My Nonprofit Reviews

We have been supporters of Himalayan Children's Charity for many years now but had an opportunity to go to Nepal for the first time in March. It was incredible and enlightening to experience such a rich and vibrant culture and to see, first-hand, our sponsored child and the entire HCC family, in their element, in Kathmandu.

My husband and I went to Nepal knowing about it's dire economic situation and poverty, but we were still unprepared for the culture shock we felt. Seeing the living situations of some Nepalis and the post-earthquake wreckage, made us appreciate and respect the work of HCC even more. To have taken these extremely unfortunate children out of orphanages, and off the streets, and given them a real chance at life- an opportunity to become something- is truly extraordinary.

On two occasions, we visited HCC's "Kushi Ghar" (Happy Home), where the sponsored kids stay when they are not in boarding school. It was located in a nice, safe neighborhood. As the older kids showed us around, they explained that they learned basic life skills here; how to cook, do chores, maintain cleanliness and be a responsible person. We had many opportunities to spend quality time with the kids throughout the trip. They guided us during our sightseeing, took us through the markets and helped us negotiate, celebrated a Nepali wedding with us, and a few of them even came along on a three day trek in the amazing Annapurna mountains with us.

On our last day, we were able to see the first of the HCC children graduate at the beautiful Yak & Yeki Hotel. As I looked around at the children's faces here, and not only the graduates, it made me realize something: the HCC kids looked different than other children in Nepal. They smile with confidence; they are educated; and each of them speak with excitement about following their dreams and giving back to their country. This is what HCC is about and why we love to support them.