By Sanju Poudel | Project Leader
Extreme poverty affects millions of Nepali families. Approximately one-third of the children aged 5-14 (2 million children) are in the labor market. Thousands of children live on the streets, in sub-standard institutions, or work illegally in bonded labor – orphaned, abandoned, or given up by parents unable to provide for them. Far too often, poverty and desperation separates children from their families and into a bleak future.
NYF’s original children’s homes, J House for boys (since 1992) and K House for girls (since 1994), were founded to provide safe shelter, nurturing, and educational opportunities for children with nowhere else to turn. Despite the exceptional care children received, these rented homes weren’t ideal.
In 2016, NYF opened our own permanent children’s residences at Olgapuri Village. “Olga’s little oasis” offers a beautiful home for up to 80 of the most vulnerable children in Nepal and has developed into a lively sanctuary that offers countless opportunities to enrich young minds.
In FY 2017-18, a total of 82 children received care at Olgapuri. The children are thriving in highly-rated schools in Kathmandu appropriate to their individual needs, they receive excellent healthcare, celebrate festivals, enjoy fresh food they help grow at the farm, and stay active throughout the year.
While we’re proud of the high quality of the living environment Olgapuri provides, and the well-adjusted, successful young adults who are “alumni” of our residential program, we also recognize that even the best children’s home falls short of a loving family. That’s why NYF’s Kinship Care model focuses on providing financial support to extended family members who otherwise would not be able to keep an orphaned, abandoned, or at-risk child.
While over 150 earthquake affected families have regained self-sufficiency, approximately 720 families are currently receiving support through our Kinship Care programs, allowing them to remain together and children to continue their education. “Rohit” is one of these students who comes from a village in Gorkha district. He lives with his father and elder sister in a temporary shelter as they lost their family home in the 2015 earthquake. They have not yet been able to rebuild their house and sustain meagerly by raising goats for livelihood.
Rohit has been receiving an NYF scholarship since 2016, has excellent school attendance, and has also greatly improved his academic performance. He is currently studying in in the 7th grade and aspires to continue his education through college.
Thanks to your support, children are on a life-transforming path to self-suffiency in adulthood while remaining with their loving families!
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