Papa's House

This blog would be entirely incomplete if I didn't boast to you about Papa's House. Papa's House is why I am in Nepal. Papa's House was founded five years, or so, ago by Michael Hess after he adopted his first two Nepali children.

Michael now cares for one hundred and fifty and counting! Mostly girls, the children come from varied backgrounds with one common denominator: poverty.

At least fifty of the girls are rescued Kamlari girls, former indentured servants. When you meet them today, they are healthy, thriving and happy girls. Everyone is enrolled in school and they study hard!

Approximately 20,000 Nepali girls are exported each year to India to support the sex slave industry.

When I am in Kathmandu, I stay at Micheal's volunteer house. As I leave my home each morning, I am surrounded by four of Papa's Houses where the children live. After my shifts volunteering at Bal Mandir, and also every Saturday afternoon, I go to Papa's to play. Without fail, I always leave feeling incredibly positive and energized. The children are amazing to spend time with!

There is no fighting. Even playing games like basketball, everyone is included, the big kids and the small kids, and they all manage to laugh and be silly through any competition. Whenever there are new additions to a Saturday afternoon (like me at one point!) you are very quickly absorbed into the group. I haven't the earthliest idea how Micheal has managed to raise such a fantastic group of human beings, but he has all my respect and affection for it!

So many of you have asked what you can do or how you can help. I cannot recommend highly enough to you all to donate funds to Papa's House. Your money would be going to a highly effective and highly trustworthy organization. You money would also help to create strong and educated Nepali citizens to contribute to Nepal's future.

Nepal is one of the ten poorest countries in the world. It is also ranked the second most corrupt country in the world. In addition to a low but growing literacy rate, Nepal can boast only one doctor for every 100,000 citizens. The Papa's House children have the potential to change these circumstances and for now, they have the opportunity to enjoy a real childhood!

Mailing supplies or donations is not as effective because the post here is so poor. Additionally, with 74 rupees equalling one U.S. dollar, when Michael purchases items here, he is not only supporting the local economy, but your U.S. dollars go much farther here than they would at home. If you are interested in learning more about Papa's House, please visit: http://www.nepalorphanshome.com/.

I miss you so much and I wish you were here to meet everyone!