LEARNING CENTERS
Developing Love for Learning
HIO funds two co-ed learning centers for marginalized children 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. Teachers deliver a Montessori-based program in both Nepali and English. Our preschools serve as pilot schools for Word Scientists, a research-based curriculum that builds children’s early English language skills.
Our unique, three-year early learning program encourages independent learning skills, preparing children to transfer successfully to government and private schools in Nepal. Teachers and staff earn a decent living wage, and receive benefits and opportunities to grow professionally.
Each learning center is equipped with a computer lab, internet access and a children’s library. Children use Waterford Early Learning software to support classroom lessons. Teachers connect to our Long-Distance Learning workshops where they develop their skills under the guidance of U.S. experts. Each school has a teacher serving as librarian, nurturing students’ curiosity and developing their love of books. A Be Part of Her Dream women’s education class is held for mothers, grandmothers, and aunties of HIO-sponsored children at each location.
HIO funds two co-ed learning centers for marginalized children 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. Teachers deliver a Montessori-based program in both Nepali and English. Our preschools serve as pilot schools for Word Scientists, a research-based curriculum that builds children’s early English language skills.
Our unique, three-year early learning program encourages independent learning skills, preparing children to transfer successfully to government and private schools in Nepal. Teachers and staff earn a decent living wage, and receive benefits and opportunities to grow professionally.
Each learning center is equipped with a computer lab, internet access and a children’s library. Children use Waterford Early Learning software to support classroom lessons. Teachers connect to our Long-Distance Learning workshops where they develop their skills under the guidance of U.S. experts. Each school has a teacher serving as librarian, nurturing students’ curiosity and developing their love of books. A Be Part of Her Dream women’s education class is held for mothers, grandmothers, and aunties of HIO-sponsored children at each location.
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Chandra Kala Learning Center
Chandra Kala is a quiet and industrious learning hub near Thamel, one of Kathmandu’s busy tourist districts. The three-story, earthquake-safe building is located on a safe side street where children can easily walk to and from school. The Chandra Kala Center is home to a free co-ed early learning program, a state-of-the-art training facility and HIO’s Nepal office. The program, known as Bal Kendra, was founded as a street shelter for homeless boys in the early 1990’s by social worker Kiran Tewari. It has evolved considerably over the years, and now includes girls. HIO-sponsored girls typically continue their education at Bijeswori, a nearby partner school, after receiving a solid foundation for learning at Chandra Kala. After the devastating 2015 earthquake, the program moved to a new building, thanks to the profound generosity of a long-time HIO sponsor. He’d developed such a heartwarming connection with his sponsored girl, Sunita Nepal. Her passion for learning and gracious spirit inspired him to ask that the building be named Chandra Kala in honor of Sunita’s mother who’d sadly passed. Manisha Shrestha, Chandra Kala’s lead teacher, was an HIO-sponsored girl from kindergarten through college. She now has a master’s degree in education and is a highly skilled English teacher. Billman Shakya is the Center’s compassionate supervisor. A street boy rescued by Kiran Tewari, Billman returned to school as an adult to earn a high school diploma. Strong Roots Learning Center Strong Roots is located in the Balkhu Slum, one of Kathmandu’s poorest districts. Residents live in a muddy, crowded area on the banks of the fetid Bagmati River in small, tin-roofed squatter huts. Few of these makeshift homes have windows, and none have electricity or plumbing. Strong Roots provides a beacon of hope for this highly marginalized population. Strong Roots teachers and staff work small miracles each day in the school’s tiny facility. Their commitment and dedication prepare HIO-sponsored girls to transition effectively to LMV, our partner school in Lalitpur. Teachers remain at Strong Roots well beyond the regular school day to supervise older girls’ homework sessions and to teach their mothers how to read and write. The sense of community that exists at Strong Roots is empowering. Strong Roots Foundation was founded in 2014 by Tejendra Lama, a Nepali social worker with a deep commitment to improving slum residents’ lives. After spending time speaking with local families, there was agreement that providing their children with access to early education had the potential to give them a chance for a better future. In 2016, HIO partially funded the purchase and renovation of the Strong Roots building and became an instrumental partner in the school’s development. |
Manisha Shrestha, lead teacher at Chandra Kala, expertly teaches English using the Word Scientists curriculum.
Children build on skills they've learned in class in our preschool computer labs.
Poonam Maharjan, lead teacher at Strong Roots, prepares children for independent learning using Montessori methods.
How You Can Help
HIO learning centers are gems. They offer excellent, free foundational learning to marginalized children in safe, loving classrooms. HIO treats teachers as true professionals. They earn a decent living wages and receive benefits. Your donation to HIO's Learning Centers ensures that children's love for learning is nurtured by caring and highly qualified teachers.
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