Since 2017, Maidenhead Bridge Rotary Club has supported HORAC (Home for the Rescue of the Afflicted Children), Nepal, alongside our partner, the Rotary Club of Faringdon and District.  We have been part funding and mentoring a student from HORAC on his agricultural sciences degree course.

HORAC was established 18 July 2005.  It is a non-profit organisation and is registered with the Nepal Government and the Social Welfare Council.

The main purpose of HORAC is to work for the welfare of the children. Many children lost one or both of their parents during the 10 Year War (1995 – 2005) or have been “given-up” by their very poor parents.  

Vision.  To provide the children with love, happiness, and mental, emotional and social support, a better education making sure they live normal lives with a better future, dreams and go on to make a significant contribution to their society and country.

Objectives.  HORAC has been founded with the following objectives:

1. To provide accommodation, food, education and parental love to the children.
2. To provide better medical care, health check-up services and care in case of sickness.
3. To impart to them better communication, leadership, teamwork skills, motivation and emotional support to achieve success in future.
4. To make sure they are not deprived of their fundamental rights and are not exploited

 
There are around 30 children in HORAC, mainly from Western Nepal; 20 children are in School; 7 in college, and 3 at University.   The HORAC Director is Tej Bikram Shahi and there are 8 staff members. 

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Impact of COVID Pandemic

How can you help?

Nepal has been badly hit by the pandemic; the country is in lockdown amidst a second wave of the virus.  Transmission rates and deaths are very high and the capacity of the health sector to deal with COVID patients is very weak. About one million people have left Kathmandu Valley seeking safety and better protection in mountain/hill villages.

HORAC relies on donations to pay for their house rent, food and school fees/expenses.  Up until the pandemic struck HORAC had relied on regular food donations from local people, and an overseas network raising donations from volunteers who have worked in the home and supported HORAC for many years.  Faringdon Rotary Club, together with other UK partners, has been supporting the education of HORAC students at college and university through the RP4E (Rotary Partnership for Education) project. 

Throughout the past 18 months there have been no overseas volunteers working at HORAC.  Now, international donations are down by around 60% and local support has also reduced as many Nepalis have lost their jobs and struggle to take care of their own families.  In summary, over these difficult times, HORAC is appealing for help to fill the funding shortfalls for rent, food, medical supplies and education. Normally, rent is £600/month; the monthly food bill is around £1000; education costs for all the younger children are about £10,000 per year.  The college students are funded through RP4E sponsors.  In addition there are expenses for medical supplies and cleaning/hygiene materials.  And HORAC has to maintain the Children's Home in order to meet local Government standards, especially relating to Health and Safety. 
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In response to this emergency our partner club Faringdon Rotary has set up an emergency fund for HORAC, managed by their International Project Group (IPG) to help the children in their hour of need.

Any donation, however modest, will be appreciated, and will contribute to changing the lives of these young people. 

If you would like to support HORAC, you can do so by sending your donation direct to The Rotary Club of Faringdon and District:
Sort 20 - 90 – 91
Account 80768812
Reference: HORAC MBRC. 

Please make cheques payable to The Rotary Club of Faringdon and District and write “HORAC MBRC Fund” on the back.

To help boost the fund, Faringdon Rotary Club can claim Gift Aid on your donation if you complete their gift aid form.