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| Nepal SDCN 2011 |
Monday, November 14, 2011
What we've been doing in Kathmandu.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Kathmandu Kids
An update from the field! Brandon and I have just returned and now mostly recovered from two amazing and action packed weeks in Nepal. The primary goal was to reconnect with the children and experience first hand how their lives are at Social Development Center Nepal. Returning to the home exceeded any and all of my expectations. The extent to which the children have grown emotionally, physically and mentally since my last visit is beautiful. Being able to converse with them all in English, and have them help me with my Nepali was easily the highlight of the trip. With such a short visit Brandon and I set out an aggressive schedule of being at the home each day to walk the kids to school, and then we tackled the project of moving into the second floor of the apartment building we rent. Doubling the size of the home in a week was a big task and we had plenty of help from Nepalis in the neighborhood. Ultimately we repainted the entire home, installed new carpets upstairs, repaired all the electrical, purchased curtains and chairs for use throughout the home. Two new bedrooms and a dedicated learning space upstairs means the children have more room to grow physically and mentally. We are working on filling the library and learning space with tools for the children to put to into action. Please let us know if you have ways you'd like to help!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Update from Nepal April 2011
Great news from Nepal! Sue Clark, our International Director just returned from a visit and has shared this brief update and beautiful photos of the kids:
The kids are great! We went to Chitwan and they had a ball! There was a festival right next to our hotel which they went to a number of times, we did elephant safari, elephant breeding farm and canoe ride...they saw 2 crocs.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Namaste!
Thank you for your interest in our site and the children at the Social Development Center Nepal (SDCN).
The SDCN is home to thirteen orphaned Nepali children and is located in central Kathmandu. The children Asmita, Nabin, Bikram, Milan, Nishan, Soma, Tulasi, Suttam, Naresh, Srijana, Chek, Dipesh and Kopila are cared for by didis, or “big sisters”, Ruth and Horimya.
The SDC is a registered NGO (non-government organization) and non-profit organisation. All work undertaken is on a voluntary basis, with the exception of the two home carers. All funds raised are by donation and predominately from overseas sources connected to the orphanage.
These are thirteen wonderful children who have been brought together under very sad and difficult circumstances. Despite this they are all now part of a larger family that extends across the world. Without spending time with them it is difficult to understand how infectious all of their personalities are and how loving and affectionate they are with their visitors and with each other. Each child has 12 other brothers and sisters and they care for one another and share a passion and energy that is inspiring.
We invite you to read the rest of our site and learn more about our children, their home and our goals. We ask you to consider joining us in our quest to a create a better life for these children and to give them the opportunity to be strong, healthy, well educated Nepali citizens.
The SDCN is home to thirteen orphaned Nepali children and is located in central Kathmandu. The children Asmita, Nabin, Bikram, Milan, Nishan, Soma, Tulasi, Suttam, Naresh, Srijana, Chek, Dipesh and Kopila are cared for by didis, or “big sisters”, Ruth and Horimya.
The SDC is a registered NGO (non-government organization) and non-profit organisation. All work undertaken is on a voluntary basis, with the exception of the two home carers. All funds raised are by donation and predominately from overseas sources connected to the orphanage.
These are thirteen wonderful children who have been brought together under very sad and difficult circumstances. Despite this they are all now part of a larger family that extends across the world. Without spending time with them it is difficult to understand how infectious all of their personalities are and how loving and affectionate they are with their visitors and with each other. Each child has 12 other brothers and sisters and they care for one another and share a passion and energy that is inspiring.
We invite you to read the rest of our site and learn more about our children, their home and our goals. We ask you to consider joining us in our quest to a create a better life for these children and to give them the opportunity to be strong, healthy, well educated Nepali citizens.
Mission
In 2006 a small group of Nepali people opened this orphanage to provide a stable home and continuing education for the increasing number of children who have been left without parents due to the country’s political unrest and economic troubles. There are now thirteen orphan children from all over Nepal living at the SDC in the Kathmandu neighbourhood of Khusibu near Naya Bazaar. The children are living in a safe and secure environment, receiving food, an education and medical needs that would otherwise not have been available to them.
Through the combined efforts of Prakash Chandra Devkota and Uttam Bhatta, both members of the original committee, along with the international director, Sue Clark and the many volunteers, the orphanage is now a well structured, stable organisation. The high yet attainable goals of the SDC set it apart from many others. It is conceived, designed and funded to be a permanent home which will help these thirteen children become well educated, positive, respectful and valuable members of Nepali society.
