Reasons To Donate.

In many developing countries, like Nepal, children die from malnutrition and diseases before they reach adolescence. According to UNICEF latest statistics over 50,000 children die in Nepal each year, with malnutrition as the underlying cause for more than 60% of these deaths. Half of the children are underweight. 15% of Nepal's wells are contaminated by arsenic. Despite Nepal's high overall coverage of accessibility to drinking water, access to improved water in deprived, disadvantaged communities and conflict effected rural and fringe urban areas remains low. Two thirds of Nepal's are still without access to toilets. 40% of the population live under the poverty line. Also the conflict has had significant impact on education, forced closures of schools due to strikes, cutting the school year in half in some areas. Thousands of students have been taken from schools for political indoctrination, and many have been recruited into the Maoist forces or militia. Over 13,000 people have dead since the conflict started in 1996.

All in all the situation for children in Nepal is dire and unfortunately the situation for the orphan children is increasingly worse, having no choice but to live in filthy living conditions, most without access to clean, running water; electricity; medical care or education.

Because orphans are largely unregulated by the Nepalese government, no one in Nepal is quite sure how many children have been adversely effected by the last decade of Maoist insurgency. One estimate is that 10,000 have been orphaned, and more than 100,000 forced from their village, a figure, which, in reality is much higher. The latest estimated figure for the total amount of orphans across Nepal is close to 1 million according to UNICEF figures, a figure which will continue to rise.

The widespread religious belief that, 'The child who is an orphan is a killer of their father or mother or both. It is believed such a child invites bad luck into the family or even to the community'. This view has seen children being poorly mistreated by the owners of orphanages known for corruption and child trafficking. With little being done to stop this terrible exploitation from happening.

I have had the unfortunate experience to witness first hand some of the horrendous things which goes on in orphanages. It is upsetting to see the impact poverty, war and disease has on children. They are the ones who suffer the most. According to UNICEF, 30,000 children die each day from poverty. Yet, children, who are the most vulnerable are the ones who have no voice. They cannot protect themselves. And Nepal as a nation is doing little to help them. As adults, we can change the tide to ensure that all children get the basic food, clean water, healthcare, shelter and education, as well as a life where they are safe, nurtured and can play, grow, create and learn.

By donating to my cause you will be directly helping improve the quality of life nepali orphans live. Every child should be given the opportunity to have a future not ridden with pain and suffering. For information on where the money donated will go visit donations.

Starfishpromise is Proud to Sponsor 5 Orphans.

15 orphans will soon be moving into their new home in Chitwan called Happy Homes. Starfishpromise is extremely proud to be able to now commit to sponsoring 5 children due to the new fee per child of 360 US dollars. The sponsorship will commence as soon as the building is complete. The expected date is within the next couple of months and after reviewing the work and speaking to the construction worker, we are all hopeful that the building will be complete by late August for the children to move in by the end of the summer. Some of the daonations have gone towards helping construct the building. The remaining funds will be accounted by Globalteer, and will be available on request to Happy Homes Orphanage for emergency funds. The money if it is not needed for this purpose will be carried forward to the next sponsorship year.
This is down to the overwhelming support of local communities, schools and businesses within Hampshire and Wiltshire, along with the support of a Summer Camp in California –  Mountain Camp along with the loving support and help from family and friends. More information on the children and the New Orphanage will follow in June.