VOLUNTEER DOSSIER

HELPLESS COLONY (alsoknownastheHappinessColony)

Join us to build a better future! Theonlyvolunteeringopportunitywhere100%ofyourcontributionmakesadifference

Kathmandu,NepalUpdatedDecember2017

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1. IntroductionTheHelplessColonyorphanagewasstartedin2004byNanuRai,asinglewoman.NanuRaicontinuestoruntheorphanagetoday.

Therearenowmorethan20members in theColony.Theseare thekids,MommyNanuRaiandaladywhohelpsher.

The children in the colony come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Some children areorphans.Otherchildrenhaveasinglemotherorasinglefatherwhocannotsupportthemorhasabandonedthem.

Over the years the orphanage has made significant progress. In the beginning there wereabout 18 small kids living in a small house. We had no furniture, not even beds, and thechildrensleptonthefloor.Theycouldnotaffordtogotoschool.TheHelplessColonyiscalledthiswaybecauseinthebeginningthesituationoftheorphanagewassodirethatitwasthemostappropriatename.

NowadaysallthechildrengotoschoolandgetaneducationinEnglish.Wehavesomemodestfurniture. The children eat regularly every day.We now call our orphanage theHappinessColony.Wearealllikeonebigfamilyandweevencallourvolunteers“Brother”and“Sister”.

Themainaimofthecolonyistoensurethatallthechildrengrowupingoodconditionsandgetagoodeducation.Thefinalobjectiveistogetallthechildrenindependent.Somechildrenhave already left the orphanage and have found stable work places or started universitystudies.

Currently the colony is managed purely on the basis of donations. There is no source ofpermanentincomeandthereisnogovernmentsupport.Thedonationsaresolicitedprimarilybygoingfromdoortodoor.Havingvolunteersiscriticaltothesustainabilityoftheorphanageastheyrepresentanadditionalandmuchneededsourceofsupport.

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2. Themembersofthecolony

Myname isMohan Rokaya. I am12yearsold, studying inclass 6. I like to study andmy favourite subject isNepali. Ilike to play football and we all play football together onholidays. In animals I like lion themost. In free time I likedrawing,dancingandplaying.Myaimistobecomeadoctor.

My name isAmita Thami. I read in class 6, I like to go toschool. My favourite animal is rabbit. I love dancing and Iwant tobecomeadancer. I like tostudyandmakemommy(Nanu)proud.IamveryhappythatIhaveachancetodreamandstudyinmylife.

MynameisRasmi Joshi. Iam10yearsoldandstudying inclass4.Iliketoplayskipping.Ilikecowamonganimals.Myhobbiesarereadinganddancing.Iwanttobeadoctor.

MynameisDurga Joshi.Iam14yearsold.Istudyinclass7.I like sports, especially I like to play volleyball. Dancing,singing and reading are my hobbies. I like rabbit as ananimal.Iwanttobeinmilitaryforceinthefuture,that’smydream.AndIamveryhappytobehere.

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MynameisLaxmi Tamang.Ireadinclass4.Iam11yrsold.Ilikesports.Ilikeplayingskippingafterschool.Myfavouriteanimal is rabbit. I love dancing and singing. Iwant to be adoctor.

MynameisSamjhana NepaliandIam9yrsold.Ilikegoingtoschool.Iaminclass1.Ilovemommyhereandspendtimetalkingwithmommyandplayingwithmyfriendsandsisters.Iliketoplaybadmintonandskipping.Iwanttobeanurseinthefuture.

My name isRitu Gurung. Iam8yrsold. Iandstudying inclass1andIliketogotoschool.Iliketoplaywithbrothersandsisters. I likedrawingandreading. I lovemyhomeandmommy.Iwanttobeanengineer.

MynameisBiraj Gurung.Iam9yearsold.Ireadinclass4.Ilike to studyEnglishandmathsmore thanother subjects. Ilikeplaying caramboard.My favourite animal is lion. I likekarate and like singing, like so many other things andmommytoo.Iwanttobeanengineerinthefuture.

My name is Rhitik Sanjyal and I am 10 years old. I amstudyingatclass4.Ilikestudyingandmyfavouritesubjectismaths.My favouriteanimal is lion.Myhobbiesare singing,dancing and reading. I like playing football. I want to be adoctor.

