In many developing countries like Nepal, children die from malnutrition and diseases before they reach adolescence. Those who survive lead an extremely hard for life, especially if they are orphaned. Many children have been adversely affected by the past ten years of internal war.

At least 10,000 children have been orphaned, and more than a 100,000 children forced to leave their villages. Most of the orphans live with relatives, who themselves work very hard just to survive.

In a country as poor as Nepal It is rarely possible for relatives in small subsistence hamlets to bear the burden of orphans. Apart from their economic condition the cultural beliefs which exist in the community makes the life of orphan's very helpless and hopeless.

By establishing an orphanage in Pokhara the project serves as a central location to take in the many children now drifting in from surrounding strife torn regions to find food and shelter.

The Purna Shrestha Memorial Home Project is working to change the lives of these poor orphans by first providing food, shelter, security, medical treatment and love followed by education and an opportunity for a new life with independence.

Any help in achieving this is very much appreciated.

Once completed you will be able to come and visit the children for yourself and
offer them some love, acceptance and understanding.

 

The Project.

Like any project there is an evolution and mostly it takes baby steps to arrive there.

Below is an outline of the project as it reveals itself and as elements are achieved we will colour them in Black and To-do's in Red so that you can monitor the progress:

 

- Land acquired
The land at the rear of the Shrestha family complex has been formally vested in the orphanage.

Not-for-Profit status approved

Plans drawn

Foundations laid

Buildings completed

Rooms fitted out

Administration established

Doors open

Our objectives are to provide orphaned and homeless children living in Nepal with basic human rights, health services, education and love.

These objectives will be achieved by:

Providing accommodation, food, education and love to the orphan and homeless children in a secure and safe orphanage home.

Providing access to medicine, primary health care and services to the children and people in the community who are economically poor and unhealthy.

Promoting the children to become independent by developing their social, mental and intellectual capability through proper education and vocational training.

Coordinating and creating job opportunities for the children as they grow up and leave the orphanage.

Educating and training in skills useful for independent survival.

 

Below are the Intents of our Orphanage - in time we will arrive at each of these as facilities are built and funding allows - at present we are working towards it one small but positive step at a time

Mission Statement

The orphanage is committed to raising the children entrusted to our care in a safe and loving environment, which will meet their physical, social, educational and spiritual needs, enabling them to become independent and self-reliant.

We will provide a safe environment by ensuring that our facilities are well-maintained and in compliance with all Nepal child care regulations. Clean and sanitary conditions will be among our top priorities. We will complete, to the best of our ability, background research on all staff and volunteers that work with the children.

Loving Environment

We are committed to hiring caring and compassionate staff that will love our children. We expect that staff seek opportunities to positively interact with the children and carry out all discipline in a spirit of loving guidance. In addition, we will encourage volunteers to visit the orphanage and spend time with the boys and girls, showing them extra attention and care.

Physical Needs

We will ensure that our children are given nutritional meals and snacks that promote healthy growth. In addition, our children will receive all immunizations and prompt medical treatment as necessary. We will maintain a safe living space that supports the physical well-being of all children.

Educational Needs

We will provide an education that meets all Nepali standards through grade 10 for each child. In addition, we will seek opportunities to teach our children various domestic, agricultural and trade skills consistent with the demands of Nepal society. By ensuring access to learning materials and time for study, we will, in all ways possible, foster an environment that emphasizes the importance of education.

Social Needs

We will foster proper social development by encouraging our staff to form bonds and relationships with the children. In addition, we will encourage the children to view each other as brothers and sisters to foster a sense of family. As we place high importance on cultural integration, we will seek to provide community role models that demonstrate appropriate behavior and social responsibility for both boys and girls. We will also encourage our children to interact with their peers. Finally, we will ensure that our facilities meet the children’s changing social needs as they grow.

Spiritual Needs

We will nurture and encourage our children to attend church or temple and participate in daily prayer if they choose.

The land for the orphanage was donated by the Shrestha family. The land is family owned land that adjoins the extended family complex of homes in Lakeside, Pokhara. Fronting the property is the New Solitary Lodge which is now one of the longest running lodges in the Pokhara Valley.

As a family run charity each of the remaining children of Purna Shrestha has a vital role to play in the funding of the project and the provision of further funds to ensure the orphanage continues.

In Australia

Dil and Robin Shrestha, live in Moruya, NSW. Dil and Robin are the owners of "Our Nepalese Restaurant in Moruya", a Nepali Restaurant that serves Tibetan, Nepali and North Indian Cuisine. The cafe directs all profits towards the orphanage and provides a "shop front" to promote Nepal and to also promote the orphanage to those interested in supporting it.

Dil and Robin have a very successful business directly over the road at the Moruya Icecream Parlour. The Ice Cream Parlour has now been operating of 14 years and employs eight staff.

If you would like to talk to Robin or Dil about the Pokhara orphanage you will find them at the Ice Cream Parlour during working hours where they will happily discuss any aspect of your enquiry.

In Nepal

Bhekendra Shrestha, Dil's brother, is the owner of the New Solitary Lodge. Bhekendra and his wife Uru will provide the on-site skills required to project manage the construction and administration of the orphanage. It is also via their successful lodge that 100% of all donations arrived at in any form of accommodation discounts to orphanage visitors are directly channeled into the orphanage fund

Both of the above initiatives will serve to see the orphanage continue to be ably self funded however donations of labour and of other finances are also encouraged.

The orphanage has identified its objectives which also include its end size. At present it is hoped to have a capacity of 20 children.

Once constructed the focus will then be to direct whatever resources are required to ensure the children are nurtured, educated and then sent off into the world as happy balance citizens able to live in dependant lives.

Bhekendra believes that it is his social responsibility to help the local people and community by devoting a certain part of his profits and time to them. He finds great solace while volunteering and occasionally organises health camps offering free eye surgery to the poor in association with the Lion's Club of Pokhara.

He believes that education is the foundation of development for society. He has been financially supporting some talented but economically poor students in his region with a fair share of his profits for their education.

The farmers who work on the organic farm owned by the lodge come from indigenous communities of nearby villages. In addition to earning their livelihood, they also get opportunities to learn about newer farming techniques, health, nutrition and sanitation.

If you have some of your own ideas to share with them or just wish to see the works in progress, ask Bhekendra and he will be pleased to do so.