Home of Hope, a project by the Lööf Foundation, stands as a beacon of support abroad. Originally constructed as a family home for vulnerable children in Nepal, it fell victim to the devastating earthquakes of May 2015. Undeterred, the Lööf Foundation undertook the task of rebuilding, restoring not just a structure but hope itself. Today, sixteen children find sanctuary within its walls, embraced by a new home and nurturing care

 

Background of Home of Hope

The concept of establishing a family home in Nepal originated during a Buddhist retreat in Mundekulla, Småland, Sweden. Sophie attended a lecture by Tibetan monk Geshe Pema Dorjee Lama, who collaborates closely with the Dalai Lama. During the lecture, Pema discussed various aid projects in Nepal’s mountains and expressed his search for sponsorship for a home for Nepalese children in need of love, care, and a home. Sophie eagerly volunteered to sponsor them. Following the retreat, Pema and his associate visited Gullspång for a meeting with Sophie. It was decided that a family home would be constructed in the village of Ratankot, just 5-6 hours outside Kathmandu. The vision for the family home included providing children with shelter, quality medical care, and round-the-clock staff support. The ultimate aim for these children is to acquire the necessary knowledge and assistance to become self-sufficient adults.

 

The name “Home of Hope”

After numerous trips to India and a deep commitment to supporting underprivileged children, Sophie Lööf conceived the idea of naming a safe haven “Home of Hope”. Her affinity for young children and adolescents, witnessing many grow up in impoverished circumstances, fueled her aspirations to provide a sanctuary for those in dire need. The phrase “Home of Hope” simply dawned on her one day, marking just the start of her journey.

 

How are the children after moving in?

The opening of Home of Hope took place on April 30, 2016, an occasion brimming with happiness and excitement, especially among the villagers and the children themselves, who had finally settled in. Since their arrival, the children have thrived, showing improvements in their health, academic performance, and overall well-being. They adhere to a chore schedule divided among them, fostering a sense of responsibility and teamwork. With a nutritious diet, their skin has cleared, and their eyes gleam with vitality. Each child nurtures individual aspirations and endeavors. Adjacent to Home of Hope, we’ve constructed a chicken coop and greenhouse, providing both sustenance and valuable agricultural skills for the children’s future self-sufficiency. Additionally, essential amenities such as a fridge, washing machine, solar panels, and a solar water tank have been installed, enhancing the efficiency of Home of Hope for the children and their caregivers, Asha and Shyam.

 

Please meet our Home of Hope children!

Our Home of Hope alumni!

 

Home of chickens

In May 2017, with generous support and donation from representative Monica Hellström, we erected a chicken house adjacent to Home of Hope. Constructed from sturdy materials including brick, cement, bamboo, iron, and topped with a tin roof, this structure provides a safe haven for their feathered friends. Outside, the chickens have a fenced area to roam, feed, and enjoy themselves, while inside, they find comfortable baskets for egg laying, bamboo perches, and rice shavings for nesting.

The chicken house accommodates roosters, hens, and adorable baby chicks. On most days, the children are able to collect 4-5 eggs, contributing to their self-sufficiency goals. This initiative has proven invaluable, as it teaches the children the fundamentals of animal husbandry and sustainable food production, fostering independence for their future. We believe that instilling these skills at a young age will empower them with invaluable knowledge as they grow older.

 

Home of Hope greenhouse

In February 2017, a greenhouse was built adjacent to Home of Hope with the aim of teaching the children vital skills in food cultivation and fostering self-sufficiency. It’s crucial for them to grasp the art of growing and harvesting their own sustenance, empowering them to rely on themselves for food. The greenhouse, now fortified with iron and durable plastic after being rebuilt in September 2019 following damage from monsoon weather, stands strong. Inside, an array of crops flourish, including garlic, onion, coriander, turmeric, ginger, carrots, beans, spinach, peas, chili, tomato, eggplants, mustard, and squash.

In just five minutes, a child can gather half of Home of Hope’s meal by harvesting fresh produce from the greenhouse. Additionally, we’ve planted citrus trees like kiwi, lemon, and orange, with one orange tree thriving remarkably inside the greenhouse. While none of the citrus trees have borne fruit yet, they require another two years of growth before fruition.

Sponsorship Program

Ensuring that the children at Home of Hope grow up feeling loved and cared for is paramount to the Lööf Foundation. That’s why we initiated our sponsorship program in January 2017. Through this program, we carefully match sponsor applicants with children at Home of Hope. Sponsors hail from various countries including Canada, Sweden, and several branches of Partex across the globe.

The sponsors play a vital role in covering expenses such as housing, food, clothing, medical care, and school fees for their sponsored child. Facilitating communication, our Foundation representative regularly travels to Nepal, exchanging letters and photos between sponsors and children. After each trip, sponsors receive updates about their sponsored child, fostering a meaningful relationship and making a positive impact on the children of Home of Hope.

If you wish see more pictures visit our photo gallery page

 

Blog posts - Home of Hope – Family home, Nepal