Namaste!
My name is Goni. I am a freedive instructor and an avid backpacker. I've started this fundraiser after a chance encounter that deeply moved me-
My travels have led me to Nepal, where, in the city of Pokhara, I saw a man handing out flyers in the street. He was looking for volunteers, and as I was intrigued, we started a conversation.
His name is Kul and he used to be a trekking guide before taking up social work. Kul established an orphanage for underprivileged children, and more specifically, for orphaned children of the Dalit (Shudra, "Untouchables") caste.
In Nepal, especially in the countryside and in the rural areas of the country, the Hindu caste system is still being practiced. The Dalit caste is the lowest one in the Hindu social hierarchy, and traditionally, it's members are victims of deep discrimination and neglect. This discrimination reaches all aspects of life, including the Dalit's social rights, the level of education they are eligible for, the occupations they are allowed to practice, their religious rights and duties, the people they are allowed to date and marry, and more...
The Dalits are often the victims of violence, forced labor and social bans, as well as refusal of entry into public and religious places.
For more information about the Hindu caste system in Nepal, the Dalit caste and its discrimination, you can check out :
The orphanage is located at Lahachok village, 35 minutes away from Pokhara.
I visited the orphanage and met with the children and their teachers. I was greeted with many smiles and laughing children, who wanted to talk, practice their English, and play in the yard with me.
The orphanage is home to 30 children, aged between 4-15 years old. It provides them with food, clothes, medical care and education.
After the visit, I was thinking of what it's like to be an orphaned child and be born into the Dalit caste. I was wondering about these children's past, what their present looks like, and most of all, what the future holds for them...
I asked Kul how I can help. He said that money to feed the children is needed, and besides that, winter is coming to Nepal, so the main objective now is to get money to buy warm clothes for all the children in the orphanage. Another objective is to provide them with school equipment, such as notebooks, pencils, pens, etc...
Since Kul is not familiar with online fundraising platforms, he asked me to manage this campaign for the orphanage. The money that will be raised will be sent to Pokhara, where Kul will collect it.
I believe that together we can help these children.
Please share this fundraiser with your family and friends, and with anyone who you think might help.
Let's make sure the children are well fed. Let's make sure they will have a warm winter. Let's make sure they can get the education they deserve.
Let's create a brighter future for them. Together.
Prabhat Children Organization website:
https://prabhatorg.wixsite.com/love
Prabhat Children Organization FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566859941150