As part of the larger Mentorship and Leadership Program, students have started the Peace Program through The Prem Rawat Foundation. Every Saturday, the students gather at Khushi Ghar for a new session.

There are 10 sessions, each focused on a diffrent theme: Peace, Appreciation, Inner Strength, Self-awareness, Clarity, Understanding, Dignity, Choice, Hope, and Contentment.

The Program is designed for young adults to explore their inner resources through videos and group discussions. The students all agree the lessons learned have been beneficial and they look forward to their Peace Program Saturdays!

 

If you want to support our Mentorship Program, donate to support our students in Nepal!

The post Students Attend Peace Program offered by The Prem Rawat Foundation appeared first on HCC Nepal.

Two new students to the Khushi Ghar family are finding themselves right at home! Both students joined HCC at the start of the school year and we are so happy they are finding their way.

I’ve got to learn so many new things. This month we did many things. We celebrated Saraswati Puja. I had an event in my school that day. We worshiped goddess Saraswati by offering tika and garlands and taking blessings from her for knowledge and wisdom. I had lots of fun that day in school.

I got involved in PEP (Peace Education Program). We have 10 sessions of Peace Education Program in total. Among them, 4 sessions have already been completed. This session helps us to acknowledge peace which is within us and we don’t need to go anywhere to find it. It is a very useful and knowledgeable program for us.

This month one of our sponsors came to visit us. We all had a very useful conversation with him. He was a very nice and generous person. Bruce’s uncle also came to visit us. We talked about our second terminal examination, college experience and so on with him. He motivates us to study hard and do better next time.

We also had a mentorship program this month. We learn about mental health and its importance and impacts in our daily lives. We all members also share our views and experiences regarding mental health. 

In February, our school also organized the Met Gala Championship for three days. I had a lot of fun that day. I took part in an air hockey game. It was fun to take part in different activities and I enjoyed it a lot.

Talking about my second terminal examination, It was not so good. I scored very low marks in my computer science. I need to put more hard effort in math also. Next time, I’ll work hard and score better marks in my exam.

Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to the sponsor for all the love, support and help. Thank you so much. I’m very grateful for what I have now.

I experienced a lot of new things. Firstly, I got involved in the Peace Education Program every Saturday in Khushi Ghar. I am learning the ways to have peace and good moral ethics from these sessions. We also had a mentorship program this month. We talked about mental health in that session. We came up with many unique ideas to maintain good mental health and all of us shared different experiences which led us to have both good and bad mental health. We also welcomed one of the most helpful and motivational donors in our house and had a lot of fun conversation with him. He gave us so many ideas to do better in life at studies as well as career. I am really very grateful to meet and talk to him. Bruce uncle also came to visit us this month. I had many consultations with Bruce uncle too.We talked about our examinations, college, experience in Khushi Ghar and so on. He encouraged me to be better in my studies and life.

This month I also had many fun activities in my school. We had our Champions Gala. I participated in different games. I also had results of the second terminal examinations this month. I could have brought much nicer results than this time. And I will do better than this next time. I will study harder and be better than today.

I am always going to be thankful to my donors for  providing me with the best education. Thank you.

Donate to Nepal today!

The post New Students, Settling In appeared first on HCC Nepal.

 

Mom, sister, teacher, or aunt all contribute in their own unique ways. Women can be strong, smart, and kind. Without them it’s hard to think of a world, as they are the one who give us this beautiful life. 

Like every year we celebrate Women’s Day with joyful moments and beautiful memories.This year we had coincidence that  Women’s Day and Hinduism’s greatest festival Shiva Ratri was on the same day. 

Talking about Women’s Day, we had an amazing time celebrating Women’s Day in HCC( Himalayan Children Charity). We had a small program in the presence of Bruce’s uncle packed with cool stuff. Firstly, we meditated for a couple of minutes to be comfortable and to relax our mind. We heard some awesome poems and speeches about incredible women which empowers women. There were songs that made us feel strong, and dances that were both beautiful and powerful.

Group dance was entertaining in the end which made everyone  smile.The best part was the yummy food we all enjoyed together. It was a day full of joy, celebrating the strength and talents of women in the theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”  as it’s the theme for 2024.

Lastly, I would like to thank every woman in HCC i.e Sumir didi, Susan aunt  and especially Hira aunty who did not let us feel absence of a mother.

Sponsor a child and donate to Nepal today!

The post Woman’s Day 2024 appeared first on HCC Nepal.

