Kathmandu, Nepal

  Aviation for Humanity was honored to visit the children of The House of Hope in Kathmandu, Nepal. The House of Hope is a home for girls at risk in the region. Operated by a generous humanitarian family, and supported by Kidstown International, this house is home to twenty girls ranging in ages from pre-school to middle school.
 
  At risk and often abandoned due to economic, religious and/or unfortunate life-events, these girls would be homeless without the support of The House of Hope. While homelessness affects all genders, girls are disproportionately disadvantaged due to male-gender-favoritism rampant here in the Nepali culture. Unfortunately, traditions and social practices favor male children while females are often seen as an unwanted burden and occasionally abandoned in hopes of saving financial means for a boy child.
 
 Kimberly Perkins of Aviation for Humanity spoke to the girls of The House of Hope about the importance of staying in school, answered questions, and shared stories of being a pilot and a mom in hopes of empowering these young women to look beyond the harmful stereotypes and cultural stigma that is rampant within their reality. The girls were eager to share their enthusiasm and love of music with performances of dancing, singing and playing their musical instruments. Music, an obvious passion, unifies these girls and provides hope and strength within their home. 

   When Aviation for Humanity asked the girls how we could best support them, the response was for art supplies and a guitar. We have provided funds for procuring paints and canvases while on-site. And, once back in the United States, we fundraised and received enough donations to purchase a guitar for the girls of The House of Hope. Thank you to our wonderful donors, you make the world a more beautiful place!

  Aviation for Humanity would like to thank the residents of The House of Hope and the Kidstown International staff for facilitating the visit. A huge “thank you” goes to the Pacific Northwest Business Aviation Association (PNBAA) for supplying the funds to purchase school supplies and to the PNBAA members that volunteered their time to organize and pack over 600 pencil cases with more than 3000 items.

From the PNBAA volunteers in Seattle, WA, USA to the enthusiastic girls in Nepal, Aviation for Humanity would like to thank our supporters and volunteers for their engagement, advocacy and encouragement. We love and appreciate our community!