Sandwiched between the giants of India and China, the small country of Nepal provides a home for eight of the ten highest mountains in the word including the greatest mountain of all, Mount Everest, which stands at 29,025ft (8,850m). Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity. This is due to its unique geographical position and altitude variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60m above sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest, all within a distance of 150 kilometers. This results in climatic conditions ranging from sub-tropical to arctic temperatures. This wild variation fosters an incredible spectrum of ecosystems, the greatest mountain range on earth, thick tropical jungles teaming with a wealth of wildlife, thundering rivers, forested hills and frozen valleys region is very less. While the distance between the tropical and alpine regions in most of the countries around the globe is more than 1000 km, it is just less than 100 km in some places in Nepal.. The temperature varies between zero in the mountains to over 30 degrees Celsius in the valleys, and to mercury plummeting up to 38 degrees during summer in the lowlands.

• > Nepal occupies just 0.1% of the earth’s landmass, but relative to the size of the country, she boasts one of the richest genetic biodiversities in the world.
• > The Kaligandaki River is older than the Himalayas themselves. Therefore it acts as a major ecological dividing line between the Eastern and Western Himalayas.
• > Because of its outstanding altitudinal variation, many opportunities exist to farm plants which originate from places all over the world.
• > Nepal is the ‘Amazon of Asia’. The hidden treasures of its rich biodiversity have not yet been fully explored, leaving room for numerous new species to be discovered here.
• > 36% of the world’s Meconopsis “poppy” species, including Blue Poppies, are found in Nepal. Four of these are endemic to Nepal.
• > Nepal exhibits the tallest grassland in the world. This grassland exists in Chitwan.
• > Ayurvedic medicine is much sought after in the world. Nepal has an incredible wealth of medicinal and aromatic plants for the preparation of traditional and Ayurvedic medicines.
• > Nepal has one of the largest concentrations of the Royal Bengal Tiger in the world. It has the second largest population of one-horned Rhinos, and, what’s more, it has one of the best habitats for snow leopard.
• > Nepal has 4.2% of the world’s butterfly species, which equates to approximately 650 types.
• > Having nearly 870 species of birds, Nepal accounts for more than 8.5% of the world’s total bird species. This is arguably more than what both Europe and North Africa have between them.

Why we are accessing NEPAL ?

The Himalayas soar above the rocky plains and valleys where most of the Nepalese population – 30 million – lives. A landlocked country, Nepal is almost completely dependent on agrarian sustenance farming. In Nepal, 81% of people are engaging in agriculture – our country is very rich in natural resources – but here, 18% of all land is cultivated, and 16% of all land in our country is irrigated. Typically, forty to fifty families live and farm on sloping terraces where they grow wheat, rice, maize, vegetables and rear animals. The second major source of income for the country is tourism. People from all over the world come to Nepal to experience the thrill and majesty of the setting. In the last fifteen years, however, political instability has compromised tourism and subsequently our economic system is having difficulty in developing.

The very mountains that give Nepal its grandeur present a physical and economic challenge to building a sustainable infrastructure. Most of the population lives in rural areas where no telephones, roads, clean water, healthcare or schools exist. Nepal is the third poorest country in the world. The children here often face some of the worst living conditions in the world. Almost 50% of the Nepalese people live below the poverty line (on less than US$1 a day), and of every 100 children in Nepal, 84 live in villages, 47 are malnourished and 40 belong to extremely poor families.

• > Nepal is among the poorest and least developed country in the world with 42% of its population living below the poverty line.
• > 27,000 children die of diarrhoea every year.
• > 73% of women 15 years or older are illiterate.
• > 2.6 million children are engaged in different sectors of child labor.
• > Over 5,000 children are working and living on the streets.
• > Approximately 12,000 women and children are annually trafficked to India.
• > 34% of marriages involve children below the age of 15.
• > There is only one children’s hospital in Nepal.
• > Nepal is graded first in the world for the most child disappearances, the numbers soaring above Colombia, ranked second.
• > Sixty thousand children die every year before they reach their fifth birthday.
• > One out of every three children drops out of school. 50% of children drop out school after they are 10 years old.
• > In 1988 – the first case of HIV was reported. According to government statistics 75,000 HIV cases have been reported, but WHO (World Health Organization) prefer to say there are 210,000 reported HIV cases.
• > 13% children are still out of school.
• > 25% children do not have the necessary immunisations.
• > 5,000 children have access to just one doctor.

