More Than Just Our Founder

There’s a good chance you are reading this post because of Micheline Kramer, our co-Founder and President. For so many of our worldwide family, Micheline was the first one to introduce us to Nepal and Kailash and the children we strive to help daily. Her passion and dedication to HYF is obvious, and she has been the catalyst for many, many others discovering their love of Nepal and our Kailash Kids.

If you know Micheline at all, then you likely also know that she abhors the spotlight, preferring to keep the focus on our incredible children. Normally, we are happy to do just that, but as we marked 20 years of the Foundation last year, we knew it was time for a moment to celebrate, and get to know this incredible woman, friend, and advocate a little bit better.

Spotlight: Micheline Kramer

1. Tell us about your first visit to Nepal: What did it feel like? What do you remember most? What surprised you?

“My first visit to Nepal was a long, twenty-two day trek around Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world. I was overwhelmed by the scenery, the harsh living conditions, and the children running wild. And yet, there was such a feeling of care and love given to these children — happiness in the midst of miserable conditions. I had never experienced such happy misery.”

2. When did you realize Nepal was going to be such an important place in the trajectory of your life, and what have been some of the most rewarding moments of the last 20+ years?

“I certainly didn’t anticipate that it would be! My involvement in Nepal started slowly by sponsoring two children. Through them, I realized how big of a difference we could make with a relatively minimal amount of money. And I jumped in! It seemed so obvious …. and easy.

Without question my biggest reward is every single visit at Kailash — being welcomed by the big smiles of our children. And also, knowing where they come from, I cherish the amazing feeling of knowing that we have given them a new life!”

4. Tell us about the greatest challenges of the last two decades:

“Understanding and accepting the differences between Nepali and US/Western cultures. It is not always easy to bridge these differences when trying to find solutions; it has taken many, many years of work and learning. We are also constantly challenged to make sure we are providing our children with the tools they need to succeed and find careers in Nepal; we want them to be able to settle and thrive without leaving their home country, but opportunities are much more limited within Nepal.”

5. What would you want people to know about HYF and Kailash?

“It is deeply personal. Kailash Home is not run as an abstract, on paper ‘business’ — rather, we care for the children as our own children. In many cases, Kailash is all they have. It becomes their family, and they create everlasting bonds with their Sponsors who follow them for 12 - 18 years, from young children to University grads! HYF has become an international family in itself as well. Community is the heart of everything we do.”

6. Tell us a little bit about your life outside of the Foundation:

"I was born in Brussels, Belgium to very kind, loving parents. I graduated from Solvay Business School and moved to the US both because I was concerned by political instability in Belgium at the time, and because I had a desire to give my children the tools to potentially work in the US. I moved to Florida because it was as close as possible to Belgium, for my parents, and the real estate market at the time gave me confidence I could start from scratch.

My biggest joy is of course to share my Nepali adventures with my children and grandchildren, but I love hiking in the mountains anywhere. These days I especially cherish moments when I can reconnect with my European friends, play golf here in Winter Park, or enjoy some quiet time on the lake. I will also of course never lose my love of (Belgian) chocolate!

7. What else would you want newer friends and follower to know? How can people help HYF, and the children?

“You have to go to Nepal — it WILL change your life. It is a beautiful country, but most importantly the Nepali are amazing sweet people. These children, however, have no chance of receiving a proper education without our support. So little money has a huge impact on their lives, and I firmly believe that providing education to children is the only way we might bring peace to this world.

Helping HYF is easy — there are so many ways! Visit Kailash (visitors help expose our children to the world outside Nepal so they can learn and aspire). Talk about us at all occasions and opportunities. Share us with your friends and family, in-person, but also online. We cannot do this work without you!”