From Utah rug shop to Nepalese cleft palette surgery center

Utahns are well known for their humanitarian efforts and charitable giving. 

In this segment of Midday with Maria Shilaos, Maria tells the story of a Utah non-profit that is making a huge difference for people with cleft palettes nearly 8,000 miles away in Nepal, a country in the Himalayan Mountains of Asia.

She speaks with Jim Webber, who is the owner of Foothill Oriental Rugs. He went to Nepal in the 1990s to find a way to design and create his own unique rugs. But his mission ended up becoming something much more fulfilling and long-lasting. 

Learn more about the Nepal Cleft and Burn Center, and register for the May 16th fundraiser, at nepalcleftandburncenter.org or by calling Foothill Oriental Rug.

As a respected journalist, Maria Shilaos has earned the trust of listeners across Utah. Her show isn’t just about the news—it’s about the people behind it. Join her each weekday as she digs deeper, asks the important questions, and shares the stories that connect us all.