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.

Mun Maya and Laxmi traveled to Dhading to deliver backpacks with supplies and warm track suits for the children supported by HCC.

They meet with each student individually to insure they are keeping up with their studies.

Many of the students have some surviving family, but without support they wouldn’t be able to stay in school. Children in remote districts, like Dhading, are especially vulnerable to early marriage and human trafficking. 

Your support makes this work possible! Donate today to help us continue to provide education and bright futures for these students!

The post First Dhading Trip of the Year appeared first on HCC Nepal.

Saraswati, Siwani, Barsha & Kamala with their crafts.

On June 14th, 2019 we held an open house fundraising event at Khushi Ghar. The objective was to encourage the students of Himalayan Children’s Charities (HCC) to showcase their talent and take advantage of their leisure period between exams. It was also an opportunity for students to acquire new skills such as event management, fundraising and marketing, and showcase their artistic abilities such as painting and handicraft production. The event was also intended as a way for Kathmandu-based HCC family and friends to come out to support the students and staff.  The event was successful in many ways, including in raising our confidence in seeing such a big project to completion, and also in raising funds for our upcoming HCC student Sewa Project.

Tripti, Siwani and Saraswati preparing for the big day.

The preparation for this event started 3 weeks beforehand. The event was organized by the youth of HCC, with the guidance of our Student Coordinator, Hira Sapkota.

Fresh donuts

There were a total of 4 types of items that we made and sold at the event: jewelry (earrings, necklaces, and keyrings), foods such as pickles (radish, chili, mango, and Sichuan pepper) as well as rice-flour doughnuts with flax seeds, hand-stitched goods, such as cushions, bags, and mufflers, acrylic and watercolor paintings, and pencil drawings.

Angela, Sonu & Manika display their jewelry.

The jewelry was made by the students with materials and tools that were donated by supporters in the USA.

The pickle ingredients were bought from the local vegetable shop, then washed, cut and dried in the sun and mixed with the spices and made into pickles.

The cushions were made with recycled saris and other cloth. All of the sewing, stitching, knitting, and other handiwork was done by us, with the support of our sewing teacher, Manju Gautam.

Chadani setting up.

The paintings and drawings were done by the students who were interested in visual art, with mentorship and the supervision of renowned Nepali artist Kiran Manandhar. 

Art by Kiran Manandhar.

We worked hard to complete all of the items in the short time we had, but it was fun and refreshing. We also sharpened our skills in the various crafts, learned about time management, and realized that together we can accomplish great things in a short time. 

Everybody was very nervous and excited on the day of the event.  We started decorating for the occasion early in the morning. We placed the lights, set up the tents, and organized the tables and various stalls. We hung the paintings as well as photos collages of the students. Every one of us were given responsibilities to take care of in the lead up to the event.  Chadani, (grade 12), and Ram (2nd year bachelors) were the emcees.

There was an opening dance by Sunita (grade 12), followed by short speeches by the chief guests. Then the guests visited the stalls and bought some handicrafts, paintings and food items to support our cause. 

Homemade pickles- the top sellers.

A number of items were sold, and the best-selling items of all were the pickles. The students had fun practicing their marketing and sales skills by convincing guests to buy the items at their stalls. It was a bit difficult, but also a new and fun experience for all. 

The finished painting Ram created.

The most exciting part of the evening followed, with the live paintings done by Kiran Manandhar, along with Ram Tamang and Rukmani Dhital (graduate student who is now an art teacher). And tea, coffee and cookies were offered to the guests. 

More than 75 guests attended the fundraising event, which was more people than we expected. Attendees included the principals and teachers of the boarding schools where younger HCC students go, Reliance Residential School and Kavya school. Board members of HCC USA, HCC Nepal, and Creating Possibilities Nepal were also present.

