Some of the children from the Happiness Colony Orphanage
The following is a trip report from David Carlson who recently visited the Nepal Orphanage (April 5-13, 2011).
Summary
I visited the Happiness Colony Orphanage (HCO) on April 6 and Sushanta Babba’s home (the orphanage director) and three schools on April 7-8. Cathy Carter of Lei Lotus (a US retailer located in Portland, Oregon), also a supporter of the orphanage, was with us for all these visits. I had further discussions with Sushanta on April 13, primarily background on his life and how he came to support children.
Sushanta with the assistance of Lei Lotus, Holy Ground Farm (HGF) and others, supports the orphanage and pays the educational expense for a number of other children. He said they are currently assisting 51 children including the Happiness Colony Orphanage kids. I found the kids delightful and cheerful and Sushanta transparent about financial matters.
There is no structure or organization, this endeavor is essentially a small number of caring individuals. This means there is no plan or mechanism for continuity if key players leave, die or become ill.
Sushanta with the assistance of Lei Lotus, Holy Ground Farm (HGF) and others, supports the orphanage and pays the educational expense for a number of other children. He said they are currently assisting 51 children including the Happiness Colony Orphanage kids. I found the kids delightful and cheerful and Sushanta transparent about financial matters.
There is no structure or organization, this endeavor is essentially a small number of caring individuals. This means there is no plan or mechanism for continuity if key players leave, die or become ill.
Location
The Happiness Colony Orphanage is located in the north edge of the Kathmandu Valley. Compared to the hectic nature of the city, the area resembles a peaceful suburb on the edge of beautiful mountains.
Unfortunately, the area is not spared the horrible air quality which affects the whole valley. Sushanta lives on the other side of the valley requiring a fairly long taxi drive to visit HCO (which are not nearly as expensive as we are used to). Sushanta has discussed moving the orphanage, but Nanu the house mother, has resisted that suggestion.
Unfortunately, the area is not spared the horrible air quality which affects the whole valley. Sushanta lives on the other side of the valley requiring a fairly long taxi drive to visit HCO (which are not nearly as expensive as we are used to). Sushanta has discussed moving the orphanage, but Nanu the house mother, has resisted that suggestion.
Map of Nepal (Nepal is located between China and India)
Sushanta Babba
Sushanta is the key figure here. He is a New Zealander who converted to Hinduism as a young adult. His gurus told him his purpose was to help children and it appears that’s what he has been doing. He designs and has made jewelry, selling primarily into the European market. He is not proselyting or advancing any particular agenda I could determine. From his moderate income he has been paying school fees for a number of children. He married a woman that worked with him and is now a stepfather to her two children.
Sushanta comes across as very caring and thoughtful.
Sushanta comes across as very caring and thoughtful.
Happiness Colony Orphanage
HCO operates in a rented building with bedrooms, a kitchen, a single bathroom and a small shared area. A patio on the 2nd floor seems to the main congregating place. Clothes are washed and hung to dry on the roof. The bedrooms were very neat, with a large amount of clothes but not many obvious toys.
A woman named Nanu operates HCO. She does not appear to speak English, so I had little direct interaction with her, she appeared a bit reserved, but the kids swarmed around her.
Sushanta discussed a desire, really a wish, that HCO could have its own building, but land costs in the valley have risen to the point that is not practical (over $100,000 for a lot).
Sushanta said he works out a deal with the schools where he pays for three or four kids and gets one for “free”.
A woman named Nanu operates HCO. She does not appear to speak English, so I had little direct interaction with her, she appeared a bit reserved, but the kids swarmed around her.
Sushanta discussed a desire, really a wish, that HCO could have its own building, but land costs in the valley have risen to the point that is not practical (over $100,000 for a lot).
Sushanta said he works out a deal with the schools where he pays for three or four kids and gets one for “free”.
Schools
We visited three schools with widely varying facilities. All were private schools, which are considered much more desirable than government schools. I asked what made the private schools so much better and was told the teachers are paid at least twice as much.
The classrooms consisted of seating and a white board and that’s it, none of the educational support items we are used to. One school has a small computer room with three older computers but other than that there was no obvious technology being used.
The classrooms consisted of seating and a white board and that’s it, none of the educational support items we are used to. One school has a small computer room with three older computers but other than that there was no obvious technology being used.
Teachers grading papers in a classroom
The nicest school had been built recently with help from the Danish Government. The others were very old buildings in poor but workable condition. One of the schools had a tin roof and they mentioned when it rains they students can’t hear the teacher.
All students are taught English. I saw grading indicating four classes – English, Nepalese, Science and Math. The Science and Math classes are taught at least partially in English. This means every child I encountered could speak at least some English.
The schools teach grades one through eight. At that time the students are tested, which, if passed, leads to a Student Leaving Certificate (SLC), which appears to be a requirement for better employment. Some students will progress to “College” (we would say high school) and fewer will go onto “University”.
Even government schools require an annual payment for tuition, uniforms and books. For many families this means they cannot send all their children to school.
All students are taught English. I saw grading indicating four classes – English, Nepalese, Science and Math. The Science and Math classes are taught at least partially in English. This means every child I encountered could speak at least some English.
The schools teach grades one through eight. At that time the students are tested, which, if passed, leads to a Student Leaving Certificate (SLC), which appears to be a requirement for better employment. Some students will progress to “College” (we would say high school) and fewer will go onto “University”.
Even government schools require an annual payment for tuition, uniforms and books. For many families this means they cannot send all their children to school.