3 months after the opening of the hospital Soma from Necha became mother of a beautiful son. With great pride in her eyes she showed her ‘bhabu’ (little boy). New born babies in Nepal get a name after 11 days. We like to congratulate the family and thank the staff for taking care of the first delivery in Necha Community Hospital. Please click here to see the pictures.
The Asian Heritage Foundation (AHF) Nepal is a social initiative of the Asian Heritage Group (AHG) and founded with a view to align its operational social and environmental footprint with management values. The foundation aims to facilitate and support social development in poor and remote areas of Nepal.
Vision
By showing that we care and combining our strengths we can develop our country.
Mission
We reach out to people living in places left behind by sharing benefits of economic prosperity to create sustainable development.
Values
We are driven by our belief in solidarity, responsible citizenship, transparency, ownership and partnership.
Nil hari Bastola (Nilam) grew up in the town of Necha. His parents were daily wage labourers working on the land of others. There were times when the family had no home or nothing to eat. When Nilam reached the age of 17 he decided to explore the opportunities of the capital for a better future. Years of hard work in the hazardous environment of factories followed until a friend offered Nilam the chance to work as a porter for a trekking organisation. Nilam understood the business well and discovered countless treks throughout Nepal. Despite the benefits of the trekking industry his job would not secure his future. Strong competition among porters and Nilam’s limited educational background created uncertainty. Nilam started to study English and history in the off season and with support of people in the Netherlands he was able to graduate for his bachelor degree in 1999. Meanwhile, Nilam had the opportunity to enroll in the official trekking guide training and to become a tour leader. After working with renowned international tour orperators Nilam left his job and founded Asian Heritage Treks & Expeditions. The agency grew rapidly with the support of an emerging network in the Netherlands. Gaining momentum in the tourist industry Nilam invested in 4 new companies: Asian Heritage Tours and Travel, Asian Heritage Transport, Asian Heritage Import- and Export and Asian Heritage Tea & Herbs. The Asian Heritage Group was established. The group is doing well and in 2008 Nilam felt it was time share the benefits of his economic success with marginalized people in Nepal, starting where his roots lie: South Solukhumbu. Nilam initiated Asian Heritage Foundation Nepal through which he intends to improve the quality of life of many of the underprivileged people of Nepal.
Willem, a dutch national, completed his B.A. in Human Resource Management at Avans University and received his Masters in Social Science from Tilburg University. He began his career at an international insurance company, Nationale Nederlanden, before joining the HR-business unit at Towers Perrin in Amsterdam. Through Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO), he was placed as Programme Advisor with a local Anti-Human Trafficking NGO in Jharkhand, India. He created a social institute for economic integration of tribal woman and launched a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) between state government, industry bodies and NGOs mobilizing resources against human trafficking. In collaboration with corporate partners and Yuwa-India he created a campaign for woman football as a tool for youth empowerment and as a CSR venture. In 2010 he moved to Nepal to support organizations with responsible business practices.
Coby Kunst
Ambassador of AHF Nepal in the Netherlands
After a demanding career in the corporate sector Coby started her own business in the wellness industry. Doing so, she would be flexible to undertake exciting trips to Asia. On her second journey to Asia she visited Nepal and found what she was looking for. Beautiful nature, friendly people, good food, ancient tradition and meaningful architecture. On one of the mountain treks she was accompanied by a young but fantastic guide; Nilam Bastola. Soon more trekking adventures followed under leadership of Nilam and a strong friendship emerged. It also offered Coby the opportunity to learn a lot about the ‘real’ Nepal. Attached to Nepal and this young ambitious guide Coby decided to support his dream of his own Travel Agency with a view to create jobs, promote decent labour conditions and social development. Asian Heritage Treks & Expeditions was established. After years of hard work in combination with Coby’s commitment Asian Heritage Treks & Expeditions gained a strong market position in the European market. Coby did not hesitate for a minute when Nilam asked her for help to materialize his next dream: Necha Community Hospital.
Marco Houthuijzen
Ambassador of AHF Nepal in the Netherlands
Marco is an enthusiast about everthing - from professional associations to caring for other people in Europe or Asia. He is a very involved professional in the customer care industry, as a passionate people manager, managing consultant and recruiter. His knowldege of the business and his contacts are impressive. If Marco sees an opportunity that can benefit the cause he works for, he will grab it. In that way he combines the strategic and practical aspects of his profession and passion.
The Asian Heritage foundation is a social initiative of Asian Heritage Treks
Willem, a dutch national, completed his B.A. in Human Resource Management at Avans University and received his Masters in Social Science from Tilburg University. He began his career at an international insurance company, Nationale Nederlanden, before joining the HR-business unit at Towers Perrin in Amsterdam. Through Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO), he was placed as Programme Advisor with a local Anti-Human Trafficking NGO in Jharkhand, India. He created a social institute for economic integration of tribal woman and launched a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) between state government, industry bodies and NGOs mobilizing resources against human trafficking. In collaboration with corporate partners and Yuwa-India he created a campaign for woman football as a tool for youth empowerment and as a CSR venture. In 2010 he moved to Nepal to support organizations with responsible business practices. 
