The visit to the local municipality and Uttargaya Public English School on December 28 2023, allowed HCC Nepal to strengthen its connection with the local community. The monitoring activities conducted by the team will contribute to the ongoing improvement of our educational support programs. Furthermore, the distribution of winter supplies reflects our commitment to addressing the holistic needs of the students we serve.

The post Rasuwa Visit 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.

Past two and present years have been more challenging for all of us. HCC has been helping and is still finding a way to help and support our students and their families. The pandemic has left thousands of children without access to school and school meals, which is sometimes the only food they eat all day.

We are grateful to be able to distribute and provide school supplies and food relief items so that the students can continue to learn without a hungry stomach at home. 

On 9th of August, 2021 HCC Nepal team Mun Maya, Laxmi and Dinesh made a day trip to Tinkanya Bageshworee School, Rorang-3, Benighat with school supplies for 106 students and  food  relief for 3 neediest families.

During the visit HCC team distributed:

1. School supplies (notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners)
2. COVID relief supplies( sack of rice, salt, sugar, beans, pulses, cooking oil, soybeans etc)

None of what we do is possible without donors and supporters.Thank you from all of us and from the communities we serve. We will continue our educational supplies and food relief programs.

To support this and future HCC projects, donate today.

The post Benighat Update From Mun Maya appeared first on HCC Nepal.

Benighat, Dhading, Nepal

In Nepal, the second wave of COVID-19 has affected people of all ages severely. With a higher rate of infections and death among parents and caregivers, many children have been left orphaned.

Considering this growing concern, HCC has been working closely with the local authorities in Benighat, Rorang in Dhading district to plan for relief packages.

Benighat is a rural municipality that spans 29.17 square kilometers (11.26 sq miles), and most residents are employed in the farming and fishing industries, which have been hit hard by the pandemic.

On the 27th of June 2021, HCC’s dedicated staff members Mun Maya, Dinesh Raj and Dp Aryal, with support from the local government in Dhading, provided immediate relief packages that included a sacks of rice, salt, sugar, beans, lentils, cooking oil, soybeans, etc.

HCC is working diligently to supplement efforts made by the local government, to prepare caregivers in case of another outbreak.

Our local partner FUNKids Nepal aided in distribution of  packages to the families in the presence of the local government. HCC is committed to continuing support, based on the local government standard guidelines.

We would like to thank all our donors,  supporters and partners for their donations and effort to support HCC in bringing aid to the people of Benighat.  Your donations really make a difference for the families in our community.

Report filed by Mun Maya Rawal

Want to contribute to help these needy families? Donate today!

The post Benighat Food Distribution Saves Lives appeared first on HCC Nepal.

Ambika:
I was very happy to hear my result. We have a grading system in Nepal. I got 3.70 GPA. After completion of grade ten, we are called to the school after our results are published. Likewise, I was called to the school. I went to school with my friends. I was very excited to go back to my school again. We were honored in the school. We distributed sweets to all the students and teachers. I enjoyed each and every moment at the time. The door for my good education opened because of your support. So thank you so much for your support in each and every step of my life. This wouldn’t be possible without your love and support. I am sure one day I’ll make you, my family and everyone around me proud.

Sonu:
I am very happy for my SEE results which I passed with good grades (3.70). We were called by the school on the next day after the results. We were welcomed warmly with KHADAS [traditional ceremonial scarf]. I enjoyed my SEE break and I’ve learned a lot during these holidays. I will be joining my College in the next month. Thank you so much for your kind support. Your support can help me do the best in my future.

Chadani:
My happiness knew no bounds when I heard my SEE result where I passed with GPA 3.70 (A+). I along with my friends were honored in school because of our best attempt in an exam with the best result. We even distributed sweets to our teacher. Now I probably have a month to join high school. Thank you so much for your kind support and help. Your support always motivates me to do better and better in my everyday life.

