The smiles and charm of homeless children in Nepal mask the ugly realities of their struggles to survive in one of our planet’s most underdeveloped, impoverished countries. Government social services for the poor, abandoned, physically impaired and sick are almost non-existent, especially for the throwaway, homeless children who are too helpless, too frightened and too ignorant to seek help from any source. Kathmandu and other large towns are filled with child beggars and physically damaged children haunting temples and squatter settlements, struggling from day-to-day for survival. The purpose of our efforts becomes a passionate force when we are able to rescue these children from their harrowing backgrounds and give them a chance at a decent life.
”My journeys to Nepal began with the shared desire of most ardent mountain hikers - to experience the rugged drama of the towering, ice-layered Himalayas and the simple, mountain villages scattered along ancient walking trails. The most profound effect of my explorations, however, was my abrupt awakening to the wretched level of poverty in the country, so impacting that my life turned a sharp corner and without reflection my next twenty-three years, my cause and my joys, became children of Nepal; the throwaways, the damaged and the forgotten. Beginning with one child, and with the continued discovery of other endangered children, a program began that grew to support and serve hundreds of children. It was the hands-on, one-on-one, personal involvement with so many of the individual children, however, that became such an inherent part of my life and maintained my enthusiasm and commitment, through hard times occasionally, and most definitely through countless waves of good times and emotional highs. As my time in the presence of these children grew, so did my admiration of their generous and sacrificing natures.�?
Allan Aistrope
“Orphans, Gods and Rajendra’s Wedding�?/p>