Bonnie Ellison '64

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LAS philanthropy starts with the desire to educate, nurture, and create caring world citizens. I was one of the first to get an LAS education, enrolling as a student the very first year it was open: 1961. Philanthropy works in a circle; it is not what I gave to LAS, but rather what LAS gave to me that I now give to others. 

My first introduction to an international environment took me from Montana (USA), to Nepal, to Libya, and finally to LAS. Navigating multiple cultures at a young age could have fostered a lack of confidence or low self-esteem. But instead self confidence, along with humility, was instilled in me by my parents and was then re-enforced and broadened by my experience at LAS. The confidence I gained at LAS propelled me to navigate cultures and find success in my professional career as a producer in advertising. 

When I decided to retire at age 55, returning to Nepal to take care of abandoned children was an obvious choice for me. Nepal has always been my soul place and I felt I needed to do something to contribute. My circle was complete when I became the Country Director of Ama Foundation in Nepal.

Caring for abandoned children by creating an environment that promotes self confidence was my basic goal. Self confidence doesn’t come easily to children who suffer the psychology of abandonment, but the simple recipe of a constant structure of care and love seems to be working and the Nepali staff that raise these children are the real heroes. With a hard working Ama Foundation Board in the USA and the generous gifts of many, Ama Foundation has raised 45 young adults with self confidence, and we currently have another 45 learning the same lessons. 

LAS has been very generous by giving two full scholarships for the LAS Summer in Switzerland program that we auction off at our annual Ama Foundation fundraiser. Beyond the scholarships themselves, LAS continues to give by nurturing the summer program students as they start their education to become caring world citizens…and the circle continues.

Thank you, LAS, for the special place you hold in my life. What an honor it was to feel the same spirit from my fellow LAS alumni from not only the 60s, but from graduates of every year at the 61st Celebration this past summer.

www.ama-foundation.org