As you may know, Nepal is in the midst of economic and political struggles. Consequently, many development programs are overlooked or not able to be implemented. In fact, social work is becoming more and more complicated as a result of the political obstacles. Human rights are also being violated. In such a climate, we need to unite and work together to ensure that basic rights are afforded to each individual child. Many children in Nepal have been abandoned and are at risk: for many a decent childhood is only a dream. These children have little choice but to become involved in dangerous situations. Some are forced into the political scene at an early age, some are left to sleep on the streets, others become involved with drugs, pick-pocketing and other dangerous activities that can lead to a difficult life. Some children find work at different hotels and restaurants, but a lot of the time they are paid small wages for their labor and are not granted the opportunity to receive an education. It is extremely painful to witness these situations.

Non-Government Organisations in Nepal

Critics of organizations in Nepal point to NGOs (Non- Government Organizations) that exist only in name. Some also believe that NGOs are merely small business opportunities, where staff members have access to substantial foreign funds and use these funds to further their own careers or fill their pockets. Unfortunately, these impressions have tainted the good work that many NGOs in Nepal are carrying out. Yes, many NGOs lack the financial, managerial, and technical skills to be genuinely effective, but rather than write them off as unproductive or hopeless, perhaps these organizations need assistance or expertise in specific areas before they can effectively carry out their organizational missions.

In Nepal you will hear a great deal of talk about NGOs, their potential, and their shortcomings. It has become a well-known term in developing countries, where individuals have acted on their own to address the needs of their people. A great deal is written about this phenomenon, not only in Nepal, but in the developing world as a whole. NGOs, governments, and donor agencies alike are continually learning more about how to make more effective use of NGOs, and how to better provide them with the tools and insights they need to reach their goals.

Remi Lesbats, France, Aged 27.
remi.faua@yahoo.fr

Our renovation work in CWH Nepal by INTERFACE
We are six students from France who are a part of an organization called INTERFACE and we were involved in work at CWH and SDCC Renovation work. It was such a nice time and we got a good experience at CWH and SDCC. We are all thankful to the children Welfare Home staff and children. The CWH staff and the children are such nice people in the world. We will be very glad to come again and help the needy children in Nepal. Our group spent two months involved in the renovation work within different parts of Nepal.

Thank you so much for everything! If you like take great time with children of Nepal and want further information, please contact me with this e-mail address.

Ronald Onderdyk, The Netherlands.
ronaldonderdyk@hotmail.com

Suzannah Clamp, England Aged 23.
s.clamp@hotmail.co.uk

Currently we have 25 children are in the Sauraha Day Care Centre & 9 children are getting schooling. The age of Day care center children are 2-5 years old from different Back ground. They are as bellow:

Day care center Children:

Scholarship children Name List:

We presumption of the Sauraha Day Care Center is to generate socially civilized, financially prosperous and healthy people in the society and it was conceived to empower the underprivileged, needy women and children furthermore the befallen people who are deprived from development return by participating systematically in all the events. It was established in 2004 with the aim of excluding the illiteracy as well as the superstition that grips our society by encouraging backward people and the needy children who are deprived of education and health facilities through public awareness in addition to this it determines to carry on a head to devote for the development works for the society. It also aims to bring on creative and qualitative changes for the social development, ultimately contributing for the development of the country.
SDCC has been serving for 7 years and will carry on many more years ahead. It has conducted and served several Scholarship & awareness programs mainly Kindergarten amongst the befallen and backward people by supporting Nick Noakes(Her Friends and Family in memory of Wille mina Bell 1947- 2005),Petra & Paradigm Norton . it has been supporting the poor, hardworking and genius students by granting scholarships moreover it has encouraged and has been helping the poor women and the miserable farmers for their self dependence by conducting income oriented programs. Besides it will slowly expand its service and programs in other Village of Chitwan or the sustainable development of the befallen, backward and needy people & community of the Slum area.