MynameisRoshan Sanjyal.Iamstudyinginclass7.Iam13yearsold. I liketostudysciencemorethanothersubjects. Ilike playing football. My hobbies are reading, dancing, andvisitingnewplaces.Iwanttofly,Iwanttobecomeapilot.Icameherewhen Iwas little, and Ihavemanybrothersandsistersnow,andalovelymommy.

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I am Manju. I am 5 years old and I am ingrade1.I’vebeenintheHelplessColonyfor1year. My favourite animal is deer because ithas many horns. My favourite subject isNepali.MybestfriendisPabin.IloveMommybecauseshelovesmesomuchandsheisverybeautiful.

Myname isSantosh but everybodycallsmeKandza because I am the youngest in myfamily.Iam6yearsoldandIamingrade1.Iwouldliketohaveonecatandonedoginmyhousesothatthecatcankillthemiceandthedogcanprotectthehouse.Iliketowatchthechicken that liveonour roof.OurMommy islikemyownmomtome.

MynameisPabin,Iam8andI’mingrade2.I’vebeenhereforabout3years.Myfavouritetoy is the remotely operated helicopterthough I don’t have it. I’d like to be a boxerwhen I growup. I am sohappy livinghere Iwouldliketostayhereforever.

MynameisUtsav.Iam10andIgotograde5.My favourite game is football and myfavouriteplayerisPele.Myfavouriteplacetovisitisthezooandmyfavouriteanimalisthetiger.I’dliketobecomeadoctorwhenIgrowup.

I’m Kumar. I am 11 years old and I’m ingrade6.I’vebeenherefornearly3years.Myfavourite subject is math. I love playingcricketwithmyfriends.Iamverydisciplined,I love studying and I want is to becomesmarter.IdreamtobeabraveGurkhasoldier.

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MynameisSuroj. Iam11.Iamingrade5.Icamehere5yearsago.Iliketoplayandread.Ialwayswininmemorygames.IwanttobeascientistwhenIgrowup.Mywishistomakeeverybodyhappy.

Myname isSushila. I am12yearsoldand Iamingrade8.MyfavouritesubjectsareMathand Science. I love to play badminton and Ilovevisitingwiththevolunteers.Myfavouriteplace in Nepal is Pokhara though I haven’tbeenthere.I’dliketobeadoctorsothatIcanhelp people. I wish that I could always bewithmyHelplessColonyfamily.

MynameisHira.Iam13andI’mingrade8.My favourite subjects are Science andMath.Myfavouriteanimalisrabbitbecauseithasanice white colour. When I grow up I wouldliketobearichmansothatIcanhelpothers.I like to visit temples and my favourites inKathmandu are Swayambu and Bodhanath.MommysavedmewhenIwasverysickwithmeningitissoIthinkIamalivethankstoher.

I am Ujjwal. I’m 14 years old and I go tograde9.Myfavouritesubject ismathandI’dliketobeanengineerwhenIgrowup.Iwishthat our Helpless Colony grows bigger andstrongerandneverendsandthatmyfutureissuccessful. I am very thankful to theorphanage because it helps to make myfuturebright.

My name isRohit. I am 16 years old. I’m ingrade 9. I joined the orphanage almost 10years ago. My dream is that I have severaldogsandeverymorningIcangojoggingwiththem.OnedayIwouldliketobea lawyersothatIcanhelppeoplewhodidnotgetjustice.IlikewhenthevolunteersvisitbecauseIcanaskthemquestionsabouttheircountriesandlearnfromthem.Itisveryimportantthatthevolunteerscomeherebecausetheorphanageisrunbyasinglewomanwhodoesn’tgetanyothersupport.FormeMommyiseverything.

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IamAlisha. Iam18. I like tosing. Iwant tobe a nurse. I’m here from the start of theorphanage. I love thewhole family and I amveryhappytobehere.