Kaman with Israeli Ambassador, Benny Omer

Kamala, Sunita, Manita Devkota & Angela

Other notable guest included his Excellency the Ambassador of Israel, HCC co-founder Bruce Kennan, renowned artist and Creating Possibilities Nepal’s President Kiran Mandandhar, and 2018 Miss Nepal Universe Manita Devkota. Graduated students also came for the event. Various businesses and organizations sponsored the event and were recognized with a banner that was hung up for all to see, including the Karuna Foundation, Nagarik Awaj, and Aarati Steel. 

In the end, we raised approximately 149,350 [$1650 USD]. We were proud to be able to put on such an event and be able to give back to more motivated and needy students.

Sunita preforming the welcome dance.

“I was chosen to perform the welcome dance at the fundraising event. I was very nervous and excited at the same time. My performance was admired by everyone present on that day. This event was successful with the equal help and support of the HCC family. The funds raised at the program was satisfying, and everyone was happy in the end.” – Sunita (Grade 12)

The emcees.

“It was a great honor and challenging work at the same time to be the emcee of the huge program. It not only helped me to overcome my fear of public speaking but also how to conduct the big events.”- Chadani (Grade 12)

“It was my absolute pleasure to have renowned artist Kiran Manandhar as my art teacher. It was a dream come true to have an opportunity to work and learn from him. I enjoyed painting with all those beautiful colors. I was at top of the mountain when

Art by Kaman

everyone praised my work and bought some of my paintings. It gave me hope for the days to come, and at the same time I feel encouraged to do more to bring the best out of me.”- Kaman (Bachelor 1st Year)

Donate to support future endeavors by our generous students! 

The post Students at Khushi Ghar Host an Open House Fundraiser! appeared first on HCC Nepal.

Barsa, originally from eastern Nepal, lost her father when she was a small baby. He died of complications due to alcoholism, leaving her young mother unable to care for her. She was brought to an orphanage by her grandmother, eventually making her way to HCC. 

I am Barsa studying in Grade 12 taking core management as my main subject. My board exam is after two months, and for better performance, I am studying accountancy in a private tutoring center which is a half an hour walk from Khushi Ghar. I want to build my career in the accountancy field and also for better marks I am taking this tutoring.

I am also tutoring two of the new students- Goma and Rama who are studying in Grade 9 and 10 respectively. The subject that they are getting help from me is Mathematics. It has been two and a half months and I am happy about it as I am getting to experience something new in the field of teaching. This is my first paying job. Goma and Rama are studying in a government school and they sometimes have a hard time understanding the terms in English. So, it’s challenging and also a good opportunity for me to teach them new subject matter each weekend, .i.e. on Saturday for two hours.

Besides this, I am knitting a muffler and helping in Khushi Ghar. As my exam is approaching, I am devoting most of my time in studies. Last weekend we (Shristi, Siwani and I) went to Syambhunath, a Buddhist temple. Siwani was mesmerized by the beauty of the temple and it was her first visit to this temple. We went there on the occasion of Saraswati Puja (the day to worship the Goddess of Wealth).

Thank you for helping me and making my every day more glorious and beautiful.

The post Himalayan Children’s Charities Student Updates: Barsa appeared first on HCC Nepal.

Last week, HCC sponsor Sherry Jones hosted an enchanting, fun-filled evening for 15 fortunate HCC supporters to enjoy a magnificent spread by renowned chef, Andrea Anichini from the Chianti region in Tuscany, Italy, all for the purpose of raising funds to support the needs of our students.

For this special dinner, Sherry and Jeff’s stunning home provided the perfect ambiance. Its beautiful style and details reveal the extent to which its architect and the previous owner, Walter Carry, was influenced by the great Frank Lloyd Wright. An HCC Advisory Board member since 2014, Sherry is no stranger to event planning, as she often volunteers her time and expertise to make HCC events creative, seamless and exciting. Well known for throwing parties with good vibes and fun times, she created the perfect atmosphere to experience the incomparable cuisine from Chef Anichini.

