Next Generation Nepal is throwing a party to celebrate its first birthday as an organization and to raise money - to help more trafficked children and also reunite them with their families. The good news for most readers is that you don’t have to go all the way to Nepal to join in the fun: at 7:00 p.m. on June 21, you can join NGN founder Conor at Phebe’s in New York. (I got my invitation by virtue of being on the mailing list (plus they must just know I’m good fun at a party), but I will unfortunately not be anywhere near New York.)

Conor is flying in from Nepal for the event; you can count on music, drinks, auction prizes and above all, good cheer.

NGN is an amazing example of a traveler and volunteer who saw a need and took the next step. At the end of one short year, there are 26 children living in NGN’s children’s home in Kathmandu, and over 30 have been reunited with their families. You can keep up with developments as well as funny and inspiring stories at Conor’s Mildly Thrilling Tales.

Blog posts are on topics ranging from moving (showing parents pictures of their children who have been missing for several years or vice versa), to adventurous (telling off some Maoists and/or getting their blessing to visit regions they operate in, in order to reunite families) to hilarious and cute (kids making sock puppets and a fairly deranged doorbell-ringing monkey thrown in the mix).

If you are in New York in June or can make it there, something tells me this is an event not to be missed. For more information, visit Next Generation Nepal.