I amNanu. I’m 37. I started this orphanagebecauseIcomefromaverypoorfamilyandIdon’t want other children to have the samedifficulties when growing up and whengetting educated as I had. I loveplaying andsingingwithchildrenandIwantthechildrentoalwaysbehappyandsmiling.Ireallywantthe volunteers to come here to help thechildren and also to contribute to theorphanageeconomically.Mydreamisthatwehaveourownhousesothatwecanlookaftermore orphans, play with them and cook forthem.TherearemanyothersinglewomeninNepal and I would love to organize freetraining for them to help them to improvetheirlife.

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3. Monthlybudget:maincostsInthischapterweexplainthecostsofrunningourorphanagetohelpunderstandourneedforsupport.TheseareaveragecostsovertheyearastheyappearedinMay2014.Forsomeitemsthatappearonlyonceortwiceayear,wehavemadeayearlyestimationanddivideditby12togetamonthlyaverage.AllcostsareinNepalirupees(Rs).1US$approximatelyequals95Rs.WehavealsoincludedtheamountsinUS$foreasierunderstanding.

Theorphanage is runon thebasis of donations that are solicitedmonth tomonth.A smallportionofincomecomesthankstothevisitingvolunteers.Wehavenopermanentsourceofincome and no government support. As the donations are irregular,we have to constantlylookformoredonationstocoverourcosts.

MonthlyinRs MonthlyinUS$COSTS May2014 May2014Buildingexpenses 45,108 $475Fooditems 38,292 $403Schoolitems 41,288 $435TOTAL COSTS 124,688 $ 1,313

4. Costsdetail MonthlyinRs MonthlyinUS$COSTS May2014 May2014House costs Houserent 35,000 $368Electricity 1,200 $13Telephone 900 $9Water 800 $8Garbagecollection 400 $4Internet 1,700 $18Mobilephones 1,000 $11TVsubscription 400 $4Lightbulbs 500 $5Mosquitorepellentliquid 208 $2Otherhousecosts(smallrepairsetc) 3,000 $32Total house costs 45,108 $ 475 Food costs Rice 12,000 $126Dalblackandred 3,600 $38Beans 2,000 $21Bittenriceforkidsschoollunches 3,600 $38Vegetables 2,000 $21Potatoes 2,700 $28Chickenmeat 3,200 $34Gasforcooking 6,000 $63Oilforcooking 2,400 $25Soapanddetergentpowder 792 $8Total food costs 38,292 $ 403 (the table continues overleaf)

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School costs Schoolfees 29,750 $313Schooluniforms 1,583 $17Schoolsportsuniforms 1,000 $11Schoolshoes 1,225 $13Schoolbooks 3,167 $33Schoolsupplies 833 $9Schoolbags 992 $10Sandalsforhome 238 $3Hospitalexpenses 2,500 $26Total school costs 41,288 $ 435 TOTAL COSTS 124,688 $ 1,313

5. ActivitiesplanIn order to raise the standard of living and tomake our colonymore sustainable,wehaveidentified a number of investments thatmust bemade.We are looking for the sources offinancialhelpinordertoimplementthoseactivitiesandyoucanfindthemlistedherebylevelofurgency.

• PRIORITY: Tables for studying and eating Asoftodaywearealwayseatingonthefloorandwearedoingourhomeworksittingonthefloor.Havingatableonwhichwecoulddoourhomeworkwouldbeextremelyusefulforus.Weneed3tablesand6benches.Thetotalcostsofalltheseitemswouldbe50,000Rs($526).

• PRIORITY: Big lamps DuetolimitationsoftheNepalielectricitygrid,wegetelectricityonlyseveraltimesadayforsomehours.Itwouldbeveryusefulforustoobtainbigrechargeablelampssothatwecoulddoourhomeworkwhenthereisnoelectricity.Wehave5roomssoweneed5 lamps.The costofone lamp is1,500Rs, so the total costwouldbe7,500Rs($79).

• PRIORITY: Electric rice cooker Wehave to cook a lot of rice and currentlywe are using a gas rice cookerwhich isinconvenientanddangerous.Anelectricricecookerwouldmakeour lifea loteasier.Thecostofaricecookeris5,000Rs($53).

• PRIORITY: Cupboard for children’s shoes Wedon’thaveacupboardsoall thechildren’sshoesaresimply lyingon the floor.Acupboardmightcost8,000Rs($84).

• Hangers for clothes Wealsoneedhangersforclothes.Weneed4hangersatacostof3,000Rs,totalcost12,000Rs($126).

