ABOUT US
OPEN YOUR HANDS was founded by Peter M. Smith (center), President; Margaret Roach, Vice President, and Dhana Bahadur Tamang (left), Vice President-Nepal Operations, in October 2004. It is a collaborative project with the School Development Committee of Birta Deurali V.D.C. and the residents of the entire village, who undertake the projects hands-on that Open Your Hands funds.
Our story began in October 2004 with a vacation by Peter M. Smith to Nepal, and a chance meeting in the chaos of Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport between Peter, a longtime American Airlines captain, and Dhana Bahadur Tamang, then 21 years old. When Peter saw Dhana across the crowded airport, where dozens of drivers were competing for his business, he was reminded of his own son. On impulse, Peter walked away from the man who was loading his bags into another car, choosing instead to ride into the capital with Dhana, to the guest house he worked at. The friendship that began at that moment was also the beginning of this work, and of the realization of Dhana’s long-held desire to make life easier for the other sons and daughters of his beloved village of Birta Deurali, where he took Peter on that very first trip.
JOIN YOUR HANDS WITH OURS
You, too, can join the circle. Find out how you can make a difference by opening your hands to the children of Birta Deurali, Nepal, and nearby communities, as those listed below have to date. Open Your Hands’ Federal 501(c) (3) charitable status is pending approval, so we regret that at this time your contributions are not tax-deductible. Email us at openyourhandsinc at gmail dot com to indicate your interest and we will happily contact you when our application is approved, and new projects are being funded.