Meet Anjit Bista

Director of Operations in Nepal

Anjit and Bebina

Anjit is a longtime, dear and trusted friend and partner of Luke Hanley. It is this relationship that is the cornerstone of all of Padma's work enabling both Luke and Anjit to go further and accomplish more toward their goal of helping the poor in Nepal. This is the story of how Luke and Anjit are working together to transform the orphaned and impoverished across Nepal.

Anjit and Luke met in 2005 during Luke's first visit to Nepal and they formed a fast partnership, leading them to authentically and effectively translate a Narcotics Anonymous and 12 step philosophy in Nepal. After Luke returned to the United States, Anjit decided to stop work at Shechen Clinic, a non-profit hospital serving the poor where he had been serving, in order to start an organization specifically designed to get at the root of those suffering in dysfunctional and impoverished living situations throughout Nepal. He wanted to transform the environments in Nepal that lead to rampant illness. Now Anjit's efforts focus on removing children from unhealthy environments and designing programs to best nurture these children. He also works extensively with former drug addicts, alcoholics and gang members throughout the Kathmandu valley using the 12 step programs to support rehabilitation.

Anjit told Luke that together they were the proud new parents of all the suffering children in Nepal. It would be Luke's job to raise awareness and funding in America while Anjit worked locally in Nepal to tailor a program that would best support and rehabilitate abused, neglected and malnourished children. After several challenges and frustrated efforts, Anjit and Luke's partnership is now bearing fruit. Anjit takes a hands-on approach, spending as much time as possible with the kids at the OCAYHN home where its "Therapeutic Community" program is a model for all 3rd world children's homes. Anjit's work with addicts and alcoholics is helping many across Kathmandu. It is Anjit and Luke's unique cross-cultural bond, trust and like-minded goals and dreams which fuels the efforts of the Padma organization, and promises to continue to grow and nurture those in need for as long as Anjit and Luke are on this planet.