Each year, the biggest goal and challenge for the orphanage is to be able to secure enough funding to support these thirteen children. Operated on a primarily voluntary basis the home is run with minimal costs. The children’s carers, Ruth and Harimaya are the only two paid ‘employees’ of the organisation and there are no administrative overheads. All funding is raised through donations globally and there is support within Nepal and Kathmandu. For more information on overheads etc please see ‘Donations’.
For the founding members of the orphanage education is of the highest importance. Ultimately the dream is for each child to have the opportunity to attend a higher standard non-government school and possibly move on to tertiary education.
The children’s Nepali and English skills improve everyday and their understanding of different cultures, manners and concepts such as hygiene are so much greater because of the time they get to spend with volunteers and western visitors. As well, Horimya’s older children , who are also very much a part of this big family, spend the afternoons tutoring the children and helping them with their homework.
Through the combined efforts of Prakash Chandra Devkota and Uttam Bhatta, both members of the original committee, along with the international director, Sue Clark and the many volunteers, the orphanage is now a well structured, stable organisation. The high yet attainable goals of the SDC set it apart from many others. It is conceived, designed and funded to be a permanent home which will help these thirteen children become well educated, positive, respectful and valuable members of Nepali society.
Each year, the biggest goal and challenge for the orphanage is to be able to secure enough funding to support these thirteen children. Operated on a primarily voluntary basis the home is run with minimal costs. The children’s carers, Ruth and Harimaya are the only two paid ‘employees’ of the organisation and there are no administrative overheads. All funding is raised through donations globally and there is support within Nepal and Kathmandu. For more information on overheads etc please see ‘Donations’.
For the founding members of the orphanage education is of the highest importance. Ultimately the dream is for each child to have the opportunity to attend a higher standard non-government school and possibly move on to tertiary education.
The children’s Nepali and English skills improve everyday and their understanding of different cultures, manners and concepts such as hygiene are so much greater because of the time they get to spend with volunteers and western visitors. As well, Horimya’s older children , who are also very much a part of this big family, spend the afternoons tutoring the children and helping them with their homework.
The Children
Kopila Shrestha (8)
Kopila is from Nuwakot, which is on the way to Langtang, about 4 hours drive from Kathmandu. She has one sister who is still in her village.
Kopila loves to play clapping games with her friends at school and also Srijana. Any volunteer at the home will have to be prepared for hours of cross-legged clapping with Kopila and a lot of giggling!! It’s fun...and you learn lots of Nepali rhymes!! Kopila’s favourite subject at school is Nepali and although she is shy she loves to dance.
Dipesh Khadga (6)
Dipesh was a street boy in Kathmandu before he came to the home. Very little is known regarding his background but it is believed he has a father who is living in Pokhara, however he has no mother. Dipesh has no siblings.
Dipesh is quietly involved in everything...from playing volleyball with the older children to colouring with the girls or sitting quietly and practising his English with the volunteers. His favourite subject at school is English.
Chek Shrestha (7)
Chek is also from Nuwakot. Both of his parents died when he was 18 months old. He has a younger sister and a grandmother.
Chek is very independent for his age and happy to spend time by himself and can keep himself amused with games for hours. He is quiet and very reserved.
Srijana Shrestha (9)
Srijana is the second youngest girl at the home and is from a village just outside Ghorka. She has a father, a step-mother and a grandmother. Now that her father has remarried she is no longer welcome in her stepmother’s home.
Srijana has an amazing laugh that you can’t help but laugh along with! She is like a little monkey that is always jumping, crawling and climbing (mostly over the volunteers!) She loves creating things with the Lego that has been donated to the home by visitors. Her proudest piece – a ‘digital camera’!
Suttam Shrestha (8)
Like Kopila and Chek, Suttam is from Nuwakot. His mother died when he was only a month old and his father is now living in India leaving him orphaned. Suttam is very quiet and loves to play volleyball and also the drums.
Naresh (9)
Naresh is from Ghorka and there is very little known about his background. His date of birth is not known. Naresh’s mother died when he was very young and his father is now remarried and is in infrequent contact with Naresh.
Soma Lama (12)
Soma is from Sitapaila, which is 1 hour away from the Monkey Temple. Soma is Ruth’s niece. Her mother died in 2003 when Soma was six and her father has now remarried. Soma is no longer welcome in her stepmother’s home and has been left an orphan. She has an older brother who is still living in her village and is very poor and not receiving an education.
