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Our Work - Sunrise Orphange
Background
Sunrise Orphanage was formed in July 2005 when Emma Taylor (President, SCAI) collaborated with a team of enthusiastic Nepalese people who were doing ad hoc volunteer work at the time, and were searching for something more permanent.
Sunrise Orphanage was officially registered as a non-profit social welfare organisation with the government of Nepal (#718/061/062) and affiliated with the Social Welfare Council (#18089) in July 2005.
The orphanage is managed by a Nepalese committee consisting of seven local business men and women, headed by chairperson Sangita Bhandari.
For more information on SCAI, please download information booklet by clicking here
Sunrise Children
Sunrise Orphanage is home to 70 children who have been orphaned or abandoned. The children have come to Sunrise because of various unfortunate situations, resulting from various economic, political, geographical and societal issues;
- Around 86% of Nepali people live in rural areas, often living with no electricity and very little trade. There are still few roads connecting them to a nearby town, often being several days walk away. This results in a severe lack of health care and often ends in death of parents as well as children.
- The child mortality rate (<5years) is estimated at a national average of 10.4% and even higher in some of the more remote areas. Many of these illnesses and diseases are preventable.
- An illiterate young woman living in a village with young children and bereaved by the sole breadwinner is often not able to feed her children. In desperation, women like these come to Kathmandu in the hope of finding work, or otherwise, a way for her children to be cared for.
- Children are also commonly being bereaved by both parents as a result of the Maoist conflict. These children are often quietly starving in remote villages. If they are lucky enough to be brought to Kathmandu, then orphanages like ours can help.
Sunrise Home
Currently the children are housed in one large rented premises named Daisy. There are 10 live in carers, who fulfill the roles of aunty, uncle, carer, cook, cleaner, washer and friend. All of these live in staff are paid a standard local Nepali wage.
Daisy house is situated approximately 45 minutes east of the centre of Kathmandu on the outskirts of the valley. It is 10-15 minutes walk from the local school attended by the children.
SCAI are currently saving to buy land in order to build Sunrise Children’s Village. Click here for more information, or contact emma@scai.org.au.
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