Our girls and their families in Nepal were delighted to receive 200 hand-made hats from knitters all over the U.S.
SOME OF YOUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If your question is not answered here, please write to [email protected]
How many girls does HIO sponsor?
We currently sponsor 175 girls in grades K-college
We currently sponsor 175 girls in grades K-college
Why does HIO only sponsor girls?
In Nepal’s patriarchal society, girls are undervalued and face systematic discrimination. As a result, HIO decided to present sponsorship opportunities solely to girls to promote gender equality.
In Nepal’s patriarchal society, girls are undervalued and face systematic discrimination. As a result, HIO decided to present sponsorship opportunities solely to girls to promote gender equality.
How are girls chosen for HIO sponsorship?
Girls are chosen based on economic need and a family’s belief in the power of education to transform lives. Girls are identified by our experienced Nepal social work team, along with teachers and trusted school administrators.
Girls are chosen based on economic need and a family’s belief in the power of education to transform lives. Girls are identified by our experienced Nepal social work team, along with teachers and trusted school administrators.
What is the expected commitment from an HIO sponsor?
We ask sponsors to support a girl’s yearly education costs through 12th grade.
We ask sponsors to support a girl’s yearly education costs through 12th grade.
What does my yearly sponsorship donation cover?
75% of our girls attend day school. The yearly donation for a day student is $900 and $1,800 for a boarding student. This covers school tuition as well as our wraparound services - uniforms, bus travel to school, healthcare, afterschool programming, home visits, and counseling.
75% of our girls attend day school. The yearly donation for a day student is $900 and $1,800 for a boarding student. This covers school tuition as well as our wraparound services - uniforms, bus travel to school, healthcare, afterschool programming, home visits, and counseling.
Do sponsored girls’ families contribute financially to their education?
Many of our families are headed by single mothers already struggling to pay for food and rent, and all families face economic challenges, so we do not require a financial contribution.
Many of our families are headed by single mothers already struggling to pay for food and rent, and all families face economic challenges, so we do not require a financial contribution.
Does HIO own the schools that sponsored girls attend?
No, HIO partners with four excellent co-ed schools in Kathmandu Valley, each with a total student body of between 600-900. We foster close connections between our Nepal staff and school administrators to help our girls meet with academic and social success.
No, HIO partners with four excellent co-ed schools in Kathmandu Valley, each with a total student body of between 600-900. We foster close connections between our Nepal staff and school administrators to help our girls meet with academic and social success.
Can sponsors write letters to HIO girls?
Yes! We encourage communication between sponsors and girls. Letters can be sent to Ricky at 1504 Silver Street, Sheffield, MA 01257 or Laura at 38 Abner Potter Way, South Dartmouth, MA 02748.
Yes! We encourage communication between sponsors and girls. Letters can be sent to Ricky at 1504 Silver Street, Sheffield, MA 01257 or Laura at 38 Abner Potter Way, South Dartmouth, MA 02748.
Can sponsors connect with their girls through e-mail or social media?
Electronic letters can be sent to [email protected]. We strongly discourage sponsors from connecting with girls through any form of social media while she is enrolled in an HIO program. All communication with sponsored girls is facilitated through HIO staff.
Electronic letters can be sent to [email protected]. We strongly discourage sponsors from connecting with girls through any form of social media while she is enrolled in an HIO program. All communication with sponsored girls is facilitated through HIO staff.
What is the cycle of the school year in Nepal?
The school year begins in early April in Nepal. There is no long break in the summer months. Nepal is on holiday for two major festivals in late October/early November when schools shut down for a month. Students attend classes from Sunday through Friday.
The school year begins in early April in Nepal. There is no long break in the summer months. Nepal is on holiday for two major festivals in late October/early November when schools shut down for a month. Students attend classes from Sunday through Friday.
When do I pay for my girls’ sponsorship?
HIO sends a yearly bill in early March to cover the Nepali school year. Your sponsorship fee may be paid in one lump sum or as a recurring donation, monthly or quarterly. You can easily set up a recurring payment schedule on the donate page of our website.
HIO sends a yearly bill in early March to cover the Nepali school year. Your sponsorship fee may be paid in one lump sum or as a recurring donation, monthly or quarterly. You can easily set up a recurring payment schedule on the donate page of our website.