Soma is incredibly inquisitive and will sit and talk to you for hours asking endless questions. She is fascinated by oceans and the concept of the Great Barrier Reef. Her favourite subjects at school are maths and science.
Nishan Lama (12)
Nisshan is from Swyambu which is where the Monkey Temple is in Kathmandu. He has an older sister who is in another orphanage. Both of Nisshan’s parents are incapable of caring for their children. His father was paralysed 8 years ago and his mother is very sick and unable to work.
Nishan is an incredibly intelligent boy who is 2 years ahead at school. He loves maths, English and drawing. All of the children look up to Nisshan and he is amazingly kind and mature for his age.
Tulasi Bhantana (12)
Tulasi is from Ghorka. He has no siblings and his date of birth is unknown. He does not have a mother and his father has left him. Tulasi was cared for by his aunt before coming to the home.
Like all of the children, Tulasi is fascinated by anything that beeps, flashes or lights up and often volunteers have lots of cameras, mobiles and videos that do just that! Although the children are not allowed to use visitor’s cameras they are usually totally in awe of them!!
Bikram (13)
Bikram only came to the home in June 2008. He is from Ghorka. He does not have any parents, but he does have an older sister who is married and has moved away from Bikram’s village. He was living and caring for himself in a house for many months before he came to the home.
Bikram loves to play volleyball and soccer and at school he likes science. He has settled in very well and has become like an older brother to all of the children.
Milan (13)
Like Bikram, Milan only came to the home in July 2008. He is from a village near Ghorka. His father left the family many years ago and his mother cannot afford to look after her son. Milan was working as a tea-boy in Kathmandu but ran away back to his mother. She had to ask for her son to be taken into a home and become an official orphan. Milan is only in grade 2 at school despite being 13 as he had had no education until he came to live at the home. He is doing extremely well and is aiming to move up a grade next year if his grades continue to be as good as they are now. He loves learning English and playing the drums.
Asmita Lamichhani (14)
Asmita is from Ghorka. She has 3 older sisters of which 2 are married, and the other in another orphanage. Asmita does not have a mother and the girls were raised by their grandparents before they had to ask for them to be taken into the home.
Now that Asmita is older she is interested in women’s issues and rights and will ask endless questions on the topic. She is doing very well as school and her English is very good...it is also her favourite subject. She enjoys writing and is very much like a third carer to the younger children.
Nabin Bisho-Karma (14)
Nabin is from Sindhuli and does not have any parents. He has one older brother who is working in Kathmandu as a shoe repairer. Both boys were living on the streets of their village before Nabin came to the orphanage.
Nabin is a very quiet but a very affectionate boy. He does not say much and is happy to sit and watch all of the action. He applies himself at school and enjoys social studies.
Kopila is from Nuwakot, which is on the way to Langtang, about 4 hours drive from Kathmandu. She has one sister who is still in her village.
Kopila loves to play clapping games with her friends at school and also Srijana. Any volunteer at the home will have to be prepared for hours of cross-legged clapping with Kopila and a lot of giggling!! It’s fun...and you learn lots of Nepali rhymes!! Kopila’s favourite subject at school is Nepali and although she is shy she loves to dance.
Dipesh Khadga (6)
Dipesh was a street boy in Kathmandu before he came to the home. Very little is known regarding his background but it is believed he has a father who is living in Pokhara, however he has no mother. Dipesh has no siblings.
Dipesh is quietly involved in everything...from playing volleyball with the older children to colouring with the girls or sitting quietly and practising his English with the volunteers. His favourite subject at school is English.
Chek Shrestha (7)
Chek is also from Nuwakot. Both of his parents died when he was 18 months old. He has a younger sister and a grandmother.
Chek is very independent for his age and happy to spend time by himself and can keep himself amused with games for hours. He is quiet and very reserved.
Srijana Shrestha (9)
Srijana is the second youngest girl at the home and is from a village just outside Ghorka. She has a father, a step-mother and a grandmother. Now that her father has remarried she is no longer welcome in her stepmother’s home.
Srijana has an amazing laugh that you can’t help but laugh along with! She is like a little monkey that is always jumping, crawling and climbing (mostly over the volunteers!) She loves creating things with the Lego that has been donated to the home by visitors. Her proudest piece – a ‘digital camera’!
Suttam Shrestha (8)
Like Kopila and Chek, Suttam is from Nuwakot. His mother died when he was only a month old and his father is now living in India leaving him orphaned. Suttam is very quiet and loves to play volleyball and also the drums.
