Rainbow Home

Reception of Street Children

In Nepal, there are street children whom, for whatever the reason are not provided for, have no schooling and often not even enough to eat. Many of them roam the city and come into contact with other street children. Some use drugs or sniff glue and often join the street gangs. In addition they come in contact with tourists and gain mostly negative experiences. For these children, every day is a fight for survival. Petty crime, prostitution and lying are often a “way of life” for them.In the villages there are many children that are abandoned by their parents or one of their parents. At first, they may be picked up by relatives, stakeholders or the village administration. Many times, their capacity is so low that long term relief and care is not possible. In practice, this means that the children also roam the streets every day to try to get food together. During this time, they get no care and education. We are regularly approached by village authorities with the request that these children be included in the Rainbow Home program.Further, in Nepal there is a growing group of children with behavioural and / or psychiatric problems. For these children there is almost no place where the knowledge, experience and understanding of these issues is available. Due to this lack of knowledge, experience and understanding, these children often experience unnecessary and undeserved punishment as their behaviour is seen as antisocial and disobedient. They loose on all sides of the equation.For all of these children, they have often have had traumatic experiences. In addition, many have different ways to deal with development and behavioural problems. Mostly, their trust in adults has disappeared. Often, they have had only a limited education and many of the things they have learned are not always desirable. Some children have intellectual disabilities, some hyperactive and face issues with people contact. In short, a diverse group of children whom have one thing in common: Without our help, they will not make it!Rainbow Foundation Nepal believes that a child should not grow up in an orphanage, but in his own family and / or near home. The children in Rainbow Home are in anticipation of a return-to-home placement. Until then, we want to create an environment where the children are safe and secure. Under the general education system, the children are not taught problem solving abilities. We have developed a number of programs to teach the children problem solving abilities, for example: trouble shooting. In Nepalese culture the younger follow the older, but not always to via the best path. Our program in trouble shooting assists them to think for themselves. The children are accompanied by the Chidren Coaches of the Rainbow Home team, they are taught sports, games and cooperation. Attention is paid to the development of their creativity, thus increasing their problem solving abilities.

The stay of children in the Rainbow Home

The Rainbow Home has a maximum capacity for 40 children. The building has twelve rooms; all are equipped with a private bathroom. These rooms are primarily used as bedrooms, along with a homework room, relaxation room and an office. Although expensive, this building offers the space needed for the children and provides room for them to develop. Rainbow Home is absolutely no question of luxury; we do not want the children to get used to luxurious items only for these to be taken away when they return home. The deliberate and purposeful guidance of the children, along with the conscious creation of an environment for the child is a relatively new concept in Nepal. Despite the fact that the Nepalese workers, working within the Rainbow Home are open and welcome, they can soon lapse back into old patterns. Hence, direct coaching and presence of the Dutch coach in this project and start-up development stage is necessary.

The establishment and activities of the Rainbow Home

The establishment of the Rainbow Home is now complete thanks to the donations and gifts received. In the creative space, painting, pillows and toys are available. Because many of the children have poorly developed motors skills, they may choose to practice a sport: soccer, volleyball, badminton, table tennis or tai chi. The children have access to sports equipment, to encourage their motor skills development. The gardens of the Rainbow Home have a diverse range of play equipment, through the donations that were collected through Dutch primary and secondary schools.

Music lessons for the Rainbow Home children

For the children in the Rainbow Home, various musical instruments have being bought, which has attracted a music teacher. Many children whom have being traumatized are better able to express themselves through music then words. Musical lessons to support the children’s creative development is quite unique in Nepal.