Less than 3% of charity trustees in the UK are under 30. This time last year, I became one of them.

I knew that I was stepping into uncharted territory, but I also knew that it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Nervous that I didn’t have the skills or experience necessary to join a board, I was reassured by the Chair and CEO that it is in fact a commitment to the cause, a passion for the mission, that is far more important and yet often harder to come by in potential trustees than an intimate knowledge of balance sheets or annual returns, (those things could be learnt).

Fortunately, I have the passion side of things well covered. Before becoming a trustee, I had already been drawn to support Kidasha for two big reasons:

Focus on Nepal

Firstly, because of their focus on Nepal, a country where I was fortunate enough to spend an unforgettable year of my life when I first left home at eighteen. The lessons I learnt from living halfway up a mountain on the other side of the world are innumerable and continue to shape the path my life takes. Nepal is a special country indeed, home to the tallest mountains and the best dal in the world. It is also one of the poorest countries in the world and yet, despite this, it often lacks international priority for support.

One of our big challenges as a charity is raising awareness of the profound need for support in the country, and in urban areas in particular, where recent rapid urbanisation means the dire needs of the urban poor are invisible in the statistical averages of “wealthy” cities. Almost ten years on from living in Nepal, it is special to have a continued connection to a country close to my heart through my role as a trustee. I cannot wait to go back in the coming years, meet Kidasha’s team on the ground and test out my (now very rusty) Nepali!

Doing Development Differently

The second reason I felt drawn to Kidasha is because they do development differently. We are a small charity making a big impact because we keep things local. Our Nepali team on the ground develops, pilots and scales up programmes directly in the community in partnership with local government and organisations. Our geographic focus means we have the experience, expertise and relationships in place to influence systems and create lasting change. I am proud to advocate for an organisation that is disciplined in its approach to understanding and meeting children’s real needs and values equity, honesty and humility. I value these things too.

“I am proud to advocate for an organisation that is disciplined in its approach to understanding and meeting children’s real needs and values equity, honesty and humility. I value these things too.”

– Rosie Hazeldine, Kidasha Young Trustee

As a young trustee, I have been incredibly welcomed and encouraged by my fellow board members. Naturally, there are times when I feel unsure about how best to contribute to a meeting or what question I should be asking. In those moments, I remember that I am at the beginning of what might become a lifelong trustee journey and I think about the sort of trustee I could be in five years’ time, in ten or in thirty, thanks to this early opportunity to gain experience.

I am very grateful to Kidasha for creating that space for me and my learning on their board. This is my first Trustee Week as a charity trustee and I am looking forward to many more to come!

Rosie Hazeldine

Kidasha Young Trustee

Greetings to all during Trustees Week 2023.

Championing Local Empowerment in Nepal

I’m Anthony Levy, and I’m excited to share my journey as a Kidasha Trustee, a role I was appointed to in March 2021. Trustees Week provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the impact trustees have on charitable organisations, especially ones close to our hearts like Kidasha.

A Commitment to Local Capacity Building

One of the aspects I’m particularly proud of is how Kidasha builds local capacity to ensure that communities play an active role in the well-being of their children. This approach not only ensures that the impact is long-lasting but also respects and honours the rich culture and traditions of Nepal. This emphasis on local empowerment is in my opinion what makes Kidasha stand out from other international development charities.

Bringing a Wealth of Experience

I have combined a career in business and business education and have a breadth of experience in charities and the NHS. Having served as Chairman and non-executive director in a range of private, public and not-for-profit organisations including UK health and educational organisations, it is a privilege to be able to share my experience and knowledge with Kidasha. 

“As a trustee, my role is to support and drive Kidasha’s mission to break the cycle of urban poverty. The organisation’s commitment to providing access to education, wellbeing, and child protection programmes is a testament to its dedication to creating a safer, brighter future for disadvantaged children and families in Nepal.”

– Anthony Levy, Kidasha Trustee

A Trustee’s Role in Creating a Brighter Future

As a trustee, my role is to support and drive Kidasha’s mission to break the cycle of urban poverty. The organisation’s commitment to providing access to education, wellbeing, and child protection programmes is a testament to its dedication to creating a safer, brighter future for disadvantaged children and families in Nepal.

The Power of Good Governance

Being a trustee is about more than making decisions; it’s about equipping the charity to make a lasting impact. Throughout my varied career I have witnessed how good governance makes a real difference to the success of an organisation.