Naresh (9)
Naresh is from Ghorka and there is very little known about his background. His date of birth is not known. Naresh’s mother died when he was very young and his father is now remarried and is in infrequent contact with Naresh.
Soma Lama (12)
Soma is from Sitapaila, which is 1 hour away from the Monkey Temple. Soma is Ruth’s niece. Her mother died in 2003 when Soma was six and her father has now remarried. Soma is no longer welcome in her stepmother’s home and has been left an orphan. She has an older brother who is still living in her village and is very poor and not receiving an education.
Soma is incredibly inquisitive and will sit and talk to you for hours asking endless questions. She is fascinated by oceans and the concept of the Great Barrier Reef. Her favourite subjects at school are maths and science.
Nishan Lama (12)
Nisshan is from Swyambu which is where the Monkey Temple is in Kathmandu. He has an older sister who is in another orphanage. Both of Nisshan’s parents are incapable of caring for their children. His father was paralysed 8 years ago and his mother is very sick and unable to work.
Nishan is an incredibly intelligent boy who is 2 years ahead at school. He loves maths, English and drawing. All of the children look up to Nisshan and he is amazingly kind and mature for his age.
Tulasi Bhantana (12)
Tulasi is from Ghorka. He has no siblings and his date of birth is unknown. He does not have a mother and his father has left him. Tulasi was cared for by his aunt before coming to the home.
Like all of the children, Tulasi is fascinated by anything that beeps, flashes or lights up and often volunteers have lots of cameras, mobiles and videos that do just that! Although the children are not allowed to use visitor’s cameras they are usually totally in awe of them!!
Bikram (13)
Bikram only came to the home in June 2008. He is from Ghorka. He does not have any parents, but he does have an older sister who is married and has moved away from Bikram’s village. He was living and caring for himself in a house for many months before he came to the home.
Bikram loves to play volleyball and soccer and at school he likes science. He has settled in very well and has become like an older brother to all of the children.
Milan (13)
Like Bikram, Milan only came to the home in July 2008. He is from a village near Ghorka. His father left the family many years ago and his mother cannot afford to look after her son. Milan was working as a tea-boy in Kathmandu but ran away back to his mother. She had to ask for her son to be taken into a home and become an official orphan. Milan is only in grade 2 at school despite being 13 as he had had no education until he came to live at the home. He is doing extremely well and is aiming to move up a grade next year if his grades continue to be as good as they are now. He loves learning English and playing the drums.
Asmita Lamichhani (14)
Asmita is from Ghorka. She has 3 older sisters of which 2 are married, and the other in another orphanage. Asmita does not have a mother and the girls were raised by their grandparents before they had to ask for them to be taken into the home.
Now that Asmita is older she is interested in women’s issues and rights and will ask endless questions on the topic. She is doing very well as school and her English is very good...it is also her favourite subject. She enjoys writing and is very much like a third carer to the younger children.
Nabin Bisho-Karma (14)
Nabin is from Sindhuli and does not have any parents. He has one older brother who is working in Kathmandu as a shoe repairer. Both boys were living on the streets of their village before Nabin came to the orphanage.
Nabin is a very quiet but a very affectionate boy. He does not say much and is happy to sit and watch all of the action. He applies himself at school and enjoys social studies.
Facilities
The Center is currently located in a small first floor flat, in the neighbourhood of Naya Bazaar. It is close to the children's school, the Darwin Academy, and only 10 minutes walk from Thamel, the main area of guesthouses and restaurants.
The apartment is simple yet Horimya and Ruth have it functioning seamlessly. There is a main room which is used for eating, homework and play and it also where the boys sleep. There is another smaller room where the girls and Ruth sleep. The children have bunk beds and sleep two to a bed and three in one.
There is a kitchen with a gas stove where Horimya and Ruth can cook the meals. There is no running water at the home, however, there is a common back area with water pump for washing and a toilet. The front courtyard serves as common entrance and outside play area. There are several other Nepali families who live on the floors above, and there is always plenty of activity.
The easiest way to find the Center if you are in Kathmandu is to find your way to either the Pilgrims Guest House or Great Adventure Treks and Expeditions, and someone will be able to give you directions. You can also visit The Mountain Fund resource center in Thamel.
The apartment is simple yet Horimya and Ruth have it functioning seamlessly. There is a main room which is used for eating, homework and play and it also where the boys sleep. There is another smaller room where the girls and Ruth sleep. The children have bunk beds and sleep two to a bed and three in one.
