A List for Papa’s House Children

To fulfill an item on this list, please include a note on the donation page that mentions the gift. We thank you for your generosity!

1. A few children have very crooked and bucked teeth. One of our first girls to be fitted for braces wore them for over two years. Currently there are four other girls in braces; and a waiting list of seven more of our Dhapasi children. After the Lawajuni girls move here, the list will grow by five or six more. Braces run $465 per child plus supportive expenses of about $35/child. So $500 would cover braces for a child. Give this gift
   
   
2. Nepal Orphans Home is opening a new home in Dhapasi for thirty of our Lawajuni girls. Specific costs include:
   • Rent of $533 per month or $6,400 for one year.
   • Educational costs are $200 per child per year. For thirty children, the total is $6,000.
   • Salaries for a staff of three average $2,850 for a year.
   • Kitchen equipment and furniture, including bedding cost $1,500.
     Give this gift
     
     
3. After-school tutoring at our homes to help the children with homework costs $55 per teacher each month. Six teachers would cost $330 per month or $3,960 for one year. Give this gift
   
   
4. We have been gifted four very small laptops that are new, and two used laptops. We would love to have a few more. Currently staff is using all but three of the small laptops. We have approximately sixty children who would like regular time on these to augment their school computer class. As it is, the three laptops provide for only six children in two shifts or twelve children total per day. Another six small laptops would be most helpful to our ability to give two dozen more children thirty minutes each on them. These are not internet-connected; they simply teach typing with an interactive typing program and then software and other skills. Such laptops cost approximately $400 each. Give this gift
   
   
5. A few rooms have a radio/cassette player. Having a player in each room would be nice. Based upon our current four homes, two dozen more radio/cassette players would be needed, each them runs approximately $21. Give this gift
   
   
6. Very warm wool shawls for the winter would be welcome and could take the place of jackets for all the girls. We have no heat and the girls and boys wear their jackets, sweaters, and stocking caps after eating dinner. The shawls would allow warmth while offering more maneuverability and a sense that the day has finished and night has arrived. The range, depending upon a bulk purchase, would be $5 to $8 each. We will likely have 106 girls in Dhapasi by the time the shawls are needed. Give this gift
   
   
7. Small digital cameras are a hit with the children. We have had numerous volunteers who spend time showing selected groups of children how to use the cameras and then developing their photos. We have about six children who are always eager to have this opportunity. Each camera runs about $50. Give this gift
   
   
8. For science instruction, having microscopes and telescopes in each children’s home would be helpful. Estimated costs are $75 for a good microscope and $90 for a good telescope. Give this gift
   
   
9. Having thick throw rugs, 7’ x 9’, for each room to cover the bare cement floor which gets cold in the long winter would be wonderful. Often the children sit on the floor when doing their homework. We will have a total of forty children’s rooms. Long-lasting local rugs run on average $80 for this size. Give this gift
   
   
10. For each home having one nice bookcase, that would hold maybe 100 good-size books would be nice. A local carpenter would make these bookcases for $50 each. Then, adding to our collection of books would encourage reading. We receive a discount at “The Educational Book Store” in Kathmandu, and we estimate it would cost us about $260 to stock each bookshelf with educational and good story books. These would be all English books, from nursery stories to science books, young reader novels etc. In each home we would designate a room for a library and the books would remain always in that room, and only those who are spending time with the books would have access to the room. Give this gift
    
    
11. Comb and brush sets for each girl cost about $7 each. Give this gift
    
    
12. We had eighteen hours per day last winter without electricity, and it may be even more this year. The children are not allowed to use candles in their rooms. We buy local flashlights that are rechargeable, but they last for only one month on average. A good rechargeable battery lamp light that provides 3 hours of light would help the children to do their homework. One battery lamp per room, costing $20 to $23 each, would be great. Give this gift
    
    
13. We could use more clothes cabinets for all the children. Currently one cabinet for hanging and stacking clothes is shared by four children. The metal cabinets that we use are 36” wide by 70” high and 20” deep and run $61 each. Give this gift
    
    
14. Two bicycles, one large and one small. The children would be allowed to ride the bikes on the large playground at Papa’s Samanjasya (Harmony) House. Here they could learn how to ride and also have some fun doing so. $55 buys a simple bike. Give this gift
    

Compiled by Michael Hess

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