Ama Ghar was the vision of our Founder Shrawan Nepali, who spent part of his childhood at Paropokar orphanage in Kathmandu. With the support of his godmother, Ama Tika Basnett, and Peace Corps volunteers who befriended him, Shrawan went to the U.S. to complete college and establish a successful career.

But he never forgot those less fortunate that he left behind in Nepal, so he founded Ama Ghar in 2001 – the first 14 children arrived at Ama Ghar during that year. Since that time, Shrawan has been an integral part of our Ama Foundation Board as well as the Ama Ghar Board in Nepal. Although he is no longer an active participant on these Boards, he has been our inspiration and our leader as we have built Ama Ghar from 14 children in a small rental house to a warm and loving home for 54 children and counting, based in the lush Godavari Valley outside Kathmandu.

Shrawan spends a few months in Nepal each year, which delights the Ama Ghar children, who love seeing and spending time with their Shrawan Uncle. Without his compassion and support, the children who have “graduated” from Ama Ghar would never have accomplished their dream of an independent life.

In 2006, he also founded Curry Without Worry, an organization that feeds hungry souls each week in San Francisco, California and Kathmandu, Nepal.