I have been volunteering for a project called ‘Food for the Hungry’. In the early morning we gathered and started preparing food. We prepared fried rice and potato curry. We packed almost 50 to 60 packets of the food. We started from around 6 am in the morning and finished packing at around 8 am. Then we headed to Pashupatinath for the distribution. We carried the water and the food and 

then headed to the destination. We started the distribution to all the ones needed. The happy faces made our hearts flutter and we felt very glad that I got to be a part of the project. – Sonu

I volunteered with ‘Food for Hungry.’ We in Annex were part of the preparation step, cutting vegetables and cooking. The cooked food was placed into aluminum foil boxes and prepared for transportation. Our group distributed these meals to areas like Chabahil and Pashupatinath. It was heartwarming to see the joy on people’s faces as they received the food. – Sunita

The post January Volunteer Dispatch pt.1 appeared first on HCC Nepal.

In the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, a community in crisis was brought to our attention. In the years since, we have provided food assistance, warm clothing, school supplies, and more, while working towards larger projects, all made possible by partnerships with foundations like Charlie’s Heart Foundation, and Rotary International to help the remote, rural community of Benighat survive!

Recently, with the help of a group from the tiny island of La Reunion (east of Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean) we were able to commission new school furniture for the 5 schools in Benighat. The generous donation enabled us to not only provide classroom furniture, but support the local workers in Benighat who made the furniture.

Throughout the 5 schools we distributed 40 bench-desk sets, 115 cushions, 30 tables, 3 large work tables, a podium and carpet for 8 classrooms.

Being able to provide these basics makes a huge difference to the students, teachers and administrators and these unspeakably underfunded school. We are so grateful for the support and trust our sponsors have in up to provide these important services!!

Principal Bishnu Khadka, of Richok Irang Basic School wrote this letter of thanks:

Dear HCC,

On behalf of the school community, I am writing to express our sincere gratitude for the furniture support that you have provided to our school. The new furniture has made a significant difference in the quality of education for our students.

Prior to your support, our school was struggling to provide a comfortable and appropriate learning environment for our students. The old furniture was worn out and uncomfortable, and it was difficult to fit all of our students into the classrooms. As a result, many of our students were not able to focus on their studies, and their attendance was poor.

The new furniture has made a world of difference. The carpets are soft and comfortable, and the desks and chairs are the right size for our students. This has allowed our students to focus on their studies and improve their attendance. In addition, the new furniture has created a more inviting and stimulating learning environment.

For example, the new round tables have made it easier for students to collaborate on projects. The multi-colour desk benches have made it easier for students of different ages to sit together. And the comfortable carpets have made it easier for students to sit and read quietly.

The beneficiaries’ guardians are also grateful for the support that you have provided to our guardians.

As a result of your support, our school is now a more welcoming and supportive environment for our student’s education. We are grateful for your partnership, and we look forward to continuing to work with you to improve the quality of education for our students.

If you want to help support our outreach in Benighat, and beyond, donate today!

The post New Classroom Furniture in Benighat appeared first on HCC Nepal.

We raised almost $10k!

Mun Maya submitted this report on the distribution of winter clothing:

Children in rural communities may find it difficult to attend school every day and achieve their dreams due to a lack of proper school uniforms. There should be at least two dresses available for wearing and washing. There are many health problems associated with wearing a shabby, dirty, and torn dress. HCC has been providing school dress, personal care items, and school supplies to these students for the past two years. We felt that providing them with new winter clothes was the best decision that our team made.   

In the first week of February 2023, HCC staff Laxmi, Dinesh, Shristi, and HCC youth Koshish and HCC president Saraswati Tamang traveled through five schools in Benighat, Rorang  Dhading. 

1. Beldada Basic School
2. Maharudra Basic School
3. Richok Irang Basic School
4. Tinkanya Bageshwori School
5. Bhumisthan Basic School

During this trip, the HCC team distributed winter clothes that included pairs of warm school tracksuits, t-shirts, school shoes, socks, mufflers, caps, and handkerchiefs.The schools and families of the supported students were grateful for the support and expressed how it would positively affect the students’ lives. 

This positive impact on the lives of these students would not have been possible without your sponsors and donors. All the credit goes to you all. Thank you so much for supporting Himalayan Children’s Charities.  

If you want to help support our outreach in Benighat, and beyond, donate today!

The post Winter Warm Up Distribution appeared first on HCC Nepal.

