The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have taken to Instagram to share a touching video message they received from Blink Now Foundation, a charity dedicated to empowering and supporting children from Nepal.
Blink Now Foundation is one of the 15 grassroots charities Meghan and Harry chose to highlight during August, as part of their ‘Forces For Change’ month, where the royal couple reached out to their 9.4 million followers to ask who they felt were forces for change in their communities.
On Wednesday the organisation sent a video message to the couple, led by some of the children benefitting from the charity, to thank them for their support and giving them some insight into the wonderful work Blink Now does within the south Asian country.
“Namaskar Meghan and Harry!,” the children greet the couple at the beginning of the message.
“We are so thankful that you chose Blink Now as a Force for Change. We appreciate your support.
“Blink Now’s vision is to empower Nepal’s children, let me show you how we do that here at Kopila Valley,” they explain, before showing them around some of the facilities.
There’s Kopila Valley Children’s Home, Kopila Valley School – which provides free education to all its students and is the ‘greenest’ school in Nepal, built from rammed earth and run by solar power – and the Kopila Valley Women’s Centre.
Accompanying the video is an extensive caption, where Meghan and Harry expressed their delight at being able to shine a light on the amazing organisation and the work they are doing.
“The Blink Now organisation’s journey started on the very real concept where one young woman decided to help one young girl, hoping to make one small difference,” @sussexroyal wrote.
“Today the Blink Now organisation provides a loving home for over 40 children, a school for 350 young students, a safe house for 10 of their most-at-risk female students, a new school campus made from the earth and many more incredible initiatives.”
They continue, “Their mission is to change the world by empowering Nepal’s children. They do this by providing quality education, a safe environment and through inspiring others, but almost more importantly, they do this by believing in community first.
“They believe that if given the proper tools and initiatives, people and communities anywhere in the world can raise themselves out of poverty.”
Adding: “We want to thank you @BlinkNowOrg for the kind message and for continuing to be a #ForceForChange. To discover ways to get involved, create something, and build and brighter future for the children and women on Kopila Valley, visit @BlinkNowOrg.”
Meghan and Harry were delighted to shed light on the Blink Now Foundation, one of the 15 grassroots organisations nominated and chosen as one of their Forces For Change for the month of August. (Image: Getty)
Since launching their Instagram account in April, Meghan and Harry have taken to highlighting a particular theme or cause each month, with August dedicated to grassroots charities who are forces for change in their communities.
Other charities highlighted this month include Rafiki Mwema, a charity dedicated to properly support children dealing with trauma; Beecause, an organisation working to increasing the global bee population; Pawsitive Change Program, an initiative pairing shelter dogs with Californian prisons and Tiny Tickers, a charity working to improve early detection and diagnosis of heart defects in babies.
Speaking to Global Citizen, CEO of the UK-based Tiny Tickers Jon Arnold says they have seen a huge increase in social media activity within hours, as a result of being recognised by @sussexroyal.
“It was a wonderful surprise to have been chosen by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as one of their 15 Forces for Change charities,” he said.
“Already we’ve seen a tremendous increase in awareness of the charity, our work, and the CHD cause globally.”
For the month of August, the royal couple asked their Instagram followers to suggest Instagram accounts who inspire them and are ‘forces for change’ in their community and beyond. (Image: Getty)
And despite having only starting their account in April, the couple have already been recognised as one of TIME magazine’s 25 Most Influential People on the Internet, joining the likes of popstar Ariana Grande, US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, actress Jameela Jamil and South Korean boyband BTS.
Explaining the couple’s inclusion in the list, TIME writer Raisa Bruner pens: “While baby photos are among @SussexRoyal’s draws, most posts are dedicated to the pair’s work as royals.
“Each month, in an effort to highlight advocates and organisations focusing on issues such as climate change and mental health awareness, the account rotates the users it follows – a savvy strategy that has driven headlines.
“The Sussexes’ forward-thinking, cause-orientated approach to their social media fits neatly with other ways they are establishing their identity beyond the crown.
“In June, the palace confirmed that the couple will be departing the Royal Foundation, which was started by Prince Harry and Prince William in 2009, to launch their own separate charitable organisation.”
Since starting their monthly themes in May, the couple have had a mental health awareness month, PRIDE month and climate change awareness month.
