HOPAD finances the education of 20 young people living in the home. The young people attend 3 different schools in the area. The schools are primary, secondary and higher secondary education focused. Furthermore one of the young people attends a nursing course at “Alka Hospital”. For further reference school records are available upon request.

There has been a need to support the young people educationally at home as well as at school. Therefore tutors have been employed. They are focusing on the core subjects Mathematics, Science and English. The tutors arrive at the home after school every day in the week for 1.30hrs. The focus lies on practicing for school exams and completing the homework timely and correctly. This additional support aims for the young people to be organized with their schoolwork and supports them to succeed in education. This program has already shown success, as school achievements have improved significantly for all children.

HOPAD has a big focus on education as the organization can see the benefit for the young people’s futures. HOPAD wants to equip their young people with skills that lead them into independence and a fulfilling future.

A good example for its focus on sustainability and future orientation is the computer program, which has started in November 2015 at will last 9 months. Since its start date 12 young people who are in or above grade 5 are attending three courses per week for 1.5 hours each time.

Furthermore, HOPAD plays a big role in the community as it also offers these courses to people living in the neighborhood. The current course has 26 participants and takes place every day, six days a week. Participants are women between 16 and 40 years of age and young people between the age of 16 and 18. The community computer course is a half year program which will come to an end in July 2016. This program gives its attendees the possibility to learn basic computer skills.

In order to deepen the young people’s knowledge as well as encourage leisurely reading, HOPAD had the idea of creating a library in the house. This room will provide the young people as well as staff and volunteers with valuable material to educate but also entertain the young people. Reading is an essential life skill, which is why HOPAD sees this project as a beneficial investment for the young people. At the moment the library consists of cupboards and study tables. The books are yet to be collected, for this HOPAD will seek to collaborate with Room to Read and other organizations. The idea is to have a rich mixture of literature, dictionaries, encyclopedias, children’s books, children’s games, magazines, newspapers and articles. This will enable the young people to complete research in specific areas for school and give them the possibility to improve their reading, writing and comprehension skills.

HOPAD knows that a balance between education and physical activity is fundamental for the young people’s development. Therefore a sport program has been established focusing on Judo. The classes take place 3 to 4 times a week and are tailored to meet everyone’s needs. All of the young people living in the house participate in the activities. Depending on their ability they are either trained in specific judo techniques or engage in play. HOPAD sees the importance of involving the community in those activities, which is why three of the participants are attending from the local neighborhood.

Judo does not only provide a platform for the young people to get rid of their energy but also helps them to develop an understanding of rules and order and engages them in physical activities which are supporting their general wellbeing. Through the sports program the young people have the possibility to grow in strength but also emotionally. Their self-esteem as well as confidence is the main focus. The result of the ongoing Judo classes can be seen in the success HOPAD’s young people have when competing nationally as well as internationally. Since its beginnings HOPAD has competed in several competitions such as the CWCN international Judo Competitions, AmbicaBahadurChhetri, National Judo Cadet/Junior Championship, the NECOS all Nepal Judo Championship, The National Sambo Championship 2016 on the occasion of International Olympic day. They have won three team prizes where they reached Team one first and two the second post and they have several young people who achieved individual medals for the first places, as well as prizes for best players in the games. Due to the success in this area, four young people qualified for international competitions in India and one for a competition in Russia this year.

Before 2015, HOPAD had to rely on local water supply, which could leave them without water for a day if there was not enough. It was unpredictable as to what the next days would bring which created a burden for the young people and staff. Through the grant it was possible for HOPAD to establish their own secure water provision through constructing a well and an extra water tank underground. The well was completed in October 2015 and the works on the tank finished in May 2016. The implementation of those two installations ensures that the project has a continuous water supply that makes it self-sufficient.

Furthermore in early 2016 the works for solar panels and a photovoltaic installation were completed as well. This project ensures that the project has electricity supply as well as hot water throughout the whole year. Before the panels were applied the home was without enough hot water, which had a negative impact on the young people, especially in wintertime.

All of these constructions around the self-efficiency of the project were delayed for a long time due to the fuel blockages from India. The work was started as soon as the roads were free again, however, it took some time to start. All in all, the projects are all up and running now and the benefit for the young people can be seen in the possibility of doing homework with lights on, as well as being able to wash with warm water in winter.

The grant also made it possible for the home to implement a filter system for clean water. As widely known the water quality in Nepal is very poor and is the main cause for infant deaths across the country. This is the reason why it is so important to filter drinking as well as cooking water before using it for consummation. The grant made it possible for HOPAD to ensure clean water for the young people in the house in order to keep them safe and healthy.

The water quality has been tested and is not yet satisfactory so further tests and improvements will be implemented. For the time being, drinking water is provided by the public pipeline.

HOPAD established a program together with the local Rotary Club which will focus on hygiene and proper water usage. This will be held in a form of an information workshop for staff and the young people.