Famed throughout Tuscany for his impeccable organic cooking using only local ingredients and only olive oil, never butter, Chef Andrea and his business partner Maurizio Matassoni flew here from Italy to specially prepare a sumptuous feast for our private dinner. He informed us about the traditions of Tuscan cuisine being hearty and uncomplicated, and without the dousing of tomato sauce as is customary of Italian food in America. Starting with a potato and leek galette, he followed with homemade tortelloni with mushroom sauce, branzino and roasted Tuscan vegetables, and a flourless chocolate cake with strawberries.  Every dish was paired with wine from their local vineyards, fresh from Chianti.

Chef Andrea’s culinary vision and Sherry’s flawless hosting made for a fabulous night full of lively, generous people enjoying laughs, delicious food, and pitch-perfect wine. This $200 per plate event raised needed funds for HCC students like Sita, who is currently recovering from a surgery to repair a deformed arm, that was broken and improperly set from her early childhood.

HCC’s events serve to fund the immediacy of our orphaned, abandoned and at-risk students’ needs, particularly adequate food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, education and emotional support. By the end of 2020, we hope to transform the lives of 5,000+ orphaned, abandoned and at-risk children in Nepal through education, mentorship and nurturing care. Each action by a supporter, no matter how small, contributes to our success. A Tuscan Dinner Party proved to be a fun night with friends that tremendously increased the quality of life for one little girl, for the rest of her life.

To find out more about how you can host an HCC event for your friends, reach out to us on our contact page. 

The post Supporter’s Tuscan Dinner Party Celebrates Philanthropy and Fun appeared first on HCC Nepal.

“Why Nepal?” It’s a question I get asked often. Susan and I have dedicated the past 17 years of our life to transforming the lives of at-risk children in Nepal, yet there are many places in the world experiencing hardship. It is very difficult to accurately describe to western donors the level of poverty that exists in Nepal, which is one of the poorest countries in the world.

The Girl Who Started it All – Bruce met this girl sweeping floors in a tea room in Nepal in 1999 and was moved to action.

In 1999, while hiking in Nepal, I met a small, 7-year-old girl, orphaned and working sweeping floors in a tea house, lacking in basic education, and vulnerable to trafficking.  I was motivated to make a difference in the lives of kids like her.  We were called to action to provide a safe haven for vulnerable children and began with the belief that if we could change the life of one child for the better, our work would be a success, and we wanted to provide a solution to poverty that would last a lifetime, rather than a day. We were called to develop a methodology that would not only provide orphaned and abandoned children with an education to support themselves but also with a civic purpose that would create a generation of leaders uniquely equipped to break the cycle of poverty.

In 2016, we experienced first-hand how an HCC education can create a generation of leaders dedicated to giving back. Our first class of graduated students makes us proud every day, not only with their self-sufficiency but with their persistent energy in working to transform their own communities and in their enthusiasm to give back to the younger students in HCC. For us, this is a time of celebration! Not only are we celebrating the achievements of 2016, but we look forward, with hope and vigor, to a prosperous 2017 and an expanded future.

I am excited to announce that we have applied for 3 grants from UNESCO in Florence, Italy, receiving positive feedback on the quality and substance of our grant requests. The awarding of even one of those requests would be a massive boon to the implementation of our mission to transform the lives of 5,000+ children by 2020. This includes our hope for 2017 to reach more of the earthquake orphans in the other 13 districts of Nepal. Using the model we have developed with our Dhading Children’s Initiative, we could have a great effect on the lives of earthquake orphaned and abandoned children living in the most remote and rural areas of Nepal. I believe with $150,000 in additional funding, we can reach these children to not only provide the academic support to keep them in school but to provide the social and emotional support to help them process their emotional trauma. As our success in Dhading, this past year has proved, there is no child too out of reach to be helped.