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• Vacuum cleaner Theonlywaywecancleanthefloorsrightnowisbyswipingthem.Avacuumcleanerwouldbeextremelyusefulforus.Thecostofavacuumcleaneris5,000Rs($53).

• Sewing machine Ouronlysewingmachinebrokedownrecentlyandweneedanewoneurgently.Jyotiwho is studying embroidery is very good at sewing clothes. The cost of a sewingmachineis5,000Rs($53).

• Children’s games Most of our games are old and out of order.We would love to get two badmintonrackets, twotable tennisrackets,a football,abasketballandsomeboardgames.Thetotalcostofallgameswouldbe5,000Rs($53).

• Mixer Whenwe need to cut garlic and other vegetables,we sometimes have to beat themwithstones.Amixerwouldmakethingsmuchquicker.Thecostis2,000Rs($21).

• Solar panels The electricity is one of our major costs. More importantly, we get electricity onlyseveral timesadaydueto limitationsof theNepalinetwork.Thesolarpanelswouldprovideuswithapermanentsourceofelectricity.Thecostofpurchasingandinstallingasolarpanel is20,000Rs.Wecan install twosolarpanelsonourroof,whichwouldcost40,000Rs($421).

ALREADY DONE:

• PRIORITY: First aid kit Wedon’thaveanymedicinessowheneverthereisevenasmallmedicalproblem,wehavedifficulttimeaddressingit.Thecostofonefirstaidkitis1,500Rs($16).

6. OurambitionOurmostimportantambitionandourbiggestdreamistohave our own house.Ourbiggesttorture is having to constantly look formoney topay themonthlyhouse rentwhich is ourbiggestfixedexpense.ThecostofapieceoflandandahousefitforanorphanageinNepalisabout10,000,000Rs($105,000).

UPDATE: In July-August 2014 we moved to a new house located in the same area. Inaccordancewith theGovernmentofNepal'sregulations for thenumberofchildrenthatcanliveinoneroom,thisnewhomeisbiggerandwillthereforebeabletoincreasethequalityoflifeofthechildren.TheColony'sfinancialsituationdoesnotallowtopurchaseextrafurnitureforthehousehowever,andsoonecannoticethatthelivinganddiningroomdonothaveatable,andthatmostoftheoutsidewallshavenotbeenpaintedyet.

ThismoverepresentsanimportantstepinthelifeofallthechildrenoftheHelplessColony,andwehopethatmanyofyouwillcomevisitournewhouseandhelpusmakeitawonderfulplacetoliveforallitsresidents!

7. HowtobeavolunteerinourcolonyOver the years we have had more than 100 volunteers in our Happiness Colony. We areeagerly looking forward to welcoming our new volunteers because they provide us withinvaluablehelp.

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Theactivitiesinwhichwemostoftengethelpfromvolunteersareasfollows:

- SpeakingEnglishwithus- Playingwithus- Helpingwithourhomework(English,math,science)- Organising and taking part in our extracurricular activities (play football and

cricket,takingwalks,goingtothemovies,visitingtemples)- Helpingwiththehousework(cleaning,cooking,fixingclothes)- Administeringfirstaid

If you have any specific skills, such as business, marketing, teaching English, plumbing,electrician, building, nursing, sowing, sports, thiswould be extremely helpful for us as youcouldbothapplyyourskillinourhouseand/oryoucouldteachusthisskill.

8. VolunteeringanddaytodaylifewithusTheusualdayofavolunteer intheorphanagebeginsaround7amwhenwestartdoingourhomeworkandthevolunteerscanhelpus.Afterwe’veallhadourbreakfastataround8.30,the volunteers take the little children to their school and the rest of the children take theschoolbus.Fromabout9.30toabout4pmthevolunteershavefreetimewhichcanbeusedtodiscover the local culture and to visit themany tourist attractions around the Kathmanduvalley.Wecomeback fromschool at about4pmand thenweallplayandhangaround thehousetogetheruntilaround6.30whenwealleatdinnertogether.IntheeveningwedoourhomeworkandwewouldappreciateifyouweretheretohelpuswithanythingfrommathtoEnglishtoscience.Wegotosleepataround10pm.WehaveadayofffromschoolonSaturdayandwesuggestthatthevolunteersspendthewholedaywithus.AttheendofSeptemberandbeginningofOctobertherearetwoweeksofholidays inNepalduringwhichwedon’tgotoschool.

