Privacy Policy

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Freedom Through Education Nepal (FTEN) is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly. This policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information in accordance with Australian privacy laws and GDPR principles.

FTEN operates as RAWCS Project 82/2017-18 under Rotary Australia World Community Service. We are a 100% volunteer-run organization, and protecting the privacy of our donors, volunteers, and the families we support is fundamental to our mission.

Legal Framework

We comply with:

• Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) principles for international supporters
• Child Protection Standards for images and information about children in our programs

A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.oaic.gov.au

What Personal Information We Collect

From Donors and Supporters:

• Names and contact details (email, phone, address)
• Donation history and payment information (processed securely through RAWCS)
• Communication preferences
• Feedback and correspondence

From Program Participants (Families in Nepal):

• First names of children (full names not published)
• Educational enrollment information
• Photographs and videos (with explicit parental consent)
• General family circumstances (for program suitability assessment)

Important: We do not collect or store:

• Credit card details (processed securely by RAWCS payment portal)
• Sensitive personal data beyond what is necessary for program operation
• Full names, addresses, or identifying details of children in public communications

How We Collect Information

We collect personal information through:

• Our website (www.freedomthrougheducationnepal.com)
• Email correspondence (ftenepal@gmail.com)
• RAWCS donation portal (donations.rawcs.com.au)
• Direct bank transfers (when donors choose this option)
• Fundraising events and community gatherings
• Social media interactions (Facebook)
• Direct enrollment and family interviews in Kathmandu

We do not use cookies for tracking or collect information through automated means beyond basic website analytics.

How We Use Your Information

Donor Information:

• Processing donations and providing receipts (via RAWCS)
• Sending updates about FTEN's work and impact
• Acknowledging contributions and thanking supporters
• Informing you about fundraising events and opportunities
• Responding to inquiries and feedback

Program Participant Information:

• Enrolling children in schools and monitoring their progress
• Coordinating with schools and local partners in Nepal
• Demonstrating program impact to donors (first names only, with consent)
• Providing emergency medical or family support when needed

Marketing: You may unsubscribe from our mailing lists at any time by contacting us at ftenepal@gmail.com

Child Protection & Use of Images

FTEN takes the privacy and safety of children in our programs extremely seriously.

Our Commitments:

• Parental Consent: All photographs and videos of children used on our website, social media, or promotional materials are used with explicit parental consent
• First Names Only: We use only first names or initials for children in public communications
• No Identifying Information: We do not publish full names, specific addresses, or other information that could identify or locate a child
• Dignity and Respect: Images are chosen to show children with dignity, engaged in positive activities, never exploitative
• Right to Withdraw: Parents may withdraw consent for image use at any time

If you have concerns about any image or information published about a child, please contact us immediately at ftenepal@gmail.com

Who We Share Information With

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We share information only when necessary:

With Your Consent:

• RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Service): Donor information for processing tax-deductible donations
• Schools in Nepal: Enrollment and contact information for sponsored children
• Bikram (Local Coordinator): Family contact information for program coordination in Kathmandu

When Required by Law:

• If compelled by legal obligation or court order
• To protect the safety of children or prevent harm

We do not share your information with third-party marketers or unrelated organizations.

How We Protect Your Information

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure:

• Secure Payment Processing: Donations via RAWCS use secure, encrypted payment systems
• Limited Access: Only authorized volunteers access personal information, and only for legitimate program purposes
• No Public Databases: Donor and family information is not stored in publicly accessible locations
• Password Protection: Email accounts and administrative systems use strong passwords

Retention: We retain personal information only as long as necessary for program operation and legal compliance (typically 7 years for financial records per Australian standards). After this period, information is securely destroyed or de-identified.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your information (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Unsubscribe: Opt out of marketing communications at any time
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for image use or data processing
• Complaint: Lodge a complaint if you believe we've mishandled your information

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at ftenepal@gmail.com. We will respond within 30 days and will not charge a fee for access requests, though we may charge a reasonable administrative fee for providing copies of extensive records.

We may require identification before releasing personal information to ensure we're providing it to the correct person.

Third-Party Websites

Our website links to:

• RAWCS donation portal (donations.rawcs.com.au)
• Facebook page
• Media articles about FTEN

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party websites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or organizational structure. The current version is always available on our website at www.freedomthrougheducationnepal.com/privacy.html

Significant changes will be communicated to donors and supporters via email where possible.

Last Updated: November 2025