Accomplished programs:

• > Over one hundred kindergarten kids have already been finished the primary schooling from the centre for
• > Various awareness education related to Sanitation& child right have been conducted in different houses of Slum area .
• > Scholarship programs for the underprivileged students have been provided .
• > To encourage the dependent farmers and women goat keeping programs have been conduct.
• > Financial support has been granted to the Community for the Office constructed.
• > Programs have been undertaken to set up shelter for the very poor and befallen people

Sauraha Day care Center Sauraha, Chitwan.

1. Manger & Incharge :Mrs Binu Maya Thapa
2. Education Instructor : Ms Ruma Choudhary
3. Care Taker: Mrs Jit Maya Magar

Please get in touch with us if you want to engage in any of the above activities, or have any supplemental ideas to help us.

“More than a contribution to the development of a country, we think that volunteering means to share a time and become part of the life of its inhabitants.”

Besides financial support, the Children Welfare Home is always deeply appreciative of volunteers who are always welcome to “drop in” any time to play with and teach the children. Interaction with people from all over the world provides an incredibly dynamic and positive influence on the children’s lives.

In being involved in the daily life of Nepali children, you are not only participating in activities, but you become a real part of the centre and a member of the family. In this way, Nepal and CWH offer a great and unique opportunity for individuals, couples, groups, students and experts, as well as senior and youth professionals from all over the world.

The mission and objectives of the CWH volunteer program in Nepal is to encourage and invite National/International volunteers to contribute to children, community development, education development, as well as health and environmental activities for the Nepali people.
Our program in Nepal promotes the volunteering opportunity for individuals to build international link and mutual friendship, through a global partnership. It is our belief that through hard work and positive thinking we can all help improve cultural tolerance and encourage world peace.

Volunteers will experience life in Nepal first-hand, working alongside Nepali people to help support communities in Nepal. In this way, you will make a meaningful contribution to a disadvantaged segment of poor community children, while participating in a cultural exchange with local people who will ultimately be responsible for sustainable development.

Voluntary work in Nepal can be extremely rewarding and life-changing experience. Upon arrival, and throughout their stay, volunteers will receive warm welcomes from the Nepali people, who are famous for their honesty and hospitality.

But what does it mean exactly?

As volunteer in our center, you’ll have to take care of the children and share their daily life before and after school.

We like to think that volunteering here is as liberal as you want it to be. Of course, there are certain things which we hope you attend e.g. help with work before and after school, and playing games, but otherwise you have the freedom to do what you want to do.
Some volunteers help on the grounds with gardening and litter-picking, others help upstairs in the office, some retire back to town for a coffee with friends etc, all is totally accepted just as long as we know your rough plans.

What kind of possibilities do CWH offer?
Volunteering package program:

In traveling abroad and volunteering in our centre, you leave behind some part of your life, family, and country to share your time with us and we know that is not always so easy, and for that we are very grateful. Being a new member of our family for a short time means we do not have much time to teach you about our way of life. That’s why we decided to provide volunteering package programs in order to facilitate the discovery of our beautiful country in a cheaper way and make it easy to travel with knowledgeable experience of Nepali culture and tradition. As we know the right places, we will do our best to facilitate your experience and help you discover a real and authentic part of Nepal through well-known activities such as:

• > Trekking the highest mountain of the world,
• > Discovering wild life in a jungle safari in one of our National Parks,
• > Having a look at the deepest gorge of Nepal,

Enjoying the great sensation of White Water rafting with rapid 4+ in the Kali Gandaki river (75km in length),

But also:

• > A famous outlook of the cultural heritage of Patan,
• > The famous and so well preserved city of Bhaktapur,
• > Kathmandu, with its fast moving life and wonderful valley,
• > Enjoying the sunrise uphill our beautiful city of Pokhara beside the Annapurna range.

This program includes: Guide, accommodation, breakfast, dinner and all tourist area permits and transportation from Katmandu – Pokhara – Chitwan – Pokhara – Katmandu

What kind of experience do I need?

