Background
The word in the Nepalese language for street children is ‘kaaThe’. This word expresses disgust and even hatred. Consequently, the children are looked down upon – no one likes the dirty gangs of glue-sniffing kids who roam the streets in search of food and anything that can be sold. Often, the street kids are abandoned children who have migrated to the city from the villages in search of a better life. Once in the city, they find their hopes shattered in the blink of an eye: instead of making a quick buck, the sad circumstances of their lives are quickly compounded by issues such as survival by scavenging, police brutality, public hatred, gang pecking, ill-health, sexual exploitation, addiction, and so on.
Himalayan Life exists to change this narrative, offering programs that have transformed the lives of street children by providing holistic care and support. One of those programs was The Street Kitchen and Drop-In Facility in downtown Pokhara, which offered meals, safety, and a respite for vulnerable kids. Himalayan Life Plastics, a social enterprise in plastic recycling, provided a Vocational Training Program to at-risk teens, equipping them with practical skills. Although this program was phased out after the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact was profound. The Street Kids Shelter helped eliminate street gangs and significantly reduced the number of children living on the streets, ultimately making these programs obsolete. Although the Street Kitchen & Drop-In Facility, Vocational Program and Shelter are no longer operational, they are a testament to transformation, proving that change is not only possible but lasting.
Street-2-School Home in Pokhara:
Himalayan Life’s Street-2-School Home in Pokhara is a place of refuge, restoration, and new beginnings for vulnerable boys and girls. Currently, we are renting an ideal property with two homes: one for boys and one for girls, both part of our Street-2-School program. Here, children not only find shelter but also receive comprehensive, holistic care designed to meet their complex emotional, physical, and educational needs. A dedicated team of 4 full-time and 4 part-time staff provide stability, support, and encouragement, alongside a part-time teacher who brings learning directly into the home environment.
Watch the trailer of the film Forgotten Ones which follows the lives of street children in Pokhara.
For more information regarding the full-length film, visit our Forgotten Ones webpage.
Street-2-School Home in Pokhara Quick Facts:
- This home offers a well-rounded cluster of programs to address the complex and varied needs of vulnerable children, such as basic protection, nourishment, shelter, comprehensive care, detox, counselling, and education
- Located in Pokhara, Nepal
- Over the years, we have served many kids. At our Street-2-School Home, we are currently providing holistic care to 75 children
- 4 full-time, 4 part-time and 1 part-time teacher are serving their time at our Street-2-School Home
- Incorporated under the Social Welfare Act with the Government of Nepal
- Project partner and supervision: HL-Canada and HL-Switzerland
Photos courtesy of Peter Schaeublin (www.peterschaeublin.com) & Inmist Media House (http://inmistmediahouse.com/)
