LEARNING CENTERS
Hidden Gems
HIO’s two learning centers are hidden gems in the harsh environment of inner-city Kathmandu. These bright, cheery spaces are lovingly brought to life by our highly skilled Nepal teaching staff, who we are proud to offer a decent living wage, good benefits and opportunities for professional development. All of HIO’s learners - from preschool children to our sponsored girls and their mothers - consider our learning centers like second homes. |
Chandra Kala and Sanepa
The Chandra Kala Center is housed in a three-story, earthquake-safe building. It is located in Nayabazar, a short walk from Thamel, one of Kathmandu’s bustling tourist centers. Tucked away on a safe side street where children can easily walk to and from school, the center is also home to our Sano Sansar office. HIO purchased the building after the devastating 2015 earthquake, thanks to the immense generosity of a long-time HIO sponsor. He’d developed such a heartwarming connection with his sponsored girl, Sunita Nepal. Sunita’s passion for learning and gracious spirit inspired him to name the building in honor of her mother, Chandra Kala, who’d sadly passed.
Our Sanepa Learning Center serves families living in the Balkhu Slum. This squatter community is located on the banks of the fetid Bagmati River, and it is under constant threat of being bulldozed by the Nepal government. Established in 2023, our Sanepa Center is housed in a new building a short walk over a newly constructed bridge that connects Balkhu to Sanepa’s safer and quieter neighborhood. Our Sanepa teachers and staff work small miracles, preparing HIO-sponsored girls to transition effectively to LMV, our partner school in Lalitpur. Teachers remain at Sanepa well beyond the regular school day to supervise older girls’ homework sessions and they make regular visits to their homes in Balkhu to help keep them on track.
The Chandra Kala Center is housed in a three-story, earthquake-safe building. It is located in Nayabazar, a short walk from Thamel, one of Kathmandu’s bustling tourist centers. Tucked away on a safe side street where children can easily walk to and from school, the center is also home to our Sano Sansar office. HIO purchased the building after the devastating 2015 earthquake, thanks to the immense generosity of a long-time HIO sponsor. He’d developed such a heartwarming connection with his sponsored girl, Sunita Nepal. Sunita’s passion for learning and gracious spirit inspired him to name the building in honor of her mother, Chandra Kala, who’d sadly passed.
Our Sanepa Learning Center serves families living in the Balkhu Slum. This squatter community is located on the banks of the fetid Bagmati River, and it is under constant threat of being bulldozed by the Nepal government. Established in 2023, our Sanepa Center is housed in a new building a short walk over a newly constructed bridge that connects Balkhu to Sanepa’s safer and quieter neighborhood. Our Sanepa teachers and staff work small miracles, preparing HIO-sponsored girls to transition effectively to LMV, our partner school in Lalitpur. Teachers remain at Sanepa well beyond the regular school day to supervise older girls’ homework sessions and they make regular visits to their homes in Balkhu to help keep them on track.
Early Learning Program
Each of our learning centers provides a foundational education for poor girls and boys who might otherwise spend their days on the street. The education they receive is at the highest level known in Nepal—equivalent to U.S. school standards. Our unique, three-year preschool program encourages independent learning skills. It prepares children to transfer successfully to government and private schools in Kathmandu.
The program is Montessori-based, taught in both Nepali and English. We are piloting a research-based English language curriculum, Literacy for Peace, that focuses on developing critical thinking and social emotional skills. Each learning center is equipped with a computer lab, internet access and a well-stocked children’s library. Children are introduced to Waterford Early Learning software that supports classroom lessons. Teachers connect to our Long-Distance Learning workshops from our learning centers, developing professional skills under the guidance of U.S. teacher trainers.
Each of our learning centers provides a foundational education for poor girls and boys who might otherwise spend their days on the street. The education they receive is at the highest level known in Nepal—equivalent to U.S. school standards. Our unique, three-year preschool program encourages independent learning skills. It prepares children to transfer successfully to government and private schools in Kathmandu.
The program is Montessori-based, taught in both Nepali and English. We are piloting a research-based English language curriculum, Literacy for Peace, that focuses on developing critical thinking and social emotional skills. Each learning center is equipped with a computer lab, internet access and a well-stocked children’s library. Children are introduced to Waterford Early Learning software that supports classroom lessons. Teachers connect to our Long-Distance Learning workshops from our learning centers, developing professional skills under the guidance of U.S. teacher trainers.
Storytime
All HIO girls are taught in English. It’s the global language of commerce and a key skill needed to escape the grip of poverty. HIO offers Storytime as part of our afterschool program, helping our girls gain comfort with English by listening to native speakers and practicing speaking the language themselves. They recite poetry, try out new vocabulary, and discuss story elements and themes. Nepali translators encourage the girls’ deep comprehension and critical thinking skills.
A wonderful group of volunteers from the U.S. leads Zoom sessions for 45 minutes each week, building a lovely global community through shared learning. Different genres and favorite authors are introduced to exercise girls’ imaginations — Nepali folktales, Leo Lionni, and titles that focus on social-emotional learning are among the books that have been shared. Volunteers are always on the lookout for engaging stories with strong girls and women as main characters.
Meeting clever, brave females in books encourages our girls’ own self-confidence. Through Storytime, they’re encouraged to believe in themselves, work hard, and realize that big dreams are within their reach no matter what challenges they may face.
Storytime was initiated in 2020 to lift our younger girls’ spirits during the global pandemic. Through the commitment and creativity of our learning center staff, a core of volunteers and the girls themselves, it has become a cornerstone of our after school educational programming. Imagine these girls reflecting on the pandemic in 2030. What better memories to build than connecting with HIO friends from afar and learning that small miracles are every bit worth wishing for?
All HIO girls are taught in English. It’s the global language of commerce and a key skill needed to escape the grip of poverty. HIO offers Storytime as part of our afterschool program, helping our girls gain comfort with English by listening to native speakers and practicing speaking the language themselves. They recite poetry, try out new vocabulary, and discuss story elements and themes. Nepali translators encourage the girls’ deep comprehension and critical thinking skills.
A wonderful group of volunteers from the U.S. leads Zoom sessions for 45 minutes each week, building a lovely global community through shared learning. Different genres and favorite authors are introduced to exercise girls’ imaginations — Nepali folktales, Leo Lionni, and titles that focus on social-emotional learning are among the books that have been shared. Volunteers are always on the lookout for engaging stories with strong girls and women as main characters.
Meeting clever, brave females in books encourages our girls’ own self-confidence. Through Storytime, they’re encouraged to believe in themselves, work hard, and realize that big dreams are within their reach no matter what challenges they may face.
Storytime was initiated in 2020 to lift our younger girls’ spirits during the global pandemic. Through the commitment and creativity of our learning center staff, a core of volunteers and the girls themselves, it has become a cornerstone of our after school educational programming. Imagine these girls reflecting on the pandemic in 2030. What better memories to build than connecting with HIO friends from afar and learning that small miracles are every bit worth wishing for?