For those considering a trustee role, I encourage you to explore the possibilities. It’s an opportunity to channel your passion into purpose and join a community of like-minded individuals committed to positive change. Trustees Week reminds us that we are part of a broader effort to inspire and facilitate change for those in need.

As we celebrate Trustees Week, I look forward to continuing to work together with my fellow trustees and the incredible team at Kidasha. If you want to learn more about Kidasha’s unique model and how you can help, please get in touch.

Anthony Levy,

Kidasha Trustee

Greetings. I’m Nidhi Mittal, and it’s my honour to mark Trustees Week 2023 by sharing my experiences as a Kidasha Trustee. My journey is rooted in a deep empathy for the families surviving life in extreme urban poverty in Nepal.

With 18 years of experience spanning across charities like the Trussell Trust and Save the Children, policy think tanks like the Coalition of Urban Transitions, and development arms of management consultancies including KPMG and Ricardo Energy & Environment, I have had the privilege of working on projects that address poverty, hunger, education, and local governance.

My connection to Nepal has been a long-standing one. Since 2011, I’ve been a frequent traveller to Nepal, where I’ve designed, delivered, and evaluated key UK Aid funded programs and child-centred initiatives. These experiences have deepened my understanding of the complex challenges faced by communities in Nepal.

My association with Kidasha began in 2016, and I’ve been actively involved in fundraising for the organisation. The admiration I have for Kidasha’s work in Nepal, where they strive to break the cycle of urban poverty, aligns seamlessly with my commitment to addressing poverty-related issues.

“As a mother myself and someone who has grown up in the South Asian sub-continent, I can empathise with the families in Nepal who face the harsh realities of urban poverty. This personal connection fuels my drive to create positive change, ensuring that children in Nepal have access to the opportunities and support they need to thrive.”

– Nidhi Mittal, Kidasha Trustee

Taking on the trusteeship for Kidasha aligns very well to my professional pursuits. I bring my knowledge of complex urban issues (including urban poverty), international development donors such as the Department for International Development (DFID), as well as understanding of low-income country and government contexts, to help the charity enhance scale the impact of our work. 

I joined Kidasha’s board in 2019 which was a natural progression of my commitment to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those in need. Trustees Week is a special time to acknowledge the importance of trustees in charitable organisations. It’s a week to reflect on the dedication, expertise, and collective effort that drives positive change. The diversity of experiences and backgrounds that trustees bring to the table fosters innovative thinking and problem-solving.

For those considering a trustee role, I encourage you to explore this opportunity. It’s a chance to channel your passion, skills, and empathy into a purpose-driven cause. Trustees Week serves as a reminder that your contributions can make a profound impact on the world. If you want to learn more about Kidasha’s unique approach and how you can help please get in touch.

Nidhi Mittal,

Kidasha Trustee

As a Kidasha Trustee, I find myself humbled and inspired during my current visit to Nepal.

I am Elizabeth Waterman and I am delighted to share my thoughts from Nepal during Trustees Week 2023. My involvement with Kidasha began nearly 20 years ago, and my first programme visit was in 2006.

My professional background is as an Occupational Therapist and I have over 40 years of experience spanning various specialties, including paediatrics. I understand the pivotal role that early intervention and support play in a child’s life. It’s a perspective that profoundly resonates with Kidasha‘s focus on empowering disadvantaged children and families in Nepal.

As well as considerable healthcare expertise, I also have a range of business skills developed in the private sector which have enabled me to contribute a unique set of skills to the trustee role. My husband and I have been committed to raising funds for Kidasha since its inception, and in 2016, I joined the board.

“I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the impact of Kidasha‘s programmes firsthand. These experiences underscore the significance of the work we do as trustees advocating for the rights and well-being of vulnerable children.”

– Elizabeth Waterman, Kidasha Trustee at a community hub during a recent visit to Nepal

I am currently on my fifth extended trip to Nepal a country I feel a deep connection with. In the area where we live in Wiltshire, UK there is quite a large Nepalese population and my experiences with them have furthered my understanding of their culture and the challenges families face both in the UK and Nepal. During my visits, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the impact of Kidasha‘s programmes firsthand. These experiences underscore the significance of the work we do as trustees advocating for the rights and well-being of vulnerable children. One of the partner organisations I visited had prepared a timeline of all the projects since inception and it really brought home what a difference Kidasha has made over the years.

