10 years of schooling for one awesome orphan — little Nani — in Nepal

You see that little girl up there? Let's tell her she doesn't have to worry about paying for school for the next ten years.

I turn 30 today (Nov 2nd) and want to mark this by giving Nani — a Nepalese orphan just entering Kindergarten — the peace of mind of ten years of schooling.

My friend Maggie Doyne runs an orphanage in Nepal. She is scarily amazing.

23 years old.

Just on the cover of The New York Times Magazine.

I had the incredible privilege of speaking with her at Do Lectures earlier this year. She started, funded and runs a 200 child orphanage.

It costs $300/yr to send one of these children to school. That $300 accounts for food, uniform, books, teachers, housing, etc. So it goes quite a long way.

This entire situation resonated with me for a number of reasons:

1) I'm adopted — orphans aren't just cute kids with sad eyes to me, they're also close to my past!

2) My trip to Nepal last year changed me in ways I'm still trying to understand (and I'm not just talking about food poisoning). Everything I've created this year I owe to that trip. So it's the least I can do to try and give back.

3) I'm a firm believer (dreamer?) in the transformative power of a base education in countries like Nepal and want to put my money where my thoughts are.

Donations are all tax deductible. Read about the organization here:

http://blinknow.org/about-blinknow/

I also plan on visiting Nepal again in 2011 and will give Nani one high-five for everyone who donates.

So — let's do this together. $3,000? Easy!