Friends of The Maryam Najafian Foundation
Without the help of dedicated friends, family, and many strangers, The Maryam Najafian Foundation would not have the opportunity to touch the lives of so many individuals across the world.
Meet some of the important people who have supported us in this journey so far.
John Taney
John is rare case of a master of all trades - music (having worked as a troubadour for four years in Paris and Thailand), science (PhD in Physics from St Andrews), and is an experienced in traveller and humanitarian.
Following the devastating 2015 earthquakes in Nepal, John was working to provide essential emergency relief for the most vulnerable in Kathmandu. After falling in love with the country and it’s people, John teamed up with the Maryam Najafian Foundation with hopes to find ways of making a greater difference.
Since then, John has created close and loving friendships with communities in Nepal. Today he continues with passion to develop projects which empower and transform lives.
“It has been a truly humbling journey, to come to appreciate how the initial actions of a small group of friends can have such an unexpected, widespread positive impact on the lives of many. To be able to return to our home in the mountains after a year and bear witness to the positive outcomes generated by the commitment and dedication of old and new friends alike, who have been working together towards a better future for the most vulnerable in society is an incredible honour ”
Millie Rose
Millie, with John, conducted field research in Nepal on behalf of the Maryam Najafian Foundation. Millie has worked as a co-ordinator for a youth centre for refugees in Thailand, followed by the pursuit of a Masters degree in Gender and Developmental studies.
Through making genuine friendships and connections, and with a desire to make the greatest possible difference, Millie has been key to the success of the School Lunch Programme in Nepal.
Kailey Hak
Kailey or “Miss Kailey” is our teacher extraordinaire. After visiting Kattike with John, she has helped enhance the teaching quality and experience for both children and adults in Kattike.
With the support of Badri Tamang, the local education officer, Miss Kailey conducted a 3-day teacher training for teachers in local schools.
Kailey also spent 2 months running a Language programme at the local community hall in Kattike for adults and children, working alongside young locals training them to teach and manage the programmes as a community.
“We can become so hung up on fancy books, computers, and the most perfectly curated curriculums, we can forget the true meaning of education – coming together as a community to grow and become better versions of ourselves for the betterment of our society. I am beyond proud of everyone who came together to make the learning program such a success”
Thomas Stormoen
Thomas has been in Nepal for over 15 years, and is a farmer, who promotes non-invasive, and sustainable farming practices throughout the local region, through his working organic farm and Nursery; Biloba Organic farm. Thomas has initiated a project to support the sustainability of the lunch program in the region , which incorporates the educational farming practices of planting of trees, fruits and vegetables for school consumption and hopes to ensure greater ownership and sustainability for the long-term survival of the school meal programme.
Katie-Jay Scott and Gabriel Stauring
Driven by their passion to provide support for individuals and communities affected by mass atrocities, Katie-Jay and Gabriel founded iACT in 2009, and Little Ripples in 2013.
Building upon years of listening to refugees and observing the refugee context in eastern Chad, iACT began to focus on filling gaps in humanitarian response and on improving the ways to create and implement programs with refugee populations.
The running theme in our conversations with Katie-Kay and Gabriel is the word “dignity”. They have a desire not only to give aid, but also to empower and give agency to individuals who have suffered so extremely.
Find out more about their incredible work.
The Najafian Family
The Maryam Najafian Foundation channels an eternal love for a dearly missed daughter, sister, cousin, niece, auntie, and friend. With support from family members and close friends, the foundation has transformed the lives of children and adults across the globe.
The Najafian family keep Maryam close in many ways. Through The Maryam Najafian Foundation, we keep her with us through acts of kindness and generosity in helping others.