Gonkyap a Nepalese orphanage (1).
The Enchanted Children of Gonkyap Orphanage (no. 1 in the trilogy).
Contact partners and associations at the bottom of the page. These children need everything: material help, financial aid, medical care. Anyone who can help is asked to contact the associations directly.
In Nepal, the reality of children living in orphanages, particularly around Kathmandu and Gonkyap, reflects a complexity of socio-economic and cultural factors. These children are often orphaned by a variety of circumstances, including poverty, armed conflict, natural disasters and health problems, as well as harsh living conditions in the mountains, forcing parents to find external solutions to feed the family and provide for their education. Orphanages become shelters for these vulnerable children.
In Kathmandu, the Gonkyap orphanage is run by a local association that tries to implement various initiatives including educational programs, health care and efforts to encourage national adoption where possible. The associations rely mainly on donations from NGOs, private donations and international volunteering, which makes them very precarious. Some initiatives also rely on the windfall from tourists, offering treks where part of the money collected goes to the orphanage. As far as education is concerned, the Nepalese government has launched campaigns to improve access to primary and secondary education for all children, including those living in orphanages. However, despite these efforts, challenges remain. Some orphanages face problems of overcrowding, and moreover, the social stigma associated with orphaned children persists, which can hinder their future integration into society. To address these issues, the Nepalese government is also working on raising public awareness to reduce stigma and encourage domestic adoption. Media campaigns and community programs are deployed to change perceptions and foster social inclusion.
As part of my trip to Nepal, I wanted to see the extent of the problem and share my feelings. As soon as I arrived, I was struck by the sobriety of the orphanage’s facilities, but also by the general good humor of the children and their carers. Having finished our morning wash and preparations for school, we all set off on our way to a small school on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Then an idea surfaced to pay tribute to the courage of these children and the whole team. We asked each child to do what they love best, which is to draw a picture signed by themselves. This drawing will be their identity card, along with their portrait. After a few moments, it was done, and with great pride, each child posed for posterity. The originals have been preserved, and we hope to bring together all these beautiful works in a book dedicated to them.
Kathmandu (Nepal)
Galery
Gonkyap children’s portrait gallery
To contact the associations :
Inspire Nepal
E-mail : info@inspirenepal.com – Phone : +977-984-1614175