It is of course an advantage to have previous working experience but NO EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY to take part in most of our programs and CWH strongly encourages all applicants who have a positive outlook and strong desire to help improve Nepal to join us. All volunteers will enjoy a unique opportunity for travel, adventure, and exploration (both natural beauty and inner exploration).

To really enjoy your experience you must wonder if volunteering is right for you. You know what it means for us, so what does it mean for you?

Is Volunteering Right for Me?

To have a satisfying and rewarding experience as a volunteer in Nepal, you must possess certain attributes: You must be willing to set aside many expectations you may have going into the experience, you must be resourceful, and you must be able to create opportunities where at first they don’t seem to exist.

People have walked away from volunteer positions because the organisations were not as organised as the volunteers expected, because members of the organisation preferred to chat and have tea the first hour they came to work rather than work, because the supplies they were waiting for never arrived, because they never were able to introduce a training package they had designed, etc.
Ask yourself, can you deal with unexpected circumstances? If so, how?

To succeed as a volunteer here you must:

• > be flexible
• > be able to demonstrate respect for another culture
• > be sensitive to local cultural values
• > be willing to observe prevailing workplace hierarchies and protocol
• > be able to tolerate ambiguity
• > be able to work independently
• > be willing to serve others in the way they want to be served
• > be able to demonstrate initiative and have a sense of humor
• > be open to other possibilities, differing opinions and values that contradict your own
• > be able to function as a member of a team
• > possess tenacity, a willingness to hang in there or “go with the flow”, patience, and resourcefulness…

The children here at CWH are truly inspirational. Facing the difficulties they have faced from such young ages, and going on to pursue their education so that one day they can give back what they have had, plus more, is remarkable and sets a fantastic example for all children.
One moment of your time and attention means the world to them, and we would like to share with you that every volunteer who has worked with us has said that they “got more than they gave”.  We are trying, as best we can, to give these children the break in life that they deserve. We want them to have the gift of literacy, so that they can expand their horizons, nurture their natural curiosity and their ability to think, and gain an education that will help break the cycle of poverty that plagues the developing world.

Later…

We are still in touch with many of our volunteers. After coming here some have returned home and have helped us hugely with getting our name out through fundraising activities and the birthing of charities and, for this, we are eternally grateful. There is still much to be done, however. We need to be connected to future donors and volunteers so that we, as an organisation, stay up and running and can continue to provide our children with the basics to life that they deserve.
We have now a new website, but still we are dependent on our name getting into conversations through our volunteers, overseas donors and visitors. So even, if you are not able to participate in our program, please distribute our name, purpose and activities around you.

CWH aims to bring all round development to children living in rural areas and poor communities, and to those who are found to be working in child labor or on the street, by providing them with housing, food, education, clothing, adequate medical care and a nurturing home to live in – a secure start to life. We recognise that when the children finish their schooling, they need support in reintegrating with the community as independent Nepali citizens. The children can go back with their families, and we fully fund the children in going onto college for further education, if so desired, or vocational training and then onto finding jobs.CWH is purely a social organisation with a mission which people can easily participate in to help our children. Please join us in helping them to contribute to their own progress and success in the future.

Our Focus Group

• > Primary level school children.
• > Poor children and youths deprived of education and medical attention.
• > Children working and living in the most underprivileged of circumstances.
• > Families of children in rural and other poor communities.

Goals: (GOAL OF CWH)

• > To provide proper clothes and comfortable, secure housing for all children under our care.
• > To provide appropriate supervision at the home, at all times. This includes paying careful attention to the individual needs of each child, and the provision of suitable recreational and play activities.
• > To ensure that the children of CWH receive a good, solid education by means of regular attendance to school and supplemental educational support in the classroom at the home.
• > To provide school uniforms and supplies for each child.
• > To teach the children proper daily health and sanitation practice to minimise the occurrence and spread of illness.
• > To monitor the children’s health status and ensure that each child receives adequate medical care and follow-up as necessary.
• > To coordinate efforts with other community organisations to provide job-training opportunities for each child when they reach the appropriate age.
• > To provide a positive, loving environment at the home that builds children’s self-esteem and encourages them to reach their maximum potential at school, at home and in the community. We believe that love at the home ensures beauty all around, and so all our efforts have their roots, here, at CWH.