HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES
Few of us can imagine the immense challenges HIO families face each day. The only certainties are bone chilling cold in winter, stifling heat in summer, hungry mouths to feed, and illnesses to be cared for. If a child arrives at school sick, hungry or unrested, her chances of having a productive school day are greatly diminished. For our educational intervention to be most successful, we must provide a family-centric approach to wellness.
Sital prepares healthy meals and snacks at our Chandra Kala Center. Photo by DeeDee Morris.
Berkowitz Nutrition Program
Generously funded by Arthur and Lisa Berkowitz since 2018, HIO offers a robust nutrition program for our families in Kathmandu. Two massive food distributions serving more than 200 families are organized annually. These beautiful community-building events occur near the beginning of the new school year in May and in November after Dassain, the largest Nepali festival. A month’s supply of staples, such as beans, rice, eggs, cooking oils, spices, and basic cleaning supplies, provide a measure of security to families without causing dependence. The fund also provides daily healthy meals and snacks for all programs at our two learning centers. For many preschool children, their school lunch is the only substantial meal they may eat in a day.
Generously funded by Arthur and Lisa Berkowitz since 2018, HIO offers a robust nutrition program for our families in Kathmandu. Two massive food distributions serving more than 200 families are organized annually. These beautiful community-building events occur near the beginning of the new school year in May and in November after Dassain, the largest Nepali festival. A month’s supply of staples, such as beans, rice, eggs, cooking oils, spices, and basic cleaning supplies, provide a measure of security to families without causing dependence. The fund also provides daily healthy meals and snacks for all programs at our two learning centers. For many preschool children, their school lunch is the only substantial meal they may eat in a day.
We provide each of our HIO families with a month worth of staples two times per year. Photo by DeeDee Morris
Preventative Healthcare
Preventative healthcare is not the norm for families living in profound poverty. HIO provides awareness workshops and screenings to empower our girls and their families to take control of their own health. Older girls and their mothers learn about such topics as menstrual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, and the dangers of child marriage and teen pregnancy. We partner with local doctors to provide annual health camps, including OBGYN screenings. Dental and eye care and psychosocial counseling are coordinated through partnering clinics. Water filters were distributed to 50 families in early 2023 as part of a pilot project to improve the quality of drinking water in families' homes.
Preventative healthcare is not the norm for families living in profound poverty. HIO provides awareness workshops and screenings to empower our girls and their families to take control of their own health. Older girls and their mothers learn about such topics as menstrual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, and the dangers of child marriage and teen pregnancy. We partner with local doctors to provide annual health camps, including OBGYN screenings. Dental and eye care and psychosocial counseling are coordinated through partnering clinics. Water filters were distributed to 50 families in early 2023 as part of a pilot project to improve the quality of drinking water in families' homes.
Women and teen girls from the HIO community receive free medical screenings at our Chandra Kala Center. Photo by DeeDee Morris.
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With generous funding from the Adara Group, HIO girls receive dental screenings and follow-up care each year.
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Emergency Relief
The family-like nature of our HIO community encourages quick response to emergency situations. The devastating 2015 earthquakes in Kathmandu brought fear and uncertainty to nearly all of our girls and their families. Our Nepal team, led by Ram, was immediately on the ground, providing counseling and delivering much-needed relief. Monsoon rains bring flooding to many of our girls’ homes each year, along with the need to replace household items that have been ruined or washed away. At times, an HIO girl or one of her family members is struck with debilitating illness or an emergency medical situation. In such times of hardship, our Emergency Relief Fund promotes our belief in a culture of caring.
The family-like nature of our HIO community encourages quick response to emergency situations. The devastating 2015 earthquakes in Kathmandu brought fear and uncertainty to nearly all of our girls and their families. Our Nepal team, led by Ram, was immediately on the ground, providing counseling and delivering much-needed relief. Monsoon rains bring flooding to many of our girls’ homes each year, along with the need to replace household items that have been ruined or washed away. At times, an HIO girl or one of her family members is struck with debilitating illness or an emergency medical situation. In such times of hardship, our Emergency Relief Fund promotes our belief in a culture of caring.
HIO families living in the Balkhu Slum face many challenges due to regular monsoon flooding.