Nepal: Harka Orphanage

Introduction:

According to government statistics, there are some 400 orphanages in Nepal, of which only about 160 are registered officially. Of Nepal’s 9.8 million children below 16 years of age, about 30 per cent of them are living in extremely difficult conditions. Of these children, over 70 percent live in villages. However, over 90 per cent of childrens homes are centralised in the national capital and other major city hubs.

Harka Self-sustaining Orphan Home was started in September 2004 and is a registered Non-Government Organisation. The orphanage aims to be self-sufficient and is thus located rurally. Our plans include providing infrastructure for fish farming, animal husbandry, chicken farming, beekeeping, raising of buffalo, goats, pigs and rabbits. Currently we are home to 16 children aged between 3 and 9 years old. There are two house mothers who live on site.

Management:

The Royal Nepal Friendship Club (RNFC) initiated this project.

The President of the orphanage is Mrs Laxmi Karki.

The volunteer coordinator is Ananda Khattri

Accommodation:

Right now we have 2 rooms in the orphanage and 1 volunteer room. Volunteers may have to share a room with one other. You will be provided with food, tea and an afternoon snack.

Environment:

Harka Orphan Home is situated 20 minutes away from Chitwan National Park and is close to Bharatpur domestic Airport. Chitwan National Park is 165 km away from Kathmandu and famous for its wildlife.

Our Philosophy:

The club has envisaged training the non-school-going youths in yoga and income-generating activities. Yoga may help them recover from their distressing past, whilst income-generation will support their life. The children will be encouraged to form friendships at home and abroad and they will be taught to live in harmony and peace. Willing children shall be provided with an education until 12th Grade. However, a natural home is never comparable to any other environment for a child. Hence, if family or other relatives of the children are traced, they will be rehabilitated as far as practicable.

Who do we need?

Both males and females are welcome. Those willing to stay in the home should be highly motivated to work with the children. You must present a good, moral character and respect the local culture. Volunteers can stay at the home from one week to three months.

Your job as a volunteer

Volunteers can teach the children for one to two hours in the morning in such subjects as English, drawing and moral education, among others. In the afternoon, if you want, you can go to the school which our children attend and help in the class there. Evenings can be spent helping the children with their homework, or gardening.

In the holidays, volunteers are free to go trekking, on tours etc or to organise programs of thier own choice.

Read volunteers' experiences here