Our efforts for the last 8 years at
The Friendship House in Nepal have
allowed us to open a sister program,
The Sikkim Happiness Home in
Gangtok the capital of Sikkim India.
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More on Girls At Risk ...
Our focused efforts over the last 8 years at The Friendship House in Kathmandu, Nepal, enabled us to create a sustainable model that allowed us to open a sister program, The Sikkim Happiness Home in Gangtok, the capitol of Sikkim, India. This home in Sikkim officially opened its doors in the spring of 2003. The residents are girls that have been orphaned or who, for any number of reasons, have fallen through the cracks of society and have no one else to care for them. In January 2006, these girls moved to a different building in a better neighborhood and have a wonderful Sikkim staff, including a house-mother who is guiding them in many positive directions and a cook staff that is second to none.In both “sister” homes, the girls bond and become a family. The older girls support and look after their “little sisters" who are usually quite overwhelmed when they enter this new living situation. Whether doing homework, cleaning rooms or relaxing after dinner, a hug and a kind smile is as close as a big sister. Now, in Kathmandu, the girls who have grown up complete the cycle and return to show the younger girls that hard work in school will pay off.
- Basanti is a full-time nurse (wife and mother) at the Dhulakel Hospital.
- Peema is a social worker, counseling women in prison.
- Rita, Reena, and Tirtha are currently in midwife school.
- Poonam is currently studying Hotel Management.
- Neelam is at boarding school preparing for college.
The homes go far beyond providing basic services for the children. The high quality of care includes all of the girls' daily needs, medical care, education, and emotional support. This care lays the foundation for a better life and a brighter future. This said, we are acutely aware that it is impossible to substitute for the influences of a healthy family environment. The home parents strive to expose each girl to their heritage, with fieldtrips for festivals and constant exposure to the diversity of each individual culture. In addition, we have a healthy portion of the curriculum focused on instilling the ideals of public service and of giving back to those who are less fortunate. The constant thread through all of our educational sponsorship programs is "with privilege comes responsibility". The girls obviously take this to heart. SPONSORSHIP NUMBERS AND COSTS
SPONSORSHIPS: Currently the foundation sponsors 21 girls in Nepal and 14 girls in Sikkim.COST: Yearly sponsorship per girl, Friendship House, Nepal or the Happiness Home, Sikkim: US $2000.00Please contact us if you might be interested in sponsoring a girl at risk. back to top |
