Families in the region face harsh geography, food shortages, economic hardship and frequent natural disasters. The pandemic and a civil war deepened these struggles, leaving many children without food, education, or living parents. With no other options, children are often forced to work for mere cents, breaking stones or sifting through garbage to survive. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We are working to create a new reality for the children of Surkhet one where, despite ongoing hardships, they find comfort, compassion, and a strong, supportive community to help build a brighter future. The Kopila Valley Children’s Home opened in 2007, built brick-by-brick by the people of Surkhet and with the help of friends around the world.

The lack of government-run social service programs creates the need for organizations like BlinkNow and Kopila Valley Children’s Home to provide for the children of Nepal. The home is all that the word “home” implies: cozy, warm, bright, cheerful. Like any other house and any other family, we are brothers and sisters, mother and children. Children range in age and are under the care and guardianship of Kopila Valley Sewa Samaj, and a loving team of full-time Nepalese Aunties and Uncles who provide love, mentorship, nutrition, and care. Children are accepted in cooperation with our local government, when they have no other housing options.

We live communally. We love and respect each other. Our kids happily do chores, go to school, and help with meals. The family always sits together for homemade, nutritious meals. You can also find the children reading under the gazebo, flying kites on the roof, jumping rope, or playing cricket, marbles, or badminton. Every evening, just before tooth brushing and light sout, we gather for a “Satsang” to sing songs, talk about our day, and have quiet time as a family.