Peak Students spread out around Kathmandu Valley in December to volunteer their time to help others. The students get to choose their organizations, so the projects were as different as our kids!

Angela, Manika, Pushpa and DIpa help orphaned children enjoy Christmas at the Twin Otters boys home. The girls wereable to help the boys with their homework, brought gifts, santa hats, cakes and games and spent the day spreading cheer.

“I was thrilled to have spent my time with the children. Seeing them smile from ear to ears after we entered the gate made my heart happy.  We cut the cake by singing Christmas carols. It was heartbreaking when we offered to cut the cake and they said that they don’t know how to. This made me realize how lucky we really are.  After doing a couple of activities, we gave them chocolates, noodles and juices as a Christmas gift. They were really happy to get the gifts. At the end we had to return. We could see the sad eyes bidding us goodbyes. We had a blast day with them. It was worth the day to remember. We were really happy to be part of their smiles even if it was for a day.” – Manika

Bina, Saraswati, Siwani and Chadani opted to spend a sunny morning cleaning up a strech of road near the girls annex. 

“As we worked, we chatted with each other and with passing pedestrians and drivers, who thanked us for our efforts. It was a great feeling to know that we were making a positive impact on our community, even in a small way.

As the morning went on, we made our way down the road, filling up more and more bags with trash. It was hard work, but it was also rewarding to see the difference we were making.

By the end of the morning, we had collected dozens of bags of trash and had cleaned up a significant stretch of road. It was a great sense of accomplishment and responsibility to be able to contribute to the well-being of our community in this way.” – Chadani

The students from the boys annex also participated in a neighborhood clean up! 

“People on the street thanked us for our efforts. It made us feel good that we could help. Throughout the day, we kept filling up more and more bags. It was satisfying to see the difference we were making. When we were through, we had gathered more than three bags of rubbish and cleaned up a sizable area of the road. The satisfaction of being able to help our community was wonderful. Overall, helping with my friends was a positive experience. I intend to repeat it and inspire others to participate.” – Harsha

Ambika opted for a volunteer opportunity in her field of veterinary medicine!

“I go every Sunday there and do some bandaging and treatment for the cats and dogs at Kat Center Nepal. I observe things done by doctors and vet nurses. I  also prepared some medicine required for the operation.  I feel really good at that place. The love and care for animals has grown much deeper. The place I volunteer is now a second home and a good place to learn for me. I am learning very good things along with the service I am doing for the animals. The importance of animals in our life is a must to understand us and to give love, care and support to them.” – Ambika

If you want to support our students in their efforts to elevate their world, donate today!

The post HCC Students Volunteer appeared first on HCC Nepal.

This report from Lower Dhading was prepared and written by HCC student, Rina.

On June 30th, we went on a trip to Lower Dhading. The purpose of our trip was to visit and provide necessary things for the students, which was supported by HCC. All together there were five of us: Dinesh, DP, Mun Maya, Arya and me.

On the day of our visit, we all gathered in Khushi Ghar at five-thirty in the morning. We had packed up packages and bags with school supplies, as well as personal care items. Once they were arranged into the exterior seat of the car, we began our journey to Dhading.

On the way to Dhading, we had several different funny and interesting talks with each other. During our discussions, we also enjoyed the mesmerizing sceneries of mountains, hills and paddy fields. Around 8AM, we stopped near Khaja Ghar for breakfast, which consisted of paratha, boiled eggs, chana, and coffee for breakfast. As soon as we finished, we headed towards Baireni.

Our first meeting place was at Success Academy School in Baireni, Dhading. The students supported by HCC had all gathered there, with huge smiles across their faces; they were incredibly happy to see us. This made us feel warmly welcomed. Later on, we met with the students one by one asking them about their school, family, as well as their life in general. The questions were asked  Mun Maya and Dinesh, Arya noted down every different detail of the students, DP handed out the different bags and packages, and I was assigned the role of the photographer. Each student was given 6,000 NRS. This amount of money will aid them in buying basic necessities. Additionally we questioned some newer students, which would also be provided with scholarships, school supplies and personal care items.

When we finished our meeting with the students at Birene, we began our journey to Dhading Besi. On the way, we stopped by a hotel for lunch. The food there was incredibly delicious, especially the soup that consisted of local chicken; that was our favorite! After lunch, we continued traveling to Dhading Besi. Also on the way, we picked up the father of five Magar kids that are supported by HCC. These children go to the Advanced Academy School, and stay in a school hostel. The father and his children were reunited after a couple months, so he ended up joining us on our voyage to spend some time with his very own. 

