Launch the Panauti Community Hub & Cafe

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We’re thrilled to share that after months of challenge and resilience, the Panauti Community Hub and Café is finally nearing its grand opening! 

This vibrant space, nestled in it’s beautifully restored Newari heritage building, is set to become a space of hope, learning, and empowerment for hundreds of young people in Panauti. From free afterschool tuition and arts programmes to vocational training and a not-for-profit training café, the vision is coming to life.

Getting to this point hasn’t been easy. Building renovations have been significantly delayed due to record-breaking rainfall once again, causing landslides, blocked roads, and damaged infrastructure nationwide. Our team have worked tirelessly to protect the site 

Compounding this, the fall of Nepal’s government in September, following youth-led Gen Z protests against corruption and censorship, created further instability. Yet, even in the face of political upheaval and logistical setbacks, our local partners and community members have shown extraordinary commitment and courage.  

The Good News: We’re Nearly There!

Despite everything, we’re now just weeks away from opening! The energy on the ground is gathering. Furniture is being moved in, training programmes are being scheduled. The space is so very nearly ready to welcome children, families, and visitors with warmth, and with purpose.

What’s Still Needed: Your Support

To truly bring this project to life, we urgently need funding to hire a dedicated team of staff, educators, counsellors, café workers, and youth mentors who will run the Hub and Café day-to-day. We haven’t yet secured the funding we desperately needs to do this.

Your donations will directly support:

• Free education and arts programmes for children facing poverty and discrimination.
• Vocational training for young women from the Tamang community.
• Mental health and counselling services.
• A safe, inclusive space for learning, play, and community connection.
• Sustainable employment and ethical hospitality through the café.

This isn’t just a building, it’s a community-powered solution to deep-rooted challenges. In a region where 67% of children are engaged in child labour and 32% report domestic abuse, the Hub offers a lifeline. It’s a place to grow, heal, and thrive. 

Every pound you give helps us build a future of dignity, opportunity, and fun. Your support is not just appreciated it’s transformative for a community who really need a break and some optimism.

We’re so grateful to everyone who has followed this project and supported us so far. Please consider sharing this project with friends, family, and your networks. Together, we are working hard to make this dream a reality.

The Freedom to Learn Team

Links:

• our website
• our Facebook

Dear friends,

Thank you for your generous contributions this new, exciting and transformative project! We're thrilled to share an update with you. Your support is helping us bring vital services and opportunities to some of the most vulnerable communities in the Panauti region.

Project Overview

Freedom to Learn has been working in Nepal for over 14 years, and the Panauti Community Hub and Café marks a bold new chapter in our mission. Located in a beautifully restored Newari heritage building in the heart of Panauti, this initiative combines a vibrant community centre with a not-for-profit café. Together, they serve as a beacon of hope, education and empowerment for hundreds of people.

Why This Project Matters

The need in Panauti is urgent and multifaceted:

• 100% of our students face severe socio-economic challenges, including caste, ethnic and gender discrimination.
• 67% are engaged in child labour for more than four hours daily.
• 32% have reported domestic abuse.
• Recent natural disasters have devastated the region, displacing hundreds of families and destroying livelihoods.

The Hub offers a holistic, long-term solution to the challenges the community faces, through education, support services and community engagement.

What We’re Building Together

The Community Hub will provide:

• Free afterschool tuition, arts, music, dance, drama and counselling.
• Parent support and advice clinics.
• Teacher training and youth development programs.
• Certified vocational training, including barista, hospitality and beekeeping courses.

The Panauti Café will:

• Serve as a high-end ethical eatery and the town’s first public play space for children.
• Train young people in hospitality and entrepreneurship.
• Reinvest 100% of profits into our charity education and community projects.

Who Will Benefit

• 500–600 individuals annually will access free services at the Hub.
• 1,000+ patrons will visit the café each year, including locals and tourists.
• Special focus will be placed on girls’ empowerment, with income-generating training for 25 young women from the Tamang community launching in September 2025.
• The project is fully inclusive, with policies to support individuals with physical, sensory and learning disabilities.

Sustainability and Growth

This initiative is designed for long-term impact:

• The café will generate sustainable income to fund our ongoing education work.
• Local employment will be prioritised, especially for graduates of our programs.
• Partnerships with local guides and agencies will promote responsible tourism and economic development.

Your Impact

Your donations are helping us renovate the building, launch services and begin training programs that will change lives for generations. Work is underway on renovating the building, but we do need to secure more funds to be able to continue.

We are deeply grateful for your belief in this vision. Together, we are building a brighter, more equitable future for the children and families of Panauti.

With heartfelt thanks,
Joey, SK, Aimee, Sarina and the entire Freedom to Learn team 

Links:

• Our website
• Our Facebook
• Our Instagram