Our ability to get innovative projects off the ground and clearly show others the difference they make to children’s long-term future means that once proven they can be replicated in other areas. Our aim is always to get the local communities and local government to take ownership of projects and gradually withdraw our support once they can stand on their own.

One such example, is the Asha Health Clinic which was set up with one of our partners in 2004. At the time this was the only healthcare clinic serving the underprivileged population of the area with people travelling for days for treatment.

Above: Elizabeth Waterman, Kidasha Trustee, with staff and children outside Asha clinic in Pokhara, Nepal

A supportive gradual handover was made to the government in about 2016. There are now 24 such healthcare clinics spread across the area. This is just one example of the huge difference and improvement Kidasha has made to improve children’s lives and embed programmes into communities.

I also visited several other projects including a children’s cricket project which has clearly helped children learn many transferable skills in addition to playing cricket. To see their increased confidence and hear them talk of their hope for the future is wonderful. I have witnessed firsthand the transformation of young people’s lives after they become involved in community groups and our education programmes. Read more about how we recently celebrated success through sport.

My visit this time has reinforced the importance of trustee’s work in ensuring that Kidasha’s programmes continue to break the cycle of urban poverty and drive long-term systemic change.
As we celebrate Trustees Week 2023 it is good to remember that working together as trustees together with our staff and partners we can make a difference, inspire change and make the lives of children we work with in Nepal more fulfilling.

If you would like to know more about Kidasha’s unique approach please get in touch.

Elizabeth Waterman
Kidasha Trustee

Greetings, everyone. I’m Nick Barry, and I’m delighted to mark Trustees Week 2023 by sharing a few thoughts as the Chair of Trustees at Kidasha.

This week provides us with a special unique opportunity to recognise the invaluable role that trustees play in the world of charity and non-profit organisations.

As Chair of Trustees at Kidasha, I’ve been fortunate to be part of an incredible journey. Kidasha’s mission is all about making a real difference in the lives of disadvantaged children and families in Nepal, and it’s a cause that resonates with our entire board of trustees. Our dedication to this mission drives us to be innovative, agile, and relentless in our pursuit of positive change.

Trustees are the pillars on which organisations like Kidasha stand. We work closely with the CEO and operational team to facilitate the strategic vision, the oversight, and the support needed to ensure that we make a positive impact in the projects that we deliver. Being a trustee is a tremendous responsibility, but it’s also an extraordinary privilege. It’s a chance to be a part of something greater, to help facilitate and shape the direction of an organisation, and to enable change that benefits those in desperate need. The relationship with the delivery team is critical to our success – both the small team we have in the UK as well as the team we have in Nepal.

Our team at Kidasha is diverse, passionate, and deeply committed to the cause. We come from various backgrounds, bringing a range of skills and experiences to the table. It’s this diversity that empowers us to think creatively and make well-informed decisions that benefit the children and families we serve.

Our greatest challenge (along with many other charities) is to raise our profile, increase our support, and raised necessary funds. Trustees have a significant role to play in these areas and we are forever trying to achieve improved success in these areas.

Trustees Week is a reminder of the importance of good governance and clear leadership. It’s a call to action for individuals who have the time, skills, and passion to consider becoming a trustee. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a young enthusiast like Rosie Hazeldine, our young trustee, your contribution is invaluable.

“Our greatest challenge is to raise our profile, increase our support, and raise vital funds. Trustees have a significant role to play and we are forever trying to achieve improved success in these areas.”

– Nick Barry, Chair of Kidasha’s Board of Trustees pictured with Janice Miller, Kidasha CEO

To my fellow trustees at Kidasha, I want to say thank you. Thank you for your dedication, your wisdom, and your tireless efforts to assist in the creation of an environment in Nepal that enables children who live in great poverty to fulfil their potential.

For those considering a trustee role, I encourage you to explore the possibilities. It’s a chance to channel your passion into purpose, to make a tangible impact, and to join a community of like-minded individuals who are committed to change.

If you want to learn more about our approach, why we focus on exclusively on urban Nepal and how you can help, please get in touch. We are currently in need of passionate people for our Board and would welcome you to contact us.

Nick Barry,

Chair of Trustees, Kidasha