Help the Children of Nepal

Help Chhori Laxmi Maharjan

with Her Doctoral Degree in

Psychology

??Chhori Laxmi Maharjan is a 31 year old Nepalese woman, who has risen by her own efforts from a poor, uneducated family to obtain a Master’s Degree and to dedicate her life to work as a psychologist for needy children. Chhori has been my student in post graduate training programs in Jungian sandplay therapy. I know her to be of the highest character. Chhori's work with children in psychotherapy is skilled and sensitive. Chhori would now like to further hereducation in psychology so she might be able to teach others and improve the education and professionalism of child treatment in Nepal.

Chhori’s Work Environment & History

Since 1996 Chhori has worked at a non-profit social service agency that serves the children and youth of Nepal. She is now manager and senior staff counselor, serving children that have been abandoned by their parents; infected with HIV/AIDS; and lack funds for basic nutrition and health care. The agency insures that the children are provided much-needed psychotherapy for the many traumas they have experienced and gives them an education.The program that Chhori focuses on rescues girls, whose families have sold them as indentured servants to landowners. For each girl, the families receive approximately $30 per year. These girls are promised educations, which never materialize. They are bound to service they cannot escape and are used as sex slaves by the landowners. These girls often become pregnant and are forced to have abortions. The agency pays the landowners’ fees, gives the girls a safe home, with medical and nutritional care, an education, and psychotherapy.

Chhori’s Objectives in Pursuing the Doctorate in Psychology

My short term goal is to strengthen my technical skills in psychology. My long term goal is to help Nepalese psychologists, counselors and new students of psychology to learn and improve their skills to help the thousands of desperately needy children. Overall I want to improve the professionalism of psychology in Nepal.Many children in Nepal live with a huge vulnerability to mental illness due to the traumas and daily challenges required to survive following their parents’ deaths, abandonment or poverty. I strongly believe that if all children could have the opportunity for professionally-delivered play therapy and counseling services, they will have the opportunity to better cope with their challenges and lead healthy, productive lives.I would like to be a change maker in their lives as well as a model for the possibilities that they can create with a little help.

Chhori’s Educational Opportunities

Chhori currently has offers from Governess State University and Northern Illinois University, but will need substantial financial support to undertake her studies.

I am Barbara A. Turner, PhD, Certified Sandplay Therapist –Teacher, Registered Play Therapist – Supervisor. I have written books on sandplay and child psychotherapeutic treatment and teach sandplay around the world. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns: [email protected]

Let’s work together to help Chhori bring some hope to the thousandsof extremely needy children in Nepal. Together we can make a difference.

Thank you,

Barbara

www.barbaraturner.org