In Nepal, a child development center is seeing transformation in the lives of the children and families it serves.

Lola’s grandchildren attend the center. Their story is similar to many of the center’s attendees. As part of a large family, there were never enough funds to go around. That includes the costs associated with attending school.

When families lack the resources to purchase school supplies for their children, the center provides books, pens, pencils, and school uniforms. When children struggle academically, the center offers free tutoring to help them improve their grades and build confidence.

For Lola’s family, the lack of funds for school supplies was putting her grandchildren at a disadvantage.

“Because our family was so large, our income was never enough,” she shared. “We always struggled to pay school fees, tuition fees, and buy uniforms for the children. Sometimes, because of lack of money, the children were scolded at school. When the center distributed educational materials [and] school uniforms … we no longer had to buy those items for the children. This helped us use our limited income for other important household needs.”

The center’s programming includes basic health checkups and hygiene and personal care lessons, ensuring children stay healthy and learn to wash their hands, brush their teeth, and maintain personal cleanliness. These simple actions help reduce the spread of disease, helping children grow up strong. Children then take these skills and others and use them at home, impacting their families.

“[My] grandchildren, who once didn’t know how to do household chores, now help with washing dishes, cleaning the house, and cleaning the toilet,” reported Lola, activities that improve the health of families and help children practice important life skills.

Parents and community members are invited to training seminars at the center to learn about topics such as child safety and protection. The classes discuss challenges like child labor, child marriage, abuse, and violence, helping adults to understand how best to protect children from common risks.

Parents also attend self help groups at the center, a program that educates participants on wise financial choices and helps them reach financial goals. With the funds saved, families can take out loans to invest in small business concepts. At the center, parents can learn marketable skills such as making soap, caring for livestock, and making candles. These business opportunities can increase family incomes, making it easier for them to pay for food, clothing, school fees, and other pressing needs.

“The center not only supported children but also taught parents like us the habit of saving through group activities,” said Lola. “Through this savings group, we were able to borrow money to pay for the children’s exam fees and repair our animal shed. This small saving initiative has brought financial stability to our large family.”

With greater financial freedom, parents contribute a small amount to the center to help pay for student snacks and a percentage of the school uniforms that the center provides. This gives parents a sense of ownership and partnership in the center’s activities, and for the center, it frees up some funds for other operational costs.

“I believe that the saving group has given our family hope and happiness,” reported Lola.

With increased parental support, and the volunteer work of church and community members, the center is poised for long-term sustainability and a reduced need for external funding.

All of these activities have led to community members viewing the center in a positive light.

“Earlier, I used to think that church people do not mix well with society,” shared Lola. “But when I started attending parental training at the center, I saw the kindness and dedication of the believers there, which deeply inspired me. Now, I also participate in the programs.”

Most importantly, the center is a place where children can discover the love of Jesus. Spiritual and moral values are taught through Bible stories and lessons, and children learn to pray. As character qualities like kindness, honesty, discipline, and responsibility are demonstrated and learned, children become leaders among their peers and gain the skills they need to succeed in life.

Bhim* is in 6th grade. His father works as a day laborer to support Bhim, his brother, and their mother. Their limited income meant that even notebooks and pens were beyond their means. Though Bhim was registered at the center, it was a far distance from his home, and he only made the trip occasionally. After a teacher instituted a reward system for faithful attendance, Bhim was motivated to attend every day! He now likes playing badminton with friends, studying, and assisting his teachers. The financial support from the center means Bhim has all the supplies he needs to succeed in school. His teachers and family have also observed growth and development beyond his academic journey.

“[Bhim] has become helpful at home as well assisting his mother with cooking, taking care of the chickens, and washing his own clothes,” shared a center leader. “He is now the leader of his group, cooperating well with his friends and siblings, and caring for everyone around him.”

An 8th grade student, Sabina*, comes from a large family where economic realities prevented her from affording everything she needed. While her family noted she was always happy to help around the house, it was her schoolwork that caused stress. Her parents were unable to assist much, and Sabina found even simple homework difficult. She struggled to turn in her assigned work.

Once she enrolled in the child development center, Sabina found the support she needed to grasp her lessons and complete her homework. She also thrived in extracurricular activities like Bible quizzing, singing, and dancing, which built her confidence.

Sabina’s family is grateful for the growth Sabina has experienced from the center’s ministry.

“When I look at other children, my daughter seems very wise to me,” said Sabina’s mother. “She is happy with whatever she has.”

As a result of her hard work, discipline, and dedication, Sabina was awarded the Best Student Award at the center this year.

*Children’s names are changed for protection.