Adara Development (Nepal) - Humla

Dr Kelsang joined Adara in October 2006 to provide medical support to the people of the remote and hard-to-reach areas of Humla. Dr Kelsang has six years of training in Tibetan herbal medicine. Now, he spends nine months a year walking from village to village treating people through Tibetan medicine. Dr Kelsang says: "I am inspired by Buddhist philosophy to serve others on humanitarian grounds. So I decided to devote my time to support people who need my professional service. As Adara is supporting the communities with free health check-ups and medicines, it is an opportunity for me to realise my own dream too." Dr Kelsang says every moment he has had in Humla has been memorable.

Adara Development (Nepal) Humla

Angjuk Lama joins Adara as Programme Manager for Humla. Angjuk is from a village called Kermi, one of Adara Project villages in Humla. He started his school education at the Yalbang School and then moved to Kathmandu for his high school education. He completed B.A. in Humanities & Social Sciences from Campion College, Kathmandu and also completed BA in Sociology from Nazareth College of Rochester, New York. Angjuk speaks Tibetan, Nepali, English and Hindi. Angjuk has been working with Adara since the early days, assisting Adara's Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Director, Dr Kimber Haddix McKay in her research in Humla and working closely with our Nepal team to help rescue the 136 Humli trafficked children in Kathmandu. Angjuk was in USA for last 8 years and returned to Nepal in May 2013.

Adara Development (Nepal) Kathmandu

Bimala has been our dedicated cook in Kathmandu since 2007. She cooks delicious meals for all the staff, helps keep the office clean and shops for office supplies. She enjoys spending time with the Adara staff and really likes her work. Bimala has a young daughter who keeps her busy when not at work.

Adara Development (USA)

Brooke comes to Adara with over fifteen years of experience in the health and international sectors. She has worked for non-profit, corporate, and public organizations with a background in project management, grant submissions, and strategic planning. She has led teams across the U.S. and loves bringing people together to move toward a shared vision. She volunteered for many years with a small non-profit based in Ethiopia and has lived in Spain and Italy. Brooke received a BA in communication from the University of Puget Sound and an MA in policy studies from the University of Washington. In her spare time she chases her two young children, spends time with her husband and close friends, and tap dances.

Adara Development (Uganda)

Adara Development (Australia)

Deb is the Deloitte Ambassador to the GSO finance team. She has been with Deloitte for nine years, starting as a graduate and is now a Client Director, and has practiced in Australia and in the UK with extensive experience in audit, advisory and technical accounting. She is passionate about business with purpose and diversity in the workplace. Deb loves spending time with her family and friends, is desperate to save pangolins (and is pleased that giant pandas are no longer endangered, although they are still vulnerable), dislikes wedding planning and is looking forward to travelling around the world during her long service leave.

Adara Development (Nepal) Humla

Dhana joined the Adara team in 2012. In his role, he makes recommendations to Adara on the technical needs of people in Humla and investigates the pros and cons of various options. He also provides advice to Adara on how to assist the Humli community to meet their needs. He also works with Adara’s Nepali partner organisations to review the technical elements of their work, and assists our research team with monitoring and evaluation.

Prior to working with Adara, Dhana worked for RIDS Nepal on infrastructure related projects such as greenhouses, drinking water systems, solar power, and pit latrines.

When he is not at work Dhana likes to spend time with his family, and to help his family members on house hold works. He also loves carpentry and making furniture.

Adara Development (USA)

Emiko joined the Adara team in 2014 as the US Office Manager in Seattle, WA. She maintains all office and administrative functions for the US. Emiko adds twenty years office, administrative, IT and project experience to the team, most recently working as an IT Project Lead at Verizon Wireless headquarters in Southern California. She enjoys spending her free time camping and ATV riding, crafting, and playing cribbage with her family.

Adara Developmen (Nepal) Humla

Gagan has worked with Adara since 2011 as our Agriculture Coordinator. In his role, he organises and conducts capacity building training on seasonal and off-season agricultural production and marketing skills. He also implements Adara’s agriculture related activities. Gagan loves being part of the solution to Humla’s food shortage problems, and is proud of the way that innovative technology like greenhouses can play to improve the lives of Humli people.

Before Adara, Gagan worked for RIDS Nepal as an Agriculture Assistant.

Gagan has a certificate in Agriculture from KTS, Humla.

When he is not at work, Gagan enjoys playing and watching football, spending time with his family, and helping his family members on household works.

Adara Development (Nepal) Kathmandu

Hem Lata has a Master's degree in sociology and has been working with Adara in the Kathmandu office since 2010. She works with partner organisations and other support staff and manages reports. She describes Adara as a big, diverse, loving, caring, helping and welcoming family, and says her job has brought out a stronger, more confident and professional side of her. She joined Adara because she always wanted to be part of something that would help change somebody's life or society in a positive way.

