BACKGROUND
Nepal is located south of the Himalayan main chain, bordering Tibet to the north and India to the west, south and east. It is a country without natural resources, whose economic development has been slowed down by a civil war lasting for years and completely unstable political situation. Poverty determines the life of the approximately 30 million Nepalese, more than half of them are illiterate.
The consequences of this poverty are countless street children who populate the markets and temple squares of the capital Kathmandu. Children who get by stealing and begging and who spend day and night on the streets even in winter at temperatures below zero degrees.
PATH
In 1992, Nicole Thakuri-Wick came to Nepal for the first time, falling in love with the country, its people and its culture. However, shocked by the state of poverty, she felt the need to act, and help the children living on the streets. She was 23 when she decided to give these children a home, an education and hope for a brighter future, on 1st September, 1993, Nawa Asha Griha, Home of New Hopes, a sanctuary for these children, came to be. It was started with the help of Nicole’s mother, Judith Wick who did all the fundraising in Switzerland for more than 20 years, a close friend, Dr. Frédéric Perrier, who is until today part of the board, and the organization “Les Enfants du Nepal”, as well as donations from friends and family, who all continue to support NAG to this day. Her husband, Jeeten Thakuri, who she married in 1996, also supported her a lot and thanks to him, the school was later officially registered. Named Niten Memorial School after their deceased son, the school aimed to educate not only those in the home but also day scholars in need of quality education. In 1998, NAG got officially registered in Switzerland as STIFTUNG STRASSENKINDER HILFSWERK NAG. A few years later, in 2008, Jeeten Thakuri unfortunately passed away, however, NAG carried on, honoring his memory while growing in size and quality over the years. Having started off with only six children in 4 rented rooms, the home gradually grew over time to be the place it is today, educating over 450 children a year out of which 200 live in the home. Striving to provide quality education and a good home to the children of Nepal, NAG has become a sanctuary for those who would have never received a chance at a decent life.
