How it all started?

The story begins 14 years back in 2066 B.S. During my early shooting days, I was re-knowned for positive characters on the screen. One day, I was approached by a child who needed to be rescued. The intention was to rescue the child by any contact through me. I was not the one to rescue or have the child be with me. However, the child was so desperate to be with me, that I was blindly trusted with life by a single child. I realized the blessings of my parents and I was able to gain the trust and positive energy within me. The journey then started and was a turning point in my life.

I already had started to work on this now. It gave me butterflies in my stomach and overwhelming energy. I was nervous, however, I channeled it into my excitement. When we started the orphanage, there were 13 children in the beginning. Very few people came as helping hands. There were so many people sympathizing with me and making me weak. I somehow managed to be strong and fight with all the challenges alone. I still remember, one day, there were people outside our stay, demanding us to quit everything. With my positive thoughts and a strong commitment to these tiny hearts, I fought with my emotions at first and was then, able to claim my flag from them. There are always obstacles in the journey; highs and lows.

We were able to manage a rent-stay in a building on lease. The rooms were tight, with no playing space, and no moving space, and children were suffocating within those walls of bricks and cements. Children were rarely playing around. We had very little space on the rooftop in the name of seeing the sun; this is what reminds me of small, dark, and cold rooms for children. Childhood is about scavenging, playing, dancing, and learning new things which was very difficult then. We decided to rent an open space and have our own space to play around. We started making plans for the new perimeter, and started interacting with more people who asked for big/small help, and thanks to all those kind hearts, we were able to build our dream home.

Children were surprised with happy tears in their eyes seeing a new home where they could play, roam around, dance, scavenge, and learn so many things. They loved what we built. This new stay has unveiled so much of opportunities and potential which will definitely grow us even more. We aim to have an impact on someone’s life. We help those innocent eyes dream big, smile and learn to help others in a chain. This is how we initiate a change. A change that never ends!
-Rita Shiwakoti

The lowest moment for Future Hope Nepal.

We were renting a 3-story building in Harhar Mahadev. One of our beautiful children Sushmita, once fell from the 1st floor. We had to rush her to the hospital as soon as possible. We were unprepared for the circumstances. With what we can do to our best, we did to make sure she receives the primary aid. We did not have enough money to admit her to the hospital. We somehow convinced the hospital management to continue the treatment in credit. The investigation was then started; tests, reports, scans, and so on. After some time, the doctor came and said, she had only a 5% chance left of survival. With only Rs.3500 in the pocket, we urged ourselves to continue more treatment. However, we were already desperate.

This was not only the case of her health but the police had to get involved and start the investigation which we were unaware of. We were getting annoyed with the investigation during the multiple pains which included the stress of seeking the needed money, our children being seriously admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and other children being left out in the home. Neither of the doctors nor us had any hope of her living further. The police had then already arrived at the orphanage where we had no one except one caretaker and the rest of our children being asked difficult questions directly from the police officers.

While we were returning from the hospital to update the situation to other children, police stopped us on the way in the road. We were sitting on the footpaths and being asked about the statements and the whole investigation was running on the busy road. Not only that but phone calls from government officials, our umbrella organization, and children welfare authorities started coming up with statements stating us the culprit for the accident. We were not supported by those bodies at that time. We felt like, we were untrusted from every direction.

The organization was already under a difficult and critical threat. During the same time, one of her so-called relatives came to us asking, why we were so careless to her and started claiming her rights. We were then suppressed with so much of negative thoughts. Doctors started to come up as if she was already dead, bowing their heads and with some sad emotions. After some time, with everyone’s prayers, she was back to her own consciousness and finally, she talked.

Happiest moment

It was very long time for us renting a building with congested rooms. We had some plans to build our own new compound with more space and more rooms for the children. We were excited about that and we had some plans regarding the property selection and funds collection. We already begun to start building by that now and were so much excited about building and living in the new home. Sometimes later, the structure was already prepared however, the finishing of the property was yet to be done. We decided our children to see the new home being built. So, one evening we brought the children to the FUTURE home. Some of the installed lights in the alleyway were looking mesmerising along with setting sun in the background. We hadn’t had enough place for children to play before. So, they were super excited and were playing in the compound. We were the one having a beautiful view of children playing around, some workers finishing their jobs and sun setting in the background.

“This view was something I will never forget in my life. I think those years of struggle was worth it for this view and it was so overwhelming moment for me that I could not stop my tears falling down.” - Rita (President)

The children were willing to play for whole night there and didn’t want to go back home. President for a moment then forgot all the past sufferings, struggles and cried with happy tears seeing every children happy. She then thanked god to make that unreal moment be real.

Hope Amidst Challenges: The State of Orphanages in Nepal

Nepal, a country known for its rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes, is also home to numerous orphanages that play a vital role in caring for children who have lost their parents or are in vulnerable situations. While these institutions are beacons of hope, the orphanage system in Nepal faces various challenges that demand attention and collective efforts for improvement.

Overcrowding and Resource Constraints: One of the most pressing issues confronting orphanages in Nepal is overcrowding. Many orphanages struggle to accommodate the growing number of children seeking refuge. This overcrowding often leads to resource constraints, making it difficult to provide adequate food, clothing, education, and healthcare for each child.

Quality of Education: While orphanages aim to provide a nurturing environment for children, concerns regarding the quality of education persist. Limited resources and lack of trained educators can hinder the educational development of children in orphanages. Addressing this issue is crucial to empower these children for a better future.

Psychological Well-being: The emotional and psychological well-being of children in orphanages is a matter of paramount importance. Separation from biological families and the challenges they face in their early years can impact a child's mental health. Support from mental health professionals and the creation of a supportive environment are essential for the holistic development of these children.

Transition to Adulthood: As children in orphanages grow older, there is a need for effective transition programs to help them integrate into society as responsible adults. Providing vocational training, life skills, and mentorship can significantly contribute to their ability to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

Regulation and Oversight: Effective regulation and oversight are crucial for ensuring that orphanages operate ethically and provide a safe and nurturing environment. Collaborative efforts between governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the community can contribute to the creation of a robust regulatory framework.

Community Involvement and Support: In order to address the challenges faced by orphanages in Nepal, community involvement and support are indispensable. Engaging local communities in awareness programs, fostering partnerships with businesses, and encouraging volunteering can create a network of support that benefits the children and the institutions caring for them.