIVERY.
DB exists in the United States and in France, and we are working towards further expansion in the future. DB France Nepal, our sister association, was formed in 2017, as Jacques Ausenda, one of the first members of DB, felt it was critical to have a french branch. AOFN is very active today in a village in the HUMLA district, in Western Nepal. https://www.aofrancenepal.fr
Our VISION, MISSION & OUR AMBITION
Our Vision is to motivate People to Remain and Evolve in Rural Areas, Giving Them the Technological Tools and Opportunities Necessary to Prosper.
To allow for this to happen, our Mission is to Develop a Modern Education for teachers, students and the communities of Rural Areas of Nepal.
Our Ambition is to raise enough funds to be able to build
100 Computer Learning Environment Centers in the next 10 years.
To allow for this to happen, our Mission is to Develop a Modern Education for teachers, students and the communities of Rural Areas of Nepal.
Our Ambition is to raise enough funds to be able to build
100 Computer Learning Environment Centers in the next 10 years.
History
In 2015, a series of mega earthquakes struck Nepal. The first 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck on April 25, followed by a 7.3 magnitude earthquake in May, not to mention the hundreds of high magnitude aftershocks. This natural disaster killed over 8,000 Nepalese people, injured another 22,000, and destroyed over 500,000 homes, displacing nearly 3 million people.
This tragedy ignited a passion to take action, and a group of like-minded but diverse professionals came together to form Digital Bridges 4 Nepal. The name of the organization represents giving through altruism, as defined by renowned author Matthieu Ricard, and the united journey we are all on to improve the lives of others. Major NGOs do a remarkable job in getting most aid to most people in large urban areas where people can be more easily reached. DB seeks to help those in more remote, smaller villages that are difficult to access. By engaging with those communities, we support the preservation and strengthening of remote communities. DB Nepal has direct connections with local stakeholders who can execute life-changing projects in real time. DB USA financially supports projects that are impactful, sustainable, and that the local community feels are critical. We listen and learn from our on-the-ground partners, and then co-create with them modern ways to transform education where they are, using technology and collaborative rooms that DB designed.
Although DB was formed out of a tragedy in Nepal, our ambition is now to support the creation of a modern education, and to one day help also other communities around the world facing similar situations in dire need of assistance. The DB Board of Directors is “hands-on” and each has personally made the trip to Nepal and trekked into the Himalayan Mountains to meet with local people affected by the devastation in order to vet and approve projects first-hand. We are a 501c3 non profit organization. DB is dedicated to placing around 80% of donations directly in the hands of those in need, while the other 15% is used for IRS approved fundraising events. and the administrative support is the responsibility of the Board.
This tragedy ignited a passion to take action, and a group of like-minded but diverse professionals came together to form Digital Bridges 4 Nepal. The name of the organization represents giving through altruism, as defined by renowned author Matthieu Ricard, and the united journey we are all on to improve the lives of others. Major NGOs do a remarkable job in getting most aid to most people in large urban areas where people can be more easily reached. DB seeks to help those in more remote, smaller villages that are difficult to access. By engaging with those communities, we support the preservation and strengthening of remote communities. DB Nepal has direct connections with local stakeholders who can execute life-changing projects in real time. DB USA financially supports projects that are impactful, sustainable, and that the local community feels are critical. We listen and learn from our on-the-ground partners, and then co-create with them modern ways to transform education where they are, using technology and collaborative rooms that DB designed.
Although DB was formed out of a tragedy in Nepal, our ambition is now to support the creation of a modern education, and to one day help also other communities around the world facing similar situations in dire need of assistance. The DB Board of Directors is “hands-on” and each has personally made the trip to Nepal and trekked into the Himalayan Mountains to meet with local people affected by the devastation in order to vet and approve projects first-hand. We are a 501c3 non profit organization. DB is dedicated to placing around 80% of donations directly in the hands of those in need, while the other 15% is used for IRS approved fundraising events. and the administrative support is the responsibility of the Board.
Board Members Digital Bridges 4 Nepal USA
Ed Antoine – President
Often people ask me “Why Nepal?” and my answer is always “The resilient and kind people of Nepal and its magnificent nature have always moved me a lot, and after 17 trips there, I thought that we Westerners could learn to slow down and develop our altruistic nature to be of service". |
Craig Frischling – Treasurer
Craig Frischling is an angel investor and member of The New York Angels. His portfolio focuses on B2C companies including travel, fashion, e-commerce, health, and wellness businesses. |
Bill Johenning - Secretary
Bill Johenning has spent his 40-year career in the hospitality industry most recently retiring from SodexoMAGIC were he served as Vice President of Operations. |
Prava Adhikari
Prava is a native Nepali. She was born and raised in the suburban area of Capital city of Nepal. |
BOARD MEMBERS Digital Bridges 4 Nepal & NEPAL TEAM
Jhabindra Kumar Subedi
Jhabindra Kumar Subedi is Chairman of the Board of DB Nepal |
Prava Adhikari
Prava is native Nepali. She was born and raised around the capital city of Nepal. Currently living in the United States, and as the co-chairman of DB, she is also the DB Liaison between the people of Nepal and our staff in the United States. |
Pasang Sherpa
Pasang Sherpa is a founding member of DB is now the Treasurer of DB Nepal. |
Binod Tamang
Binod Tamang is born and raised in Kathmandu. He is originally from Namo Buddha Municipality of Kavre District, Nepal. He has completed ISC from Amrit Science Campus. Being passionate about computers, he has been working as a graphic designer for 10 years. |
Pramila
Pramila was born and raised in a suburb of Kathmandu. She graduated in Anthropology and sociology from Tribhuvan University of Nepal. |
DB Advisory Board
Jacques Ausenda
As Biochemistry Engineer Jacques worked for more than 35 years in a big Pharma involved in Industrial Operations |
Anne Corwith
Anne received her Ph.D. in International Education Policy focused on Education in Emergencies at the University of Maryland. |
Ton Roelandse
Ton Roelandse is a senior thought leader who draws from his extensive track record with numerous projects in IT and AI. |
Claude Roussel
Claude and Ed could be joined by the hip, as French born brothers, hospitality aficionados that developed a professional coaching relationship that supported them equally. |
Baikuntha Chaulagai MD
He found Digital Bridges 4 Nepal to be ethical, honest, transparent, with very little ego…, simply of service to his native country. |