 |
|
Light Orphanage Nepal, Gangabu, Baluwatar
|
|
|
Light Orphanage Nepal was established in 1999 in Balaju, a busy area in Kathmandu where lots of migrants arrive from different parts of Nepal in search of better lives. The Orphanage opened by occupying 2 floors of a 4 storey building and took in orphaned and homeless children who were living in streets. They were surviving either by begging or working. The Orphanage gives the children food, shelter and provides education. It hoped one day the children will who grow to become good citizens.
In the beginning of 2009, Light Orphanage Nepal shifted from Balaju to a new location in Gangabu. The rent in the old place had become exorbitant. There was shortage of water also and the place had become busy and noisy. The new place is tucked away from the main road. The market place and the children’s school aren’t far from the new location also. The Orphanage hopes that the new place will provide the children with a conducive environment to study and feel like their home.
The Orphanage currently only raises 6 children. With the new place and the right infrastructure, the Orphanage is ready to take in more children and provide them with a home.
Why Light Orphanage Nepal needs Volunteers
Children playing games in the orphanage
|
Most urban orphanages in Nepal are not self sustaining as none of them have land to farm and they can’t indulge in any other income generating activities. They solely rely on donations to operate. However, since Nepal is one of the poorest nations, the government doesn’t provide any fund and the donations from local citizens are very limited. In this situation, the orphanages have to ask for help from abroad. Light Orphanage Nepal is no different from any other orphanages.
A volunteer who comes to work in Light Orphanage Nepal contributes in a variety of ways. The program fee you pay to volunteer goes directly to the Orphanage. You’ll be surprise how long way a dollar can go in Nepal. Even a small volunteer fee is big money for the Orphanage.
The work you will do, in helping the children to eat, wash and study, will ease the burden from the staffs of the Orphanage. Though dedicated, the staffs are always over stretched in the Orphanage. Raising the children isn’t easy and they need constant attention. You can also help with the chores in the kitchen if you want to learn about Nepali cooking and if you are fond of the work.
The children will also benefit a lot from the volunteers. You should put extra effort to improve their English, both spoken and written. English is one of the most important subjects for any kids in Nepal. If you grow up to become a fluent speaker and have an ability to write good English, their career takes an upward climb. If not, their chances of finding good jobs are severely restricted. So help them grasp English better.
Also, when you care and love the children as your own, they’ll really overcome any physiological traumas they might have had as a child. They’re desperate for love. Give them that. This truly is the project for you if you want to serve humanity and make yourself feel better.
Daily Life of Volunteers in Child Orphanage Nepal
Childrens of Orphanage
|
Volunteers will have to wake up early. Enjoy breakfast before walking to the orphanage if you’re living with a host family. If you leave in the orphanage, you’ll eat with the children. You can also help to prepare the meal. You’ll also have to help the children prepare for school by helping them change into school uniform, making sure they brush their teeth and dropping them to school.
Sample of activities that you’ll perform:
- Teach the children for 2-3 hours a day according to demand. During exam time, you’ll probably have to teach little more. You’ll also have to help them finish homework. In schools in Nepal, the children usually end up with lots of homework. If they can’t finish it, they’re usually punished. Prevent that from happening.
- Personal hygiene: help the children brush teeth, shower them and change them into clean clothes.
- Drop off and pick up from school
- Organize fun activities like games, drawing, singing, dancing, and other creative activities
- Educational tours, time permitting, take children on a educational tours
- Help in administrative work, e.g. help in kitchen, office work
- Help in other activities or programs designed for kids (if any)
Kitchen at Child Orphanage Nepal |
Meal/Accommodation/Support
While working in Light Orphanage Nepal, you will stay inside the Orphanage. We will enjoy 3 local meals a day made locally. A typical Nepali food is dal (lentil soup), rice, vegetable curry and pickles.
Besides the bedrooms and toilets, LN also has a kitchen, a room where children eat and study, and a room where volunteers will stay. The director of the orphanage will supervise the volunteers. If you need any additional help, contact our Kathmandu office.
|