Adara Development (Nepal) Humla

Kanjok started working for Adara in June 2011, supporting the education activities of the Adara Humla Plan. He works with eight communities to help improve school and education programmes, in both the formal and informal education sectors. Kanjok has a Bachelor's degree in education and before Adara Kanjok worked as an education supervisor and office assistant for the Himalayan Conservation Development Association. He also worked on research projects for two years, focussing on health and education. When not at work, Kanjok likes to write articles about culture, development challenges and current issues relevant to the upper Humla region.

Adara Development (Australia)

Adara Development (Australia)

Krithika joined the Adara family as a volunteer back in Nov 2015 and took on the role of IT support Officer in Jan 2016. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Electronics and communication. Outside work, Krithika enjoys travelling and listening to music.

Adara Development (Nepal) Kathmandu

Kumari has been a dedicated Adara cook since 2006. She cooks for the staff, cleans the office and shops for food and office supplies. She says her favourite part about her job is interacting with the Adara children. Kumari's favourite inspirational quote is "Live the day to the fullest".

Adara Development (Nepal) Humla

Kyamma is an Assistant Nursing Midwife (ANM) and has years of experience in health. She joined Adara in 2011 where she works to reduce infant mortality rates, protect children from malnutrition and improve children's health status in upper Humla. She also supports maternal activities in upper Humla. Previously, Kyamma was a health promoter for two years with a local NGO in Humla. She is passionate about providing women with delivery support and appreciates the open systems and teamwork that Adara offers.

Adara Development (Australia)

Madalyn joined the Adara family as an intern early 2017, and took on the role of Partnerships and Communications Officer in June 2017. Madalyn is in her final year of a Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) at the University of Sydney. In her spare time, Maddy enjoys live music and curling up with a good book.

Adara Development (Australia)

Maddy has worked at Adara since 2013. She joined Adara after working in Villa El Salvador, a community outside Lima, Peru, conducting community development projects with a local NGO. Prior to that, she managed policy-based conferences focussed on the higher education and healthcare sectors with Informa Australia. A graduate of the Australian National University, Maddy spent her final year of university writing an honours thesis on humanitarian intervention and leading the pastoral care programme at a university residence of 400 students – a period which served to cement her passion for international relations and mental health. In her spare time, Maddy soaks up the Sydney theatre scene, and reads as much as she can.

Adara Development (Nepal) Kathmandu

Menuka joined Adara as Health Coordinator in 2008. She is responsible for planning, implementing and coordinating clinical and community health programmes. She is dedicated to children's collective and individual health, as well as nutrition standards and health and hygiene profiles and awareness, which often includes clinical practice. Menuka is a nurse by profession and has received an intermediate-level nursing qualification.

Adara Development (Nepal) Humla

Mun Thapa was trained as a Junior Technical Assistant. He now works as the Office Dai for Adara Humla staff. Mun is in charge of maintaining organisation and cleanliness in the Simikot office. He provides daily support to the Adara staff and is also in charge of keeping inventory and records in the office. Mun's most memorable moment at Adara is when all the staff supporting the mobile medical camp reached Challa, one of the most remote areas in Humla, and provided health services to people in the area, most of whom had never been seen by a doctor before. It was a proud moment for all of Adara. When not trekking and working for Adara, Mun takes computer lessons to improve his computer literacy.

Adara Development (Australia)

Nanditha Joined Adara Development in May 2017.

Nanditha has over 15 years of experience in research as a researcher, a research project manager, a director of research funding programs and an academic in tertiary educational institutes. Before working with Adara, Nanditha had worked as an academic and researcher on young children’s wellbeing, children’s rights, social inequality and social justice at the Macquarie University in Sydney, the Country Programme Director for Oxfam America, Care and Protection of Children’s Network of the Columbia University and a lecturer in a number of universities including the University of Peradeniya and the University of Colombo in Sri Lanka.

Nanditha has a BA (Hons) in History, a MA in Women’s Studies and a PhD in Early Childhood. Her MA thesis explored the impact of training programmes and provision of credit facilities on small-scale women entrepreneurs’ economic development and overall wellbeing. Her PhD thesis reported young children’s and their families’ experiences on care and wellbeing in a resettling post conflict context in Sri Lanka and argues that that the voices of young children and their families who are directly affected need to be included in planning and delivery stages of rebuilding and development in conflict-affected contexts. Her research interests are children’s and women’s wellbeing and rights, rebuilding communities and community resilience and solidarity.

When not at work, Nanditha spends time with her husband, son and daughter watching movies, travelling and reading.