There is a kitchen with a gas stove where Horimya and Ruth can cook the meals. There is no running water at the home, however, there is a common back area with water pump for washing and a toilet. The front courtyard serves as common entrance and outside play area. There are several other Nepali families who live on the floors above, and there is always plenty of activity.
The easiest way to find the Center if you are in Kathmandu is to find your way to either the Pilgrims Guest House or Great Adventure Treks and Expeditions, and someone will be able to give you directions. You can also visit The Mountain Fund resource center in Thamel.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are a crucial part of the Social Development Center Nepal. The children love having new visitors and will welcome you with open arms. This orphanage is a very small project and there is very little publicity surrounding it. The orphanage is mostly driven by those who have been to Kathmandu and have met the children. This is why volunteers play such an important role – as well as bringing new ideas and methods of helping the children, they provide extra exposure for the home.
Volunteering is an amazing experience. Spending time in Kathmandu, being with the children and getting to know the city and people is something you will never forget. You will form an instant attachment with all of the children and you will leave Nepal with a new sense of understanding and achievement.
Part of volunteering is to stick to the daily routines of the home and help the children with their homework each afternoon. It is great fun to play with the kids once their homework is done. They will usually play soccer or volleyball outside, read or colour. The children love to ask you questions about where you are from and it is great teaching them about your culture and your country. Above all, the biggest gift a volunteer can give these children is to always speak English with them – learning English is the key to their education and their career. If they can speak English then they can, at the very minimum, get a job in the tourist industry of Kathmandu when they grow up and earn a very decent living.
Volunteering is an amazing experience. Spending time in Kathmandu, being with the children and getting to know the city and people is something you will never forget. You will form an instant attachment with all of the children and you will leave Nepal with a new sense of understanding and achievement.
Part of volunteering is to stick to the daily routines of the home and help the children with their homework each afternoon. It is great fun to play with the kids once their homework is done. They will usually play soccer or volleyball outside, read or colour. The children love to ask you questions about where you are from and it is great teaching them about your culture and your country. Above all, the biggest gift a volunteer can give these children is to always speak English with them – learning English is the key to their education and their career. If they can speak English then they can, at the very minimum, get a job in the tourist industry of Kathmandu when they grow up and earn a very decent living.
Donations
Each year it costs, at minimum, US$800 to feed, clothe and educate one child at the Social Development Center Nepal. Contributions from donors go towards overheads such as rent, electricity, food, medical expenses, school fees and the salary of the two carers, Ruth and Horimya.
To raise this money the orphanage depends on positive word of mouth from the friends and families of the volunteers and the goodwill of trekkers and tourists.
Below is an idea of what your donation can give these children;
$2 - 1.5kg of Paneer which is a cheese although it is quite similar to Tofu. The children eat this only occasionally as a way of getting protein.
$10 - 25 exercise books for school
$30 - Ruth or Horimya's wage for one month
$60 - 8 pairs of underwear for each child i.e. 104 pairs of underwear
$100 - Electricity for the home for 6 months
It is often said that 'every little bit helps' and in this instance this phrase holds true. This orphanage is run in the most efficient and lean manner possible, however this is mostly out of necessity. No amount is too small and we appreciate anything you are able to contribute.
If you would like to help, please contact one of the International Members so we can answer any questions that you may have.
If you are ready to donate and you are in the USA you can make a secure, tax-deductible donation by credit card with 'Omprakash.org'. You can do this by clicking here:
https://omprakash.org/DonationForm?go=DonationForm&p=234
To raise this money the orphanage depends on positive word of mouth from the friends and families of the volunteers and the goodwill of trekkers and tourists.
Below is an idea of what your donation can give these children;
$2 - 1.5kg of Paneer which is a cheese although it is quite similar to Tofu. The children eat this only occasionally as a way of getting protein.
$10 - 25 exercise books for school
$30 - Ruth or Horimya's wage for one month
$60 - 8 pairs of underwear for each child i.e. 104 pairs of underwear
$100 - Electricity for the home for 6 months
It is often said that 'every little bit helps' and in this instance this phrase holds true. This orphanage is run in the most efficient and lean manner possible, however this is mostly out of necessity. No amount is too small and we appreciate anything you are able to contribute.
If you would like to help, please contact one of the International Members so we can answer any questions that you may have.
If you are ready to donate and you are in the USA you can make a secure, tax-deductible donation by credit card with 'Omprakash.org'. You can do this by clicking here:
https://omprakash.org/DonationForm?go=DonationForm&p=234
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