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The Bo M. Karlsson Foundation started off as a non-sectarian fund to honor the legacy of the late Bo M. Karlsson, a compassionate man deeply dedicated to his family, the natural world, and education.
Started by Sonnia J. Karlsson in 2004, the goal of the fund was to procure funds for underprivileged young women around the world so that they could attend higher education or trade schools. In the fall of 2007, the goal of turning the fund into a foundation was actualized.
Given that Sonnia's inspiration for starting the fund was a result of traveling to Nepal to visit an orphanage, this country was chosen as the initial destination for funds to help young women. It is our hope that in years to come we can meet the needs of many young women who reside in countries where simply being born female is a barrier to the equality and freedoms all humanity should enjoy.
We believe that by helping one individual at a time, we can make a positive change in the world and have a meaningful connection with that individual. The women we support awakens us to our global connectivity and the universal desire for peace and goodwill. The rippling effect is monumental.
As we support women in their educational pursuits, our desire is that this also helps them build character and strength, making them self-reliant, confident, and productive citizens in their own country.
The Bo M. Karlsson Foundation was established as the Bo M. Karlsson Scholarship Fund in 2004 before becoming a non-profit organization in 2007.
After visiting Ama-Ghar Home in Nepal, Sonnia J. Karlsson realized the disadvantage that young women, in particular, have in pursuing higher education due to lack of funding or social/societal status. This new insight, along with her strong desire to honor her husband's memory and the conviction that one person can make a difference is how the BMK Scholarship Fund began to take shape.
The Bo M. Karlsson Scholarship Fund procured funds for underprivileged young women around the world to attain higher education at colleges or trade-schools in their own countries. The main goal was to help young women build a strong education in order to be self-reliant, confident, and productive citizens. This goal was backed by the belief that a strong, good education is the essential foundation for such a process.
The Bo M. Karlsson Scholarship Fund began with private funds from family and friends, and was supported solely by local fundraisers and private donations. Thank you to all of our donors during our first three years! One hundred percent of the proceeds went directly to the education of the young women it supported since the Fund was managed through volunteers only. To view our past fundraising efforts and sponsorships, please click here.
About Bo and Sonnia Karlsson
Bo M. Karlsson was a distinguished gentleman who had a strong conviction that education and knowledge were essential. He continued educating himself and learning new things throughout his entire life. Bo believed that immortality comes with what you pass on to your children and they then pass on to their children. After his death in 2000, his family combined these beliefs to honor his memory and pass on the gift of education to those who seek it.
It was Sonnia's vision to begin the Fund and she was the driving force behind it. She spends a lot of her time working with other local grassroots efforts to add positive energy, compassion, and peace to our world community.
Sonnia has been an active volunteer at Ama-Ghar and the first scholarship began with this home. The children living at Ama-Ghar are already successful in overcoming hardships, and we wanted to keep their dreams and success continuing with scholarships for higher learning. To view the recipients of scholarships between 2004 and 2007, please click here.
Sonnia personally thanks the following family members for supporting her vision: Verone Enock, Suden Kelley, Rick de la Noval, Rossana de la Noval, Vanessa Karlsson, Erica Cheshier (Karlsson), Dan Peterstrom, Sky Kelley and Chance Karlsson-Kelley.
The family owes their gratitude and success to Bo and Sonnia Karlsson who gave them confidence and taught them the value of education, the power of kindness, and the importance of honesty and integrity.
Important dates
July 1, 2004 - Bo M. Karlsson Scholarship Fund was established
August 1, 2004 - First & second scholarship awarded
May 1, 2005 - Second scholarship awarded
August 1, 2006 - Third scholarship awarded
May 1, 2007 - Fourth scholarship awarded
We are staffed by a Board of Directors and Advisors on a volunteer basis.
FOUNDER
Sonnia J. Karlsson, Executive Director
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jennifer Bennett, President
Teacher
Thomas C. Landschulz, Treasurer
Risk Manager
Patty Villa, Secretary
Teacher
Vanessa Karlsson, Executive Director
Teacher
Lila Ghising Lama
Social Worker
BOARD OF ADVISORS (U.S.A.)
Anna Witte
Teacher
Dhan Pun
President, Nepal Seattle Society
Sujan Shrestha
International Director, World Educational Campaign and
Seattle Business Owner
Surendra Shrestha
Seattle Business Owner
BOARD OF ADVISORS (Nepal)
Poonam Karki
Sudeep Manandhar
Sahara Rana
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