Tripti:
I am very happy about my results. It was in grading and my GPA is 2.85. After my results, we were called in school and welcome with a beautiful scarf. I decided to study Hotel Management. On my vacation, I learned different activities like life skills; manpower; leadership; etc. I also learned sewing, cooking. It was really fun and entertaining.
Thank you so much for your love, help and kind support.

Sunita:
I passed my SEE with 3.7 (A+). I was very happy when I heard my SEE result. I am very thankful to you all for giving me an opportunity to get a better education.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND HELP.

Your support is essential, donate today!

The post In Their Own Words – Students on Passing Their SEEs appeared first on HCC Nepal.

For 20 years, Artur lived in Miami and would spend time living in Italy at different periods, although currently, he is living in New York City. However, in 2008, Artur finally had a chance to live his dream. “It took me 30 years,” Artur said, “but I finally had enough to leave everything and ride my motorcycle [around the world].” Artur traveled from Miami to Brazil, back north to Alaska, and then shipped his motorcycle to Germany and from Europe, eventually rode his way to Asia.

While in China, on the border of Tibet, Artur witnessed a great deal of poverty affecting families and children especially. A devout Buddhist, Artur discovered a stark contrast between the beautiful, ancient temples in Tibet and the poverty of the local people. It was there that Artur first realized that he was missing something in his life: the importance of giving back to those most in need.

In 2013, Artur returned from his travels and returned to working in Italy and eventually making his way to New York City. In that time, he had developed an interest in Nepal, and the deep history of Buddhism in Nepal. He realized that he was looking for an opportunity to give back to the people of Nepal, particularly the children. After reaching out to HCC’s friends at The Dharma Shop a few weeks ago, he was referred to HCC. Artur realized that HCC was the organization he had been looking for in order to make a difference in the lives of at-risk children. He promptly sold his motorcycle for $7,000 and donated all of the proceeds to HCC.

“I feel so happy, you have no idea,” Artur said after giving to HCC, “I am relaxed in my heart [and]…back in my spiritual life.” When asked about what’s the best way to start if one wants to make a difference in the world, he says “be a dreamer! There is no life without dreams-and there is no giving without dreams either.”

Thank you, Artur, for your stunning gift of generosity. Your compassion and your dreams are inspiring. We are so thrilled to welcome you to the HCC family, and so grateful for your support of orphaned, abandoned and at-risk children.

The post Supporter Donates Proceeds of Motorcycle Sale to HCC Kids appeared first on HCC Nepal.

Renowned Nepali social activist Indira Ranamagar visited HCC youth home Khushi Ghar to speak with HCC students. With a similar background to many of our students, Indira offered inspiring words, only further fueling our students’ energy to make a difference in the world.  

Born into poverty in rural Nepal, Indira was prevented from attending school as a child due to her gender. Instead, she taught herself the basics while sitting with her brothers as they did their homework. She practiced her letters by scratching them in the dirt outside with a stick. Eventually, she was allowed to attend school and graduated at the top of her class. She moved to Kathmandu and became a teacher. It was in Kathmandu where she became acquainted with Bishnu Kumari Waiba or Parijat. A famed Nepali writer and advocate, Parijit fought for the rights of political prisoners. It was through this work that Indira learned the ins and outs of the Nepali justice system and became interested in prisoners’ rights.

In 2000, she founded her own NGO in Nepal, Prisoner’s Assistance Nepal. She works to provide safe, supportive lodging and education for children whose parents are imprisoned. Currently, Prisoner’s Assistance Nepal runs 4 youth homes, 2 schools and dozens of other sundry projects. In a recent interview with the BBC, Indira estimated that she has helped 1,600 students so far. She has won many awards for her activism work, including the World Children’s Honorary Award, presented to her by Queen Silvia of Sweden.

Upon her recent visit to Khushi Ghar, Indira gave a lecture for HCC students, sharing her personal story about her upbringing, finding her true passion with her NGO, and even some of the challenges she faces today as an activist. Many of the students saw themselves in her, with many sharing her poor, rural background. Students were left incredibly inspired and empowered, excited to keep working to become community leaders.

