Developing a Model of Community-Owned Foster Care in Nepal
We are pleased to announce a new partnership between Forget Me Not (FMN), Hope and Homes for Children (HHC), The Himalayan Innovative Society (THIS), and the Martin James Foundation (MJF).
This two-year project will focus on developing a model of community-owned foster care in Nepal (Children’s Act 2018 Section 49 b & c) and has been made possible because of the groundwork already undertaken by HHC, THIS, FMN, and the local government in Nepal. MJF is thrilled to join this collaboration of organisations to build on the impactful work and support further progress.
Background
In Nepal, there are currently 11,350 children growing up in residential care in 489 registered Child Care Homes (CCHs) across the country, but there is a strong momentum for care reform and deinstitutionalisation (DI) with interest and commitment from the Government.
Since 2019, HHC has been implementing a pilot project in Nepal in collaboration with local partners Forget Me Not and The Himalayan Innovative Society. During this time, they have made significant progress building political will, momentum and know-how for care reform and have facilitated the reintegration of 193 children with their families or in kinship care, supported with the closure of institutions, and made progress on the gatekeeping provision.
Project Plan
The project will partner with two municipalities in Chitwan District to establish pilots of foster care based on legal frameworks and the child protection needs of each area. One area (Madi Municipality) is semi-urban, and the other is more rural (Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality) so the project will be able to consider the different approaches that may be required in such contexts.
Through this project, we intend to demonstrate that foster care can be a part of the solution to keep children in families instead of institutions. The models developed through the project, and the process through which they are created, will be documented and assessed to inform scale-up and replication in other areas of the country.
“Children’s right to alternative care is a fundamental human right. Foster care is one of the solutions to give a child a family, a community, and a strong sense of belonging. This partnership will create a solution for the most vulnerable children in Nepal, in need of love, care, and protection. We are excited! Thank you Martin James Foundation and Hope and Homes for Children.”
“At Hope and Homes for Children, we have been developing successful foster care projects for many years, in countries such as Romania, Rwanda, Moldova and Bosnia. We know that having well-piloted systems to care for children who have been separated from their biological parents is the key to catalysing lasting change. That’s why we’re so excited to start this pilot, our first in Asia, with FMN, THIS and MJF. We look forward to working together to build on our combined learning so that we can make meaningful progress toward eliminating orphanages across the region.”
“Institutional care can result in lasting developmental challenges for children. The opportunity to grow up in a family should be available to all children and young people. We are honoured to be embarking on this project with our partners to develop a system of family-based care for children in Nepal who are unable to remain with their parents.”
“In Nepal, we have ancient stories of foster care told since the times of Gods and Goddesses. Foster care is a great example of preserving the essence of family and love. Now it is time to invest our efforts for children in need of further parental care through foster care. We are excited to start this wonderful journey of beautiful opportunities for children with Martin James Foundation, Forget Me Not, and Hope and Homes for Children.”