What do sponsored girls do after school?
HIO provides afterschool programming for girls in 1st - 10th grade where they complete homework with the help of peers and mentors. Afterschool activities such as sports and music classes are uncommon. Girls typically do not have afterschool jobs.
HIO provides afterschool programming for girls in 1st - 10th grade where they complete homework with the help of peers and mentors. Afterschool activities such as sports and music classes are uncommon. Girls typically do not have afterschool jobs.
What happens to a girl if her sponsor can no longer support her?
We maintain an education fund that guarantees the annual tuition of every sponsored girl, even if a sponsor cannot fulfill their full commitment. If a girl is very young, we assign her to another sponsor on our waiting list.
We maintain an education fund that guarantees the annual tuition of every sponsored girl, even if a sponsor cannot fulfill their full commitment. If a girl is very young, we assign her to another sponsor on our waiting list.
Can a sponsorship be shared?
Yes! We have many groups who pool their funds to sponsor a girl. We ask that one person serve as the key contact for billing and correspondence.
Yes! We have many groups who pool their funds to sponsor a girl. We ask that one person serve as the key contact for billing and correspondence.
Do all sponsored girls do well in school?
HIO sponsored girls span the range of academic ability. Most are average students, some need additional support and some excel in the classroom. Economic and other challenges mean many do not have access to academic help at home. We encourage all girls to work to their fullest potential, and we organize extra help and tutoring whenever possible. All girls have their individual gifts and we strive to celebrate them.
HIO sponsored girls span the range of academic ability. Most are average students, some need additional support and some excel in the classroom. Economic and other challenges mean many do not have access to academic help at home. We encourage all girls to work to their fullest potential, and we organize extra help and tutoring whenever possible. All girls have their individual gifts and we strive to celebrate them.
Can my sponsored girl join our family in the US for the summer?
We discourage sponsors from discussing or proposing visits to the US (even casual mentions, which may raise false hopes or expectations). It’s exceedingly difficult for Nepali students to get visas to the US and creates complex cost and liability issues. We focus our resources and energies on supporting our girls in their own communities.
We discourage sponsors from discussing or proposing visits to the US (even casual mentions, which may raise false hopes or expectations). It’s exceedingly difficult for Nepali students to get visas to the US and creates complex cost and liability issues. We focus our resources and energies on supporting our girls in their own communities.
Can I visit my sponsored girl in Nepal?
Yes! HIO organizes sponsor trips to Nepal from time to time. We organize home visits and fun events where sponsors and girls can meet and interact. Sometimes sponsors organize trips to Nepal on their own. Our Nepal team is happy to arrange a visit with your sponsored girl.
Yes! HIO organizes sponsor trips to Nepal from time to time. We organize home visits and fun events where sponsors and girls can meet and interact. Sometimes sponsors organize trips to Nepal on their own. Our Nepal team is happy to arrange a visit with your sponsored girl.
Is HIO a registered non-profit? Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes. HIO is a registered non-profit organization with the IRS (EIN: 56-1628 440). Your contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. An HIO tax receipt is sent by mail for every contribution.
Yes. HIO is a registered non-profit organization with the IRS (EIN: 56-1628 440). Your contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. An HIO tax receipt is sent by mail for every contribution.
Does HIO own the schools that sponsored girls attend?
No. All of our partner schools are owned and managed separately. Sano Sansar, our Nepal sister organization, owns the Chandra Kala learning center property where our HIO office is located. The learning center that serves the Balkhu community is rented.
No. All of our partner schools are owned and managed separately. Sano Sansar, our Nepal sister organization, owns the Chandra Kala learning center property where our HIO office is located. The learning center that serves the Balkhu community is rented.
How do I change my credit card information or the amount of my donation if I’m a recurring donor?
Our credit card donations are processed through Donorbox. You can change your information by creating an account and logging into their site. If you prefer, you can call Laura at 508-951-1287. She'll enter your new card information on the site. We discourage donors from sending credit card information through email.
Our credit card donations are processed through Donorbox. You can change your information by creating an account and logging into their site. If you prefer, you can call Laura at 508-951-1287. She'll enter your new card information on the site. We discourage donors from sending credit card information through email.