1 year ago today...an earthquake hit Nepal killing over 8,000 people and leaving tens of thousands without homes or schools.
Hello Dear Supporters
A year ago we woke to the news that a massive earthquake had hit central Nepal. The next few days brought many sad stories of loss and devastation along with a few inspiring tales.
Kids of Kathmandu and our most trusted partner, Asia Friendship Network, spent two weeks delivering relief supplies to thousands of families in some of the hardest hit areas of Nepal. Our efforts soon transitioned to school rebuilding. AFN's vast school building experience and Kids of Kathmandu's expertise in providing support systems to kids, made for an obvious partnership.
Here we are, one year later, still saddened by the tremendous loss of a year ago, but hopeful that Nepal will rebound and become even better than before.
As of last month, we have started fabricating the first 9 of 50 schools we are rebuilding that will serve 10,000 students.
Our list of partners has grown to provide a wide range of necessary systems to insure that these schools will not only be true 21st century learning institutions, but also will support a community striving to find balance and prosperity in an ever evolving Nepal.
Our most important and valuable partner is you, our donor. Your past generosity has helped make Kids of Kathmandu a leader in providing for marginalized Nepali children. Please consider donating towards school desks, chairs, library desks, whiteboards, water purification or technology.
Kimberly Holden is a Founding Principal of SHoP Architects with more than twenty years of experience leading cultural and academic projects around the world. Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Vermont and a Master of Architecture from Columbia's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, where she received several awards for design and research. She has led SHoP teams working with clients such as the Columbia University School of the Arts, the Fashion Institute of Technology, and SITE Santa Fe. Kim also takes a leading role in SHoP's outreach and pro-bono work, including the creation of prototype school designs for the charitable organization Kids of Kathmandu that are being realized on 50 sites throughout Nepal, replacing structures destroyed in the devastating 2015 earthquake.
In addition to her role on specific projects, as Managing Principal, Kim has guided SHoP's strategic development, shaped its operations and staff, and spearheaded cultural initiatives for the studio as it has grown in recent years to nearly 200 people. SHoP has won numerous awards, including, in 2009, the National Design Award for Architecture given by the Smithsonian-Cooper Hewitt museum. In 2014, Fast Company magazine recognized the firm's pioneering work, adding SHoP to its list of "Most Innovative Companies in the World." Additional honors have been given by the Chicago Athenaeum, the American Institute of Architects, and, most recently, the National Academy, which granted SHoP its annual Distinguished Achievement award.
Kim serves on the Board of Directors for Kids of Kathmandu and is a supporting sponsor of The Uni Project in New York. Beyond the studio, Kim continues her lifelong engagement in the practice of dance and photography.