Along with our work in Nepal, we have rededicated our effort to get the word out here in the United States. In addition to community events like our upcoming Winter Blues Fundraiser event in New York City, we are looking into every opportunity for speaking engagements here in the United States to help further the mission of HCC. Both myself, and our Director of Nepal Program Development, Sadie Green, will be scheduling events to address the vital and necessary work of HCC through a talk called “Transformation in Nepal.” Specifically, we are hoping to participate in a TEDx talk, and we are open to any suggestions about potential speaking engagements from any of our supporters.

Finally, I am so grateful for the support we have been getting from you, our donors, over the last 17 years. I am continually blown away by the love and support from our HCC community for children that have experienced such hardships. The tireless work of our supporters on behalf of at-risk children continually leaves me with great hope for this world and for our future. Thank you for your continued support, engagement, and open heart. You lead by example in demonstrating the difference a dedicated group of individuals can make.

With Gratitude,

Bruce Keenan

The post From the Founder’s Desk: Why Nepal? appeared first on HCC Nepal.

RSVP by joining our Facebook Event 

The post HCC Nepal Winter Blues Fundraiser in NYC! appeared first on HCC Nepal.

How to write about the poverty in Nepal without reducing it all to impersonal numbers and imperial statistics? Yes, Nepal is one of the least developed countries in the world, with staggering levels of poverty, discrimination, and lack of infrastructure. But these words don’t even begin to explain the lived experience of an orphaned or abandoned child.

The people I know there are survivors, and they are the reason I have chosen to focus my fight on poverty in Nepal. Being able to make a positive impact in the lives of children through my work with HCC means the world to me. And I’m happy to give up the comforts I’m used to in America to see more children safe, happy, healthy, and able to pursue their dreams.

A couple of weeks ago, I had a particularly difficult few days, full of blunt reminders about the difficult realities of life in Nepal, and also of the power and responsibility we have to make a difference. The week I met Monika was the same week I heard about another young Nepali woman who died in a menstrual shed in the cold night hours. And another young mother from a so-called “low caste” who was violently murdered after being accused of witchcraft. That week there were also political strikes that threatened to shut down the government and stopped business as usual for two days, and I witnessed a gruesome (and preventable) vehicular homicide on my way to work. I see a lot of heartbreaking circumstances in Nepal, but I always keep hope at the forefront and stay solution oriented.

Monika. Monika is an indigenous little girl from a remote, mountainous area who is just 5 years old. Her situation is critical. For almost three years, she has had no parents to look after her, feed her, clothe her, or take care of her when she is sick. Since the 2015 earthquakes, she has been roaming from village to village, and displaced persons camp to displaced persons camp, begging for food and a warm place to lay her head at night. She is spunky and smart. She speaks two languages (a local language and Nepali), plus she can recite her ABCs in English. She loves to play with other children and eat candy. She is also a dancer, and she has a show-stopping smile.

When we arrived at the displaced persons camp in Rasuwa district where she often stays, she had been absent for several days and her whereabouts were unknown. We were finally able to locate her several villages over, where a villager had been feeding and providing her with shelter. She was dirty and smelled of urine, but I was relieved to see that she had on a warm jacket – purchased for her by an uncle, a migrant worker, with a donation from another NGO. We heard that she is known to lose her clothing, as she often trades pieces in for food to eat. We gathered with a group of community elders and several members of her extended family to discuss her future. In the dirt-floored, makeshift shelter with haphazard walls and roofing, and no running water, plumbing, or electricity, we sat amidst the thick smoke from the cooking fire and the cigarettes. It was decided by all that Monika deserves better.

Through our efforts – our meetings, our connections, our visits, we have been able to get Monika a place in an internationally recognized and award-winning program in Kathmandu. There, she’ll be able to have her basic needs met, attend a good school, and remain in contact with her family. The fact that Monika can grow up in a safe, healthy, loving environment with resources and opportunities gives me hope. That myself, and the rest of the HCC team (including university graduated HCC students who now work with us to help run HCC’s programs) are able to help provide care, education, and mentorship to Monika and other children is what keeps me going.