Adara Development (Australia)

Nisha joined Adara family as a volunteer in March 2015 and took on the role of Partnerships and Development Assistant in May 2015. She has a Master’s Degree in Applied Sociology from the University of Massachusetts Boston, USA. She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Delta Honor Society. Prior to Adara, she worked as Program Associate with Winrock International Nepal (a US-based not-for-profit organisation) promoting and implementing various clean/renewable energy projects to improve rural livelihoods, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources. She is from Nepal and currently lives in Sydney with her family. In her spare time, she loves to work on arts and crafts projects for children, work with multicultural families, read and cook.

Adara Development (Nepal) Humla

Nutup Lama is always on the move as Adara Humla messenger. He helps coordinate and move information, field-related data and information collection for the office. Nutup also helps guests on arrival in Humla and travelling through the remote mountains areas. Before working for Adara, Nutup was employed by one of Adara NGO partners, The Himalayan Innovative Society. When at home, Nutup grows vegetables in his garden and helps his wife and children with the daily housework.

Adara Development (Bermuda)

Pamela has spent more than 25 years working in the financial services and non-profit sectors in Bermuda, Chicago, New York and Boston. She brings with her a deep knowledge of the Bermuda community, many skills honed in the non-profit, public and private sectors, and a fierce determination to help women and children improve their lives.

Adara Development (Nepal) Kathmandu

Pasang has a Bachelor's degree in business studies. He started working with Adara as a tutor for one of the Adara Kids homes where we first cared for trafficked children. He was appointed as a home parent soon after, and was directly responsible for the children's care. In his current role as Manager of the Youth Development Programme, Pasang coordinates with staff to maintain the safety and security of the children and helps other staff with various projects. When not at work, Pasang likes to play games and travel. He says his passion for helping people makes him happy.

Adara Development (Nepal) Humla

Pema joined the Adara team in 2014 as a case worker in Humla to help manage the Adara Kids who have transitioned back to live with their families in Humla.

Before joining Adara, Pema worked in a cafeteria in Kathmandu, but she had a strong desire to work in Humla where she was born and raised. She really wanted to work in Humla to bring about change.

Pema holds Bachelor’s degree in Social Science and is currently pursuing Masters in Rural Development Studies.

When she is not at work, Pema likes to watch TV and spend time with family and friends.

Adara Development (Nepal) Ghyangfedi

Prem is our social mobiliser. He represents the Ghyangfedi community to coordinate between Adara and Ghyangfedi as we work together to rebuild the school destroyed during the 2015 earthquake. Prem was Ghyangfedi’s first university graduate and is very committed to assisting his community.

Adara Development (Uganda)

Namutebi Prosy started working with Adara in 2015 in the RM&E Department as a Uganda Research Assistant. She is a graduate from Makerere University with a Bachelors in Social Sciences. During her free time, she listens to music, likes growing flowers and skating. Prosy also loves her mummy so much.

Adara Development (Nepal) Kathmandu

Purna Bahadur is a trained gardener and has a passion for it. He is thrilled that his job with Adara utilised that passion. He is responsible for growing flowers, cutting hedges and grass, and watering the plants and flowers around the Adara Kids homes and the Adara office. Purna Bahadur has worked for Adara since 2007. He enjoys his work, and also the team activities organised for Adara staff in Nepal. Besides gardening, Purna likes listening to music and meeting his family in the village.

Adara Development (Nepal) Humla

Pushpa is responsible for managing the financial activities of the Adara Devleopment in Humla, including the books, ledgers, journals, bank accounts, balance sheets and income-and-expenditure accounts. Along with her financial duties, Pushpa is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Humla office. Before joining Adara in June 2011, Pushpa worked for the Forum for Awareness and Youth Activity, Nepal, as Administrative and Finance Officer. Pushpa also has a Bachelor's degree in business studies. Pushpa has a strong passion for her job and is inspired by the Adara Development philosophy quote: "Always, always do what's best for the kids".

Adara Development (Uganda)

Racheal has worked at Kiwoko Hospital for many years and started working at Adara in 2010. She takes great care of all the Adara visitors who come to Kiwoko Hospital and stay at the Adara House, located on the hospital grounds. She prepares meals, bakes and cleans for the guests. Racheal enjoys cooking and loves to try new recipes. When there are no visitors in the Adara house, Racheal assists with administrative work and helps care for the Ebenezer Boys. When not working in the Adara house, Racheal spends quality time with her niece and enjoys working in her garden.

Adara Development (Nepal) Humla

Ramesh comes to Adara with almost five years' experience of building and working on infrastructure projects, specifically for drinking water and sanitation in Humla. Ramesh now supports Adara Humla Plan by implementing infrastructure projects, providing job training to fix infrastructure, following up on implemented projects, and helping with disaster preparedness. The infrastructure projects focus on drinking water supply, latrine and hygiene awareness, smokeless stoves, micro-hydro power, grist mills, solar driers and greenhouses.