It is critical that the volunteers offer financial support to secure the sustainability of ourorphanage. It is important to understand that when the volunteers come throughintermediary organizations, only 10-15%of the fees they pay eventually reaches us. If youcometousdirectly,100%ofthemoneygoestotheorphanage.

Weproposetothevolunteerstocontributeasfollows.Thiscontributionincludesthecostsoftheaccommodationandthefoodintheorphanage.

Lengthofstay 1week 2weeks 3weeks 1monthContribution 15,000rupees 20,000rupees 25,000rupees 30,000rupees =$158 =$211 =$263 =$316

WewouldalsogreatlyappreciateifthevolunteerscouldcontributetothefutureactivitiesasdescribedinChapter5.

Somepastvolunteershavewrittenintheirblogsabouttheirexperienceshere.Youcancheckouttheirblogshere:

http://inspiremisilly.wordpress.com/2013/12/22/the-helpless-colony/

http://gretchensmueller.blogspot.com/2011/01/helpless-colony.html

Ifyouhaveanyotherinquiriesorwouldliketohearfromformervolunteers,pleasefeelfreetocontactAlekseiataleksei.trofimov@gmail.comandWilliamatw.guicheney@gmail.com.

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9. ActivitiesweprovideforthevolunteersWeareextremelyhappytoaccompanyourvolunteersintheirsightseeingtripsandtoteachthemwhatweknowaboutNepaliculture.Weofferthefollowingactivitiestothevolunteers:

• Sightseeing KathmanduisafantasticcityfullofUNESCOWorldHeritagesites.Welovegoingtotheworld famous temples of Swayambu Temple (the Monkey Temple on the hilloverlooking Kathmandu) and Boudhnath Temple (the largest stupa in Nepal). TheBoudhanilkantha Vishnu Temple is literally just a 15 minutes walk from theorphanage. There is also a Krishna Temple nearby. The entrance to the ShivapuriNationalParkisalsoveryclosetotheorphanageanditispossibletotakea3-hourhikeup the Nagigumba peak to the Lhundrup Choeling Monastery. There are also somemeditationcentersnearby.

• Learning about Nepali language and culture All the kids in the orphanage speak English and go to school where English is thelanguageofinstruction,butofcoursewecomefromalloverNepalandfromallkindsof backgrounds. No volunteers go away without a deeper understanding of NepalicultureandwithoutacquiringquiteaNepalivocabulary!

• Cooking Nepali food Ourmainfoodisdalbhat,whichissteamedricewithacookedlentilsoup.Wealwaysaddsomecurrytoourdalbhat.WelovecookingotherNepalifoodshoweverandwewouldenjoysharingourknowledgewiththevolunteers.

10. PracticalinformationHelpless Colony is located in the region of Kathmandu called Boudanilkantha. The exactaddressoftheorphanageisNarayanthan,Ghumti,Pasikot.YoucanfollowthislinktoseetheGoogleMapslocationoftheorphanage.

NarayanthanisasuburbofKathmanduwhichiscenteredarounda largetempledevotedtoVishnu(alsocalledtheBoudhanilkanthaTemple).Thetempleisabout15minuteswalkfromtheorphanage.Therearemany local food restaurants, internet cafés and shops in theareaaround the temple.Alsowithin thewalkingdistance isaKrishna temple,KatmanduAnimalTreatmentCentreandamonasterywhichcanbereachedafterahikeupthemountainsintheShivapuriNationalPark.

Theeasiestwaytoreachtheorphanagefromtheairportistotakeataxiwhichcostsaround1000rupees.Wecanpickyouup fromtheairport if that ismoreconvenient foryou.FromThamel,thetouristicareainthecentreofKathmandu,thetaxitotheorphanagecostsaround400rupeesandittakesabout30minutes.OurvolunteersoftentakeapublicmicrobusfromThamelwhichcosts20rupeesandisaculturalexperienceinitself.