Our second meeting destination was at Advanced Academy School, where the father’s kids study. Once again, we were happily welcomed. Similarly to the Success School, there we also met up with the students individually, where they were asked about their learning, and their well-being. We then distributed bags/packages, along with NRS 6000/ thousand to each student, just like at the other school. Scholarships were also given out to several deserving students, whom were also new.

We all had light snacks on the way back home to Kathmandu, which we arrived at around seven at night.

All together, we met forty-seven students that consisted of both new and old ones. The children seemed very pleased and thankful for being provided with such scholarships.

Overall, the trip was amazing. As for Arya and me, this was a new one.  It was very refreshing, for us, to be able to help children in need of a more prominent future. We hope to do this again very soon!

Rina Bhandari

If you want to help support our outreach in Dhading, and beyond, donate today!

The post Lower Dhading Update from Rina appeared first on HCC Nepal.

All 292 students received new uniforms. Uniforms are required and many students end up wearing very tattered and dirty clothes to school to fulfill the requirement. The two new uniforms each child received will make it easier to clean or repair their uniforms.

We provided stationery items such as paper, packs of pencils and colored pencils, pens, a pencil case, erasers, sketch books, and rulers to 194 students to help in their studies and academic performance. 

Additionally, we distributed personal hygiene items such as soap, hair oil, toothbrush, toothpaste, hair comb, vaseline cream, nail cutter, etc to 194 students. 

We helped educated them on the benefits and importance of good personal hygiene in preventing children from picking up or spreading germs and infectious diseases.

Each child received the stationary and personal care packed in new backpacks for them to carry to school.

There is a lot of work to be done to help this community, and all the schools and families of the supported students who received the support were grateful and said that the support of the organization will make a positive impact in the students lives. 

Other stories about the students and families in Benighat:

One Child at a Time

Benighat Update From Mun Maya

Benighat Food Distribution Saves Lives

If you want to help support our outreach in Benighat, and beyond, donate today!

The post Supplies for Benighat Schools appeared first on HCC Nepal.

For the last seven years, Himalayan Children’s Charities has been supporting students and families in rural Nepal. What began as educational support for children orphaned by the 2015 earthquakes, has evolved into dynamic outreach programs that include wifi towers, computer labs, anti-human trafficking awareness, menstrual hygiene classes and food support for a neglected and marginalized segment of the Nepali population. We have cultivated a network of humanitarians, local government and school officials who alert us to dire need in these areas and communities. It was through this network that we learned of the critical need for food in Benighat, Dhading at the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020. This community, which is composed of mostly Chepang and Magar families, suffers from widespread poverty, food insecurity, lack of running water and sanitation. The five schools we are supporting to improve opportunities need everything from books to toilets; and even then, they are limited to grade 5 by geography. The nearest upper level school is two hours away. 

In January 2021, after this introduction to the Benighat community, HCC graduate and HCC-Nepal executive director, Mun Maya Rawal read an article in a local paper about mounting suicide rates in rural areas of Nepal. The article sighted a family from the Magar community in Benighat who had lost their mother to suicide and their father was suffering from a debilitating alcohol addiction. The children were fending for themselves, and the eldest daughter, only 12, has been caring for her younger siblings, ages 10, 8, and 3 year old twins for the last year. These 5 children were living in squalor, surviving on the one meal a day provided by the school.

Right away, HCC was able to provide warm clothing, school supplies and much needed food support for the children. And in May of 2022 we received permission from the father to move the children. To ensure their safety and care, we enrolled them in an English-Medium boarding school in Dhading Besi, that we have been working with since 2016. In this new environment, we are already seeing the children prosper. Not having adult care for over a year left the children malnourished; they had head lice and their basic hygiene had suffered. 

As residents of the hostel school, they have their own beds, 3 meals a day and the personal care all children deserve. This is a wonderful change of circumstance for these 5 children that have been through so much and lived in such dire conditions. There are 295 more children in Benighat that are also in need of help. Poverty and circumstance makes them vulnerable to early drop out, child labor, child marriage, and human trafficking. They need clean water, basic hygiene and food support. By investing in their education and well-being, we are investing in the next generation of Nepal.

If you want to help support our outreach in Benighat, and beyond, donate today!

The post One Child at a Time appeared first on HCC Nepal.