Adara Development (Australia)

Rebekah comes from a background in the Performing Arts and Production Management. She joined Adara Development after completing a Master of Philosophy at The University of Sydney. Her thesis focused on cultural participation within development issues and involved anthropological work in Vanuatu. She lived in Papua New Guinea as a young child and much later volunteered for 6 months with a medical NGO in the Fiji Islands. Rebekah works in ‘Team Champion’, which looks after the back end of Adara’s operations.

Adara Development (Nepal) Nepalgunj

Resham has a Bachelor's degree in business studies. With his job at Adara, he is accountable for a wide array of duties as social worker and logistics coordinator. He meets and monitors the progress of the Adara Kids who have been reintegrated in and around Nepalgunj. He also manages procurement activities in Nepalgunj, coordinates the shipment of goods to Humla by plane, and keeps records of financial transactions. Resham likes the variety his job offers, with some focus on marketing, logistics, case work and home visits. One of Resham’s most memorable moments at Adara was when took part in in social-work training in Kathmandu, organised by Adara. He said it provided him with the skills and knowledge to improve on his role at Adara.

Adara Development (Australia)

Rosie comes to Adara with many years of experience in relationship management in the non-profit sector. As a Youth Relationships Representative at World Vision Australia, Rosie sought to empower young Australian school students to realise their potential to tackle global issues, and raise funds in Australia’s biggest youth campaign, the 40 Hour Famine. Recently at Agency Strategic Creative, Rosie managed a broad spectrum of creative projects and national campaigns alongside some of Australia’s leading charities. Rosie has a BA in Development Studies and Culture Change from Macquarie. In her spare time, Rosie loves going on picnics on sunny Autumn days and a well-made cup of tea.

Adara Development (Australia)

Sarah first joined the Sydney finance team in 2008 and left us at the end of 2012 to venture with her family to Hong Kong. She is now back in Sydney and we are thrilled to have her back at Adara. Sarah comes to us with many years of experience in the insurance and investment banking sector. Her knowledge and experience are a fantastic asset to the team.

Adara Development (Australia)

Sarah is a Senior Associate with MinterEllison, a strategic partner of Adara Partners, and has joined Adara as a secondee. Sarah provides legal support to Adara Partners, Adara Advisors and Adara Development. Sarah's focus is competition and regulatory across a range of industries, including financial services, aviation and telecommunications. Her experience includes acting for parties throughout ACCC merger clearance and authorisation processes and advising on joint venture and distribution arrangements. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Commerce and a Diploma of Modern Languages (German).

Adara Development (Nepal) Kathmandu

Shankhar Shrestha has many years of experience as a driver. Before Adara he worked as an ambulance driver for Reukai Nepal. Shankhar has been working for Adara since May 2009. He is responsible for driving staff, caring for the Adara vehicle and for pick-ups and deliveries. His favourite times at Adara are when Adara international staff come to visit Kathmandu. On weekends, Shankhar likes to go to his village to visit his family.

Adara Development (Australia)

Sharmaine is a chartered accountant. She is excited to work for Adara because of its focus on transparency, working with communities and the lovely people who work here. In her spare time, Sharmaine enjoys reading, playing board games and riding her bike!

Adara Development (Nepal) Kathmandu

Sonam has a Bachelor's degree in business studies and before Adara she worked as an Accountant for Snowland School. She joined Adara in 2005 and served as Accounts Officer for the Adara Development (Nepal) for more than six years. She has now taken on the role of Finance Officer for Adara Development in Nepal – developing, maintaining and monitoring all its financial systems. Adara means family for Sonam. She loves the environment and feels privileged to be a part of this wonderful team.

Adara Development (Nepal) Kathmandu

Sunita has a Bachelor's degree in business studies. She began work at Adara in 2009 in the finance team. She is responsible for the day-to-day financial activities of Adara in Nepal. Sunita says working for Adara has developed her sense of responsibility, focus and value.

Adara Development (Nepal) Kathmandu

Surya has been our office messenger in Nepal since the end of 2009. He looks after the office and completes essential tasks for the office. Surya loves reading the newspaper to keep up to date on current affairs. He also likes to go to his village on weekends to meet his family.

Adara Development (Nepal) Humla

Tsering joined the Adara team in June 2011 when Adara began implementing the Humla Plan. Tsering comes to Adara with 20 years of hotel and restaurant experience in Humla. She is now responsible for cooking for the Adara staff and making sure that the office space and kitchen are kept clean and organised. Tsering most enjoys being involved with Adara green house project, as the technology can produce healthy vegetables with rich vitamins to ensure good nutrition.