Happy Kids Center
Donation protected
The Happy Kids Center
Our Misson
Our mission is to build community through caring for children, supporting education, and empowering families.
Our Vision
5 years from now we wish to have a system in place that supports these kids from their first day st HKC all the way through to career planning. With strong facilitators, support from the parents and a safe space (hygienic, protected from environmental conditions) this can be achieved.
Brief Summary of the HKC
Happy Kids Center was started October 2015 in Bhelukhel, Bhaktapur, a place where the vast majority of Bhaktapur's inhabitants have not stepped foot. Based off of Nepal's ancient caste system, the people who live in this areas are considered "lowest of the low," the untouchables. Built out of wood, bamboo and love, this center has provided 80 children with a safe space to explore their creativity and most importantly experience the most basic right of having a childhood for two full hours per day. In a life that consists of collecting cardboard and plastics to sell for a mere 50 rupee per day, these two hours of pure happiness and exploration instils a sense of self-exploration, a sense of community and a sense of self-worth. Thanks to our two wonderful Nepali teachers, community members and volunteers these kids have a support system that is unprecedented in this community. This support not only reaches the kids but extends to the whole family through a variety of programs such as parent meetings, block parties and classes.
Stats and figures
Kids | 80 kids, 34 of them are from the slums and the rest are Dyola caste
Founded | October 2015 by three friends to give a safe and enjoyable space for children
Funding | Fundraising sites such as GoFundMe.com or asking family and friends through email
International Partners | 0
Founder | Johanna Contat
Manager | Nicole Heker
Facilitators | Chadani Dyola, Preerana Prajapati
Property | We are on the same land as the Dyola school but are a separate organization
Structure | Wood, bamboo, tin, carpet
Needs
Facilitators Salary
Cost: $1,200/year
Facilitator training
It is important for our facilitators to be trained for both their empowerment and to better assist the kids. While we are not a school, we want our center to be growth oriented, focusing on problem-solving skills and critical thinking. VHS Bhaktapur, a German-run NGO in Bhelukhel area offers montessori style teacher training. This is a program we are eager to engage with.
Cost:
Infrastructure
Raising the floors, insulation, preparing for rain damage, fixing a broken drainage pipe that consistently floods the center.
Cost: $1,000
Volunteer aid
Our volunteers are our bloodline. To take care of them we wish to offer Cultural Information Seminars and Nepali langugage courses to they can better connect to the
kids and to the community. This is done through VHS Bhaktapur.
Cost Breakdown |
CIS - $18.69 for the two-day seminar
Nepali Language - $7.47/hour
Hygeine
Our kids and our facilitators need to be protected from water borne diseases-- a very common occurence in our community. A water filter called "Life Straw" has been
donated by a local NGO for drinking, however we are still in need of a handwashing station where the kids can learn to wash hands-- Simple prevention for deathly disease.
Cost: $40.38
Excursions
Many of these kids have never left Bhaktapur. We would like to take them to Ganesh temple and other historic places around the area.
Cost: $50 for lunch on the way
Photo Exhibit
The kids have taken to photography and are quite good!! We want the kids to have control in how they are being represented to the international community so we are
hosting a few photo exhibits in the coming months of their photography. The money needed will go to renting the space and printing the photos
Cost: $50 per exhibit for printing the photos
Our Misson
Our mission is to build community through caring for children, supporting education, and empowering families.
Our Vision
5 years from now we wish to have a system in place that supports these kids from their first day st HKC all the way through to career planning. With strong facilitators, support from the parents and a safe space (hygienic, protected from environmental conditions) this can be achieved.
Brief Summary of the HKC
Happy Kids Center was started October 2015 in Bhelukhel, Bhaktapur, a place where the vast majority of Bhaktapur's inhabitants have not stepped foot. Based off of Nepal's ancient caste system, the people who live in this areas are considered "lowest of the low," the untouchables. Built out of wood, bamboo and love, this center has provided 80 children with a safe space to explore their creativity and most importantly experience the most basic right of having a childhood for two full hours per day. In a life that consists of collecting cardboard and plastics to sell for a mere 50 rupee per day, these two hours of pure happiness and exploration instils a sense of self-exploration, a sense of community and a sense of self-worth. Thanks to our two wonderful Nepali teachers, community members and volunteers these kids have a support system that is unprecedented in this community. This support not only reaches the kids but extends to the whole family through a variety of programs such as parent meetings, block parties and classes.
Stats and figures
Kids | 80 kids, 34 of them are from the slums and the rest are Dyola caste
Founded | October 2015 by three friends to give a safe and enjoyable space for children
Funding | Fundraising sites such as GoFundMe.com or asking family and friends through email
International Partners | 0
Founder | Johanna Contat
Manager | Nicole Heker
Facilitators | Chadani Dyola, Preerana Prajapati
Property | We are on the same land as the Dyola school but are a separate organization
Structure | Wood, bamboo, tin, carpet
Needs
Facilitators Salary
Cost: $1,200/year
Facilitator training
It is important for our facilitators to be trained for both their empowerment and to better assist the kids. While we are not a school, we want our center to be growth oriented, focusing on problem-solving skills and critical thinking. VHS Bhaktapur, a German-run NGO in Bhelukhel area offers montessori style teacher training. This is a program we are eager to engage with.
Cost:
Infrastructure
Raising the floors, insulation, preparing for rain damage, fixing a broken drainage pipe that consistently floods the center.
Cost: $1,000
Volunteer aid
Our volunteers are our bloodline. To take care of them we wish to offer Cultural Information Seminars and Nepali langugage courses to they can better connect to the
kids and to the community. This is done through VHS Bhaktapur.
Cost Breakdown |
CIS - $18.69 for the two-day seminar
Nepali Language - $7.47/hour
Hygeine
Our kids and our facilitators need to be protected from water borne diseases-- a very common occurence in our community. A water filter called "Life Straw" has been
donated by a local NGO for drinking, however we are still in need of a handwashing station where the kids can learn to wash hands-- Simple prevention for deathly disease.
Cost: $40.38
Excursions
Many of these kids have never left Bhaktapur. We would like to take them to Ganesh temple and other historic places around the area.
Cost: $50 for lunch on the way
Photo Exhibit
The kids have taken to photography and are quite good!! We want the kids to have control in how they are being represented to the international community so we are
hosting a few photo exhibits in the coming months of their photography. The money needed will go to renting the space and printing the photos
Cost: $50 per exhibit for printing the photos
Organizer
Nicole Heker
Organizer
Princeton Junction, NJ
