The Ama Ghar kids are required to do community service projects, so they learn the importance of helping others. Five of our kids chose to help the Sattya Arts Collective on their project to clean up Hariyo Chowk and turn it into a public space. Here’s what Sattya said about Ama Ghar on their page in kickstarter.com: “In Nepal, a …
Ama Ghar Grand Opening Celebration!
Saturday, November 12 was the happiest day yet in the history of Ama Ghar – the Grand Opening party for our beautiful new home in Godavari. We are very proud of our new home, built through the generosity of our donors with sustainable power and waste systems and traditional Nepali design. On Saturday, we welcomed over 400 people to a …
Vijaya Dashami!
Dashain is the most important holiday in Nepal, and the biggest festival of the year. The 15 days of celebration, which are devoted to worship of the goddess Durga, end on the full moon. In preparation for the holiday, every home in Nepal is cleaned and decorated (including Ama Ghar). The first nine days of the holiday, called Nawa Watri, …
A Festival Honoring Girls and Women
Every year during late summer (in Nepal, it’s just before the first day of Ganesh Chaturthi, which usually falls in August or September) there is a festival for women. Dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, commemorating her union with Lord Shiva, the festival is a celebration of marital bliss where married women pray for the good health of their husbands and children, and …
Snakes and Earthquakes – Oh My!
Here’s a note from Bonnie about the weekend’s excitement at Ama Ghar: “This past weekend has been very eventful at Ama Ghar. Saturday morning, we gathered with anticipation to harvest the balance of our corn crop. While we were in the corn field, a very large snake made itself known – and pandemonium ensued! Surely the snake was as frightened …
Ten Years of Transformation…
“Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead On August 1, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the founding of Ama Ghar, and …
Fireflies and New Friends
Our beloved volunteer and friend, Anna-Marie Nilsson, joined us again last month at Ama Ghar. A teacher in the Bay Area, she brought along five students – Amara Plaza-Jennings, Sasha Marie Ward, Lauren Boranian, Suzanne Abbey and Sarah Atkinson – who had the adventure of their lives in Nepal! They fell in love with the Ama Ghar kids (it was …
Ice Storms and Art Projects
A report from Bonnie follows… “Another average week at Ama Ghar…always the unexpected and a quick update of what has been happening. Our bio-gas is up and working, currently supplying one burner in the kitchen. The exterior land around the bio-gas tanks and man hole covers will eventually become …
Providing a home, family and education to children who otherwise may not have had the chance
A wonderful article from the Nepali Times, written by Ama Ghar volunteer Neil Dixit – hope you enjoy! Ama Ghar – Providing a home, a family and education to children, who otherwise may not have had the chance TEXT & PHOTOS by NEIL DIXIT Bonnie Ellison, Country Director of Ama Ghar, remembers the day the children arrived in Godavari after …
Another Great Volunteer Experience
We invite you to read this lovely letter from Ama Ghar visitor Mischa Noll, which he recently sent to the children. Enjoy! Dear Ama Ghar, It has been two months now since I was in your home and was lucky enough to be a part of your daily lives. Ama Ghar is full of wonderful personalities, and I still smile …