New Yorkers will be transported to Nepal for the evening as a Bermuda-based charity spreads the word on its work.
The Kathmandu Kids Club is hosting 'Namaste; An Evening in Nepal' to raise awareness of the thousands of children in need in Nepal.
But instead of hosting the event on the island, the charity has decided to head overseas to reach out to a wider audience.
They hope to particularly appeal to Bermudians living in New York or those with links to Bermuda. It is hoped that the event at the end of this month will attract about 250 people and raise about $40,000 for the charity.
The event will feature an auction, which will include two tickets to the Bermuda PGA Grand Slam in October, silk rugs from Kathmandu, authentic Nepalese arts and crafts and handmade pashminas and scarves.
Ruth Kempe, the Club's marketing manager, is staging the special fundraiser in New York. She came up with the idea because of her business connections with the city.
She said: "I know several Bermudians in New York and people there with links to Bermuda and they are very enthusiastic.
"Although the Club started in Bermuda, it has members from other countries, and many of my New York friends are supportive of Bermuda in general and The ISIS Foundation's work in particular."
Ms. Kempe added: "It's not just about raising money, it's about raising awareness of the Club and the amazing work done by The ISIS Foundation."
The Kathmandu Kids Club was set up to raise funds for the Nepalese projects of The ISIS Foundation. The varied projects include the provision of health care to 6,000 people living near a monastery in Kathmandu and help for battered women and their children living in shelters.
The Club has recently raised more than $60,000 by organising two similar auctions in Bermuda.
Ms. Kempe bought many of the gifts herself when she recently visited ISIS children's homes for trafficked youngsters displaced by war in Nepal.
She said: "They (the children) were incredibly friendly and happy and obviously loved by the staff and very well cared for.
"When you see some of the dreadful poverty and conditions in Kathmandu that other children have to live in, it really makes you realize how lucky the ISIS kids are."
Club president Leonie Exel said the New York event was a "brilliant idea."
She said: "We are just so excited and grateful that people like Ruth want to reach out and spread the word on our behalf. It is fantastic that so many people want to help and we hope people will support the event.
"Our dollars go a long way in Nepal and both ourselves and the kids will be grateful for any funds raised in New York - we can assure donors that they will be put to very good use."
Ms. Kempe will also be taking part in a fund-raising trek to the Base Camp of Mount Everest in 2008 to raise money for the Club.
If you or someone you know is going to be in New York, 'Namaste: An Evening in Nepal' is at the Sundaram Tagore Art Gallery at 547 West 27th Street, Chelsea, New York, on September 27.
Tickets for the event are $30 and available on the door or by emailing KathmanduKidsFriends@gmail.com
For more information about the Kathmandu Kids Club and The ISIS Foundation, visit their websites on www.kathmandukidsclub.com and www.isis.bm
