Welcome to SOFON

Established in 1987, SOFON is a non-profit dedicated to uplifting underprivileged communities in Nepal.

About Us

SOFON (The Society Of Friends Of Nepal) is a non-profit initiative established in 1987, dedicated to fostering education, skills development, and community empowerment. Guided by the principles of Mahatma Gandhi—equality, self-reliance, and service—SOFON works to uplift underprivileged groups by promoting sustainable livelihoods, creativity, and self-sufficiency through kalaguthi in Nepal

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Our Objectives

SOFON empowers underprivileged communities by providing career training, scholarships, and financial aid to combat poverty. The organization promotes social awareness through educational events and specifically supports Nepali women through specialized craft projects. By mobilizing volunteers and funding, they ensure the sustainability of their community development efforts. Additionally, they offer international technical training to enhance individual capacity for local leadership.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of numerous donors and volunteers who have generously donated their time and funds for the development of Kalaguthi and its projects and programs.

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Our Programs

Management of Children and Youth Education Stress Program

This program is designed to help children and youth manage educational stress through creative activities, meditation, and engaging workshops that encourage self-expression, relaxation, and personal growth.

Heritage of Nepal Program

SOFON’s members joined the Heritage of Nepal program to celebrate and preserve cultural values.

Health and Mental Health in elders & felicitation of founding members of SOFON

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News & Updates

Printmaking workshop at NAC https://kathmandupost.com/art-entertainment/2017/11/09/printmaking-workshop-at-nac

A ten-day long printmaking workshop kicked off at Nepal Art Council on Monday. The workshop, organised by the umbrella organisation of printmaking artists in Nepal, Printmaking Nepal, was organised by senior artist Urmila Upadhyay. https://kathmandupost.com/art-entertainment/2017/11/09/printmaking-workshop-at-nac

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Graphics by Urmila Upadhaya Garg: Winnipeg Art Gallery, January 6th to 26th, 1969

Sold at Auction: Urmiola Upadhya-Garg(Nepalese,b. 1939),URMILA UPADHYA-GARG "COMPOSITION 11" 1971 Abstract Color Etching Nepal Atelier 17

URMILA UPADHAYA-GARG (Nepalese, b. 1939), "Composition II," 1971 Nepal Abstract Color Etching Dimensions 19.5" x 19.25" (image size) Artist or Maker Urmiola Upadhaya-Garg (Nepalese, b. 1939) Medium Print Condition Report Good Condition with Minor Toning Notes Carborundum Etching, Signed and Dated Lower Right, Titled Lower Center, Numbered 9/50 Lower Left

Urmila Upadhaya Garg | Composition | Compare similar artworks

Urmila Upadhaya Garg is an Indian Asian Modern & Contemporary artist who was born in 1939. Urmila Upadhaya Garg's work has been offered at auction multiple times. Among the artist's sold works is "Composition", which realized 3,162 USD at Ader in 2016

Artist/Maker name "Garg, Urmila Upadhaya"

Artist/Maker name "Garg, Urmila Upadhaya" Technique : Painting Printmaking

A LADY OF MANY HUES

Reflecting life's hues upon a canvas is what is generally expected of artists, but few are able to use their creativity to bring colour to the lives of others. An example of such an exception among artists in Kathmandu is Urmila Upadhyay Garg. A blend of an artist and social worker best defines Upadhyay's personality. Although known more for her vibrant paintings, it isn't all she has to offer, having also learnt the crafts of tapestry-weaving and textile-dyeing. She now imparts these skills to her 11,000 mentees at the Kalaguthi training school in Lalitpur.

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