There are many problems in the world, and major issues in Nepal left to overcome. But as I sit here in HCC’s Khushi Ghar – a sanctuary for wonderful, intelligent, worthy, and otherwise forgotten children and youth, and a place currently full of their laughter and music – I know I’m in the right place doing the right thing.

I give my eternal gratitude, respect, and appreciation to all who make this work possible through their continued generous support and contributions to HCC.

Love,

Sadie

The post Why Nepal? Director of Nepal Program Development Looks to 2017 appeared first on HCC Nepal.

How did you first learn about the opportunity to work with HCC students?

I had been a founding member of Creating Possibilities Nepal, a partner Organization of HCC in Nepal, thus I have been involved in the activities carried out by HCC/CP. This gave me an idea to create a special event for the exposure of the talent and creativity of these children, which lead to this idea of a ballet coming to life.

How did you begin to facilitate the brainstorming process to create the piece? Was it clear from the students what they wanted to create?

Once I developed the plot in my mind, I shared the idea with the children for their consent and opinions. In fact, my idea was to hire an external artist for the performance based on the story of these children. But the children were very enthusiastic and committed to performing. I thought why not let them have this opportunity so that the ballet is performed by the owner of the story itself. They were pretty clear on what, and they were confident that they could express it in the ballet.

How did you help students incorporate their own ideas?

Once the plot was shared with the students, they came up with many ideas, which I recorded/ documented and gave shape. Their views were incorporated significantly as our idea is to boost them up.  For example, the last scene, I had thought of separation but the children recommended the reconciliation and to show how the boy’s family realized their mistake.

How involved were the students in the writing of the narrative of the ballet? Did they write the story as a group?

They were fully involved and the workshop model was followed to develop the narrative, giving as much as possible space for everybody, which was challenging as a director/ conceptualizer but rewarding in the case of getting close to the spirit.

How involved were the students in choreographing the ballet? Did they choreograph as a group?

Yes, they were very excited and enthusiastic but it is a creative process, thus they were directed and guided.  But they were fully involved in every step and whatever has been made is made with their full consensus.

Do you have a particular artistic process that you subscribe to when you make your own work?

Yes, as a part of creation, the process has to be followed but I tried to make it as open as possible as I was making with the young and fresh people but more importantly with the people whom the story belonged to.

What artists are you especially inspired by?

There are many artists I admire but I feel close to the theater artists. I am a dancer too! But every time I am involved in this kind of event, I put my energy to make it simple, creative and expressive but not overburdened by the challenges and difficulties.

What role, if any, should the arts play in education? What is the value of learning about and participating in the arts as a student?

The role of arts in education is greatly important. One act or expression could be defined in thousands of words.  More than that in this kind of practice as the students not only think but also be the part of the process, which helps them to grow and acquire confidence and to live with the issue.

Finally, how would you describe our HCC students to someone who has never met them?

They are amazingly great youngsters and are not less than any other children who come from the normal family background. They are disciplined, well-mannered and committed to learning something new.  They respect seniors and listen to them well. They are fabulous children who will grow as great global citizens.

Click here to watch the full performance of Rainbow: The Colors of Life

The post The Value of Arts Education at HCC: An Interview with Neelu Sapkota appeared first on HCC Nepal.

“Picnic is an excursion taken by the family members or friends outside for a refreshment and a reunion. Likewise, this year we planned to go for a family picnic to get ourselves away from the Kathmandu valley for a refreshment. We planned a picnic to go to a famous resort: Norling Resort and Spa. As planned, the picnic became a successful one. We had made a schedule for our departure time, lunchtime, time to take selfies and this was the best part as everyone enjoyed it. The games time, snacks and the dance time were equally rejuvenating and funfilled. The entire Khushi Ghar family enjoyed it to the fullest and had a great experience in the resort.”

-Jasmati

The post Quick Quote: Jasmati’s Experience at the HCC Annual Picnic appeared first on HCC Nepal.