Approximatedistancestodifferentlocationsofinterest:

• Nearestpublicbusstation–10minuteswalk,• Nearestphone/internetcafé–15minuteswalk,• NearestmajortouristicareaThamel–30minutesdrive,• Nearestmedicalservicesforminorailments–15minuteswalk,• Nearestmajorhospital–30minutesdrive.

Ourhousehas4floors.Thechildren’sroomsarelocatedonfloors2and3.Thekitchenisonfloor3.Weusuallyeatonthelargeterracethatislocatednexttothekitchenonfloor3.Thevolunteersliveintheirownroomonthetopfloor.Theroomcanbeclosedanditisperfectly

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safe to leavepersonal things there.Thereare twoshowers/toiletswhichare located in thestaircasebetweenthefloors.Weonlyhavecoldwater.Electricityisonforonlyseveralhourseachday.FromourhousewecanseethemountainsthatmakeuptheNorthernridgeoftheKathmanduvalley.Thehouseissurroundedbyfieldsandotherdetachedhouses.Onholidaysweplaycricketorfootballinthefieldnexttoourhouse.

ThecostsoflivinginNepalarerelativelylowbyWesternstandards.Forexample,thecostofalunch in a local restaurant is 100-150 rupees (1-1.5USD). The cost of accommodation andfood at the orphanage is includedwithin the contribution and you can expect to spend nomorethan10USDdailyforotheroptionalexpenseslikevisitinglocallandmarksorgoingtorestaurants.ThevolunteersusuallybuygiftsfortheirfamilyintheareaofThamelwhereyoucanbesuretofindgreatdeals.Forexample,anauthenticpashminascarfcancostabout300rupees. Major credit cards are accepted in local ATM, the Nabil bank and the NepaliInvestmentBankATMsarethemostreliableonesandcanbefoundthroughoutKathmandu.

Westronglyadviseourvolunteers to takeoutan insurancepolicy for thedurationof theirstayinNepal.Withregardstothenecessaryimmunizations,pleasefollowtheCDCguidelineshttp://www.cdc.gov/travel/indianrg.htm.

Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival in theKathmandu International airport. 30-dayvisacosts40USDand90-dayvisacosts100USD.Becarefulwhenyouarrivenottofollowthetoutsthatwilltrytoleadyouthroughtheairport:theyareharmlessbuttheyexpectalargetip.When applying for a visa,we advise our volunteers to simply state that they come fortourism, as stating that they come to work as volunteers may lead to a snowballingbureaucraticprocess.

Wesuggestthefollowingpackinglist:

• Camera• Mobilephone(itisveryeasytogetalocalSIMcard)• MapofKathmandu/guidebook• Mosquitorepellent• Toiletries• Firstaidkit• Sunglasses• Sunblock• Towel• Flashlight• Electricadapter(thecurrenthereis220volts,50Hz,tworoundedpins)

11. ContactinformationThereisanumberofwaysthroughwhichyoucancontactus.

Ourmainemailaddressishelplesscolony2@hotmail.com.

PleasevisitoutFacebookpage:http://www.facebook.com/helplesscolony1.

Ourfixedlandlinenumberis(+977)14370947.

ThemobilephonenumberofNanu(manageroftheHelplessColony)is(+977)9841770351.ItisbettertoarrangeaphonecallwithNanuinadvancesothatNanuhassomeonewhocantranslateforherfromEnglishtoNepali.ThemobilephonenumberofAlishawhospeaksgoodEnglishis(+977)9860048736.

Incaseyouwouldliketomakeadonation,hereareourbankrequisites:

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Accountholder'sname:NanuRaiBankname:EverestBankLimitedBankSWIFTcode:EVBLNPKAAccountnumber:02800501203763

WealsohaveaP.O.boxwherethedonationsofclothesandschoolsuppliescanbesent.TheNepali localpostalsystem isnotveryreliableso it isagood idea tosendanyparcelwithaspecializedlogisticscompany.TheaddressoftheP.O.boxis:

NanuRaiP.O.Box:15142KantipurParcelCare:488Kathmandu,Nepal

12. Photosofourhouse

Childrensroom

Childrensroom

Thehouse

Commonroom

Kitchen

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Theviewfromtheroofofthehouse

Theviewfromtheroofofthehouse