SOS Children in Nepal

Overview of Nepal

Nepal is classified as one of the world's least developed and poorest countries.

On the slopes of the Himalayas, it is subject to frequent natural disasters such as floods and landslides. More than 40 per cent of the population are under-nourished; life expectancy is low and TB, typhoid and cholera are still widespread. Poverty is most acute in the mid-western and far western regions as well as in the mountains. Those regions are also the epicentre of an armed insurrection, which has exacerbated poverty and hampered the delivery of basic social services.

Our Work in Nepal

SOS Children began working in Nepal in the 1970s. There are now nine SOS Children's Villages which are altogether home to over 1000 children and young people. We also run a variety of social, medical and educational facilities which provide much-needed help and assistance for local communities.

Sanothimi

We built our first SOS Children's Village in Nepal at Sanothimi on former rice terraces about 15 km from the centre of Kathmandu. Opened in 1973, the Village has 16 family houses which provide a new home and a mother for up to 160 children. An SOS Nursery as well as SOS Primary and Secondary schools are based in the Village, providing an education to both children from the Village and from the local community.

The Village also has an SOS Vocational Training Centre; open to people in the local community, providing courses in ceramics and other trades.

Pokhara

The SOS Children's Village in Pokhara opened in 1975. This Village cares specifically for Tibetan refugee children and is one of the largest SOS Children's projects in Nepal. As well as the twelve family houses and the SOS Youth Home, it has an SOS Nursery and two schools. This includes the Namgyal Higher Secondary School in Gorkna, which is the only higher secondary school for Tibetans in Nepal. Pokhara also has an SOS Vocational Training Centre which provides opportunities for young Tibetans from all over Nepal to acquire technical skills and trades suitable for the local job market. Part of the apprenticeship scheme involves work such as connecting homes to electricity in the local refugee camps.

Gandaki

We opened our third SOS Children's Village in Gandaki in 1979. Located in the highlands, west of Kathmandu, it has 15 family houses and two SOS Youth Homes, which together are home to nearly 200 children and young people. Additional facilities include an SOS Nursery and an SOS School for up to 800 primary and secondary level pupils. In 2003, an SOS Social Centre was established here, running a Family Strengthening Programme which includes providing child care for local working mothers and medical treatment for the community.

Jorpati

Opened in 1983, our Jorpati Village, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, cares specifically for children and young people with special needs. 50 children live in the five family houses here, which were specially designed to meet the requirements of physically challenged children.  The Village also has a therapy room with a small pool for physical therapy. An SOS Youth Centre opened here in 1995, providing tailored support for older children with special needs. Click here for further information about this Village.

Surkhet

Our Surkhet community is in a small valley in western Nepal, the road to which is only passable in dry weather. Opened in 1987, over 200 children and young people live in the 14 family houses and the two SOS Youth Homes. The SOS School provides primary and secondary education for 500 pupils and daily child-care and medical treatment for local families are available at the SOS Social Centre.

Itahari

SOS Children's Village Itahari, in eastern Nepal near the Indian border, opened in 1992. It has 14 family houses and two SOS Youth Homes. Like Gandaki, it has an SOS Nursery, an SOS Primary School and and SOS Secondary School. Opened in 2001, an SOS Youth Home located in nearby Biratnagar provides housing and support for older children whilst they undertake further education and gradually learn to live independently. An SOS Social Centre provides courses in handicrafts for local women to help them to improve their skills and employment prospects.

Kavre

We opened SOS Children's Village Kavre in 1997, about 30 km east of Kathmandu near the small towns of Panauti and Banepa. It has 14 family houses for up to 140 children. The SOS School teaches primary and secondary level pupils, and includes an SOS Nursery. Of the 500 pupils, approximately 100 come from the SOS Children's Village and the rest from the local area. This helps the children to integrate into the surrounding community. An SOS Social Centre provides support programmes for local underprivileged families.

Bharatpur

SOS Children's Village Bharatpur opened in 2003. It is the district capital of Chitawan in central Nepal. The Village now has 14 family homes, an SOS Nursery for 80 children, and a combined SOS Primary and Secondary School for 580 children. In addition there is a SOS Social Centre which provides child day-care and health counselling to 40 families every month.

Lumbini

A ninth SOS Children's Village opened in Lumbini in March 2010, in the west of the country. The Village consists of 15 family houses which will, when full, provide a new home for up to 150 children.  An SOS Nursery with two group rooms provides day-care for up to 80 small children. The possibility for a Family Strengthening Programme here is currently being explored. SOS Nepal hopes to be able to support around 300 local children near Lumbini through Family Strengthening Programmes by the end of 2010.

Local contact

SOS Children's Villages Nepal

Sanothimi

Madhyapur Municipality 17

Kathmandu

Bhaktapur District

Postal address: P.O.Box 757

Kathmandu

Nepal

Tel: +977/1/66 30 091, +977/1/66 35 742, +977/1/66 38 640

Fax: +977/1/66 30 191

e-mail: sosnepal@mos.com.np