Thank you, Indira, for visiting us and sharing your story. Thank you most of all for the incredible difference you make every day in the lives of Nepali children, inspiring the next generation of leaders around the world.

The post Renowned Nepali Activist Indira Ranamagar Visits Khushi Ghar appeared first on HCC Nepal.

Signature student Jasmati speaks in Peer Pressure workshop

We are thrilled to announce “Leadership” as our central theme for 2018. All year, we will be highlighting the extraordinary leaders and examples of leadership in our global HCC community. Committed HCC supporters like you have activated the multitude of accomplishments of HCC students and graduates in 2017, ushering in a new era of leadership for HCC. With the help of HCC staff, senior students and graduates registered their own in-country NGO, allowing them the opportunity for future key leadership roles in the development, design, and implementation of HCC programming. Our students have taken on leadership roles in the community, utilizing their university training to assist in local schools and service projects; one student even interned with medical researchers from the University of British Columbia in sickle cell research. Embodying our cornerstone philosophy of “Leaders Training Leaders,” our students have taken on leadership roles in their communities with the intention of giving back.

Student reading anti-trafficking comic

We began 2018 by continuing our Anti-Trafficking Campaign in rural schools at the start of International Human Trafficking Awareness Month. The campaign helps students and community members take charge by obtaining a greater awareness of the prevalence of human trafficking in Nepal and recognizing and avoiding potential trafficking situations. We continue to train future leaders in rural communities through our EOSP and DCI programs by preparing students for higher education. Finally, senior students in the Signature Program had the opportunity to speak about peer pressure in an Alfateen workshop in partnership with The Umbrella Foundation and StartUp4Kids NL, hosted at our Kathmandu youth home, Khushi Ghar. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Umbrella Foundation for more workshops in 2018 and the opportunity for student leadership that comes with them.

Best friends in Dhading

With all this in just a month of January alone, we anticipate even more student leadership in 2018. We are filled with immense gratitude for the leadership exhibited by our supporters and sponsors in the US and abroad who make all of this possible. Supporters have generously given their time, connections, and expertise to continue to bolster HCC’s network, finances, and exposure. From large projects like  hosting and volunteering on fundraisers across the US, to spreading the word on a smaller, more local scale via social media, HCC supporters  continue to provide a stunning example of how to give back as a global community.

Would you like to participate in our year of leadership? Visit our “How to Help” section above to get started! Thank you for your active support of HCC.

The post HCC 2018: Year of Leadership appeared first on HCC Nepal.

The educational camp was conducted with an objective to provide educational materials and skills to students while teaching them different kinds of games, interacting with them and helping students learn more about themselves. 140 students were provided with a bag, notebook, pencil, pen, colored pencils, toothpaste and brush,  and soap. It was the first time the students at this school in Sindhupalchowk had visitors from another country come and spend time with them and sharing experiences together. Sima, currently in grade 7, said of the camp experience

“So many organizations like this came and went but we never felt much attachment, but we feel sad to say goodbye to them. Please brother, bring them again to our village…They taught us so many games and also gave us educational materials.”

There were 14 people on the leadership team (8 from Singapore and 6 from Nepal). The team was led by Khil and Sajana along with local coordinator Hari Chandra Khadka who supported us by coordinating with the school in Sindhupalchowk, ensuring proper lodging and meals for students and leaders. A rousing success, we would like to thank all the children for their enthusiastic participation and sharing their valuable time. We would especially like to thank our partners in this effort, Shiny Munchkins from Singapore and Girls Empowered by Travel Nepal. This incredible opportunity for fun, learning, and global partnership would not have been possible without their hard work and excitement in offering new opportunities for students.

The post HCC Co-Sponsors 2 Day Educational Camp with Teams from Nepal and Singapore appeared first on HCC Nepal.