"Embracing Nepal" Documentary

OPEN HEARTS, SIMPLE LIVES

​Far from centralized civilization, small farming villages - most of which are accessible only by foot - sit nestled among the expansive mountains of Nepal. Resources are scarce here, and the lack of education puts families at risk every day. Oftentimes they are subject to deceptive child traffickers who take children from their homes and sell them into slavery or abandon them in illegal orphanages.

The documentary film “Embracing Nepal” will follow the dedicated work of humanitarian and holistic physician Dr. Adiel Tel-Oren, founder of the non-profit group Ecopolitan Eco-Health Community. Ecopolitan is constructing and sustaining ELA (Everest Learning Academy). ELA is a community-supported network of schools that provides holistic education, organic food, and hope for impoverished children to lead healthy and productive lives.   There are currently 3,000 impoverished children and orphans who are involved in ELA's network of projects - that number is rapidly increasing.

The restrictive Hindu caste system in Nepal prevents lower caste families from improving their social and economic situations. They are viewed in Nepali culture as “Untouchables” and are deemed “unclean.” The “Touching the Untouchables” program was recently established by Dr. Tel-Oren, where foreigners share, heal, teach, and learn from the Nepali villagers as a means to rectify this outdated social stratification system and adopt a more humanizing outlook on life.

Filmmakers Augusta Rose and Mary-Frances White are volunteering their time and expertise to create a documentary featuring these children who live in the remote areas of Nepal. They filmed on location March 8th through March 24th, 2013. The expected release date of the film is September, 2013."Embracing Nepal" will chronicle the stories of a group of trekkers from around the world as they are transformed by the sacred land of Nepal and touched by its beautiful people. The Nepali way of life and all of the hardships, pleasures, and lessons of humility and gratitude will be explored. These lessons will be conveyed through globally applicable messages that will leave viewers with a sincere admiration of people who give so much and have so little - a heartfelt and invaluable lesson that all will benefit from.