On 8th August 2016, PHASE Nepal staff nurse Nisha Tamang died in a tragic helicopter accident while accompanying her patient, Preeti Gurung, to hospital in Kathmandu. With them the pilot, Preeti's son and three of her relatives also perished. Nisha was a bright, determined and vital young woman, who had left an easy job as a college instructor to work with PHASE in remote communities. She was much loved by all she worked with, and her immediate colleagues are devastated by her death.
One of the stories her mother shared with us during this week of mourning was that Nisha had decided to go to nursing college without consulting her parents, but once she had enrolled, they did everything to support her, including selling property. Recently, Nisha had been promising her brother, who is due to finish class 10 this year, that she would bring him to Kathmandu and fund his further education from her income with PHASE Nepal.
Given her own determination to improve the lives of people in remote areas and her promise to her brother to support his studies, it seems fitting to keep her memory alive by supporting young Nepalis in similar goals: The PHASE team (in consultation with her parents) has decided to open a Memorial Fund for scholarships for higher education. The principle will be that this fund shall support young people from Nisha's home community and Sirdibas, where she worked.
Everyone in PHASE Nepal (board and staff) will be contributing to this fund in some way, but we are also asking our supporters to join us in this effort: With your help we can create a memorial which is worthy of Nisha and will keep her name and memory alive for many years to come. Thank you very much for your friendship and support in this difficult time.
