Firefly Children's Home

Here are some pictures of the new sewing machine we have purchased. The didis (staff) are teaching the girls how to tailor their own garments and learn something of the trade.

Tomorrow is Women’s Day in Nepal, a highly celebrated event. Married and unmarried women sing and dance all day long in public squares and temples. Generally the women are dressed in red saris and fast on this day for longevity of their husbands, or if unmarried, to have good looking husbands! It’s a loud and cheerful celebration until late at night. I understand the children at the orphanage will be celebrating so we may see some pictures of that.

Update: Here are some pictures from the Women’s Day celebrations!

Exam results! Off to college! Work opportunities! I hope you will enjoy reading this update.

I will email you all with a document on each of the 23 children, detailing their social and emotional progress. I trust you will enjoy reading about your sponsored child/ren.

The day was always going to arrive – when one of our children finished school – but it is hard to believe we are there!

Bijay, one of the first children to enter our orphanage in 2004, is now 17 and finishing school. He is being funded by his sponsor, Enora, to go to college in Kathmandu and complete a management course. In his spare time, Bijay has been working in a bike shop to gain work experience. All the best to Bijay!

Punam, our eldest girl now 16, is working in a cafe kitchen on weekends to gain work experience. She is interested in cooking and hospitality and with only one year left of school, she is keen to get some experience behind her.

We are looking at other work and apprenticeship opportunities for the children who are soon to be 16, especially for those who are not academic. These activities include sewing, handicrafts and beauty therapy. Under Indira’s guidance and with her business connections, we are keen to get them ready for the day when they do leave school and have to make decisions about their future. Naturally, all the children will always be a part of the Firefly family (and some may choose to be involved/employed at the home). Our goal now is to nurture them into further study or employment as far as we see fit, and if appropriate giving them a bonus to get them started.

As for the younger ones, they continue to focus on school, helping out at home and learning about gardening, hygiene and social awareness.

Volunteers recently created a cartoon film as an afterschool activity, with the children as actors. The children enjoyed learning about the process and of course loved watching themselves!

Below are the children’s exam results for the first school term of their year (April-July). Five of the children failed in Maths options, so we are going to get the afterschool tutor to make it his focus this term. The other subjects include Nepali, English, Science, Art, Geography/Social Studies and Computer Studies. The percentage is an overall mark for all the subjects.
Bibek 85%
Nishu 91%
Bishesh 95%
Bidi 86%
Ashish 85%
Arati 78%
Laxmi 95%
Sabin 75%
Rajib 78%
Bikash 78%
Sujan 86%
Sarita W 46%
Kashmir 89%
Sajina 92%
Santosh 80%
Sarita L 62%
Sushma 74%
Kalpana 72%
Punam 48%
Shanti 85%
Ranjana 46%
Aita 65%
Rupesh 59%

Thanks for your continued support.