Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any cultural things to be aware of when I visit?
Hospitality and honor are very important in Nepal
Learn to accept a gift graciously, however large or small. This honors them.
Avoid saying no to gifts and food, if you must refuse, politely object indirectly.
The main thing is, do not try to change or "save Nepal". Come to partner with us with an open mind and an understanding heart.
We want to give the next generation a fighting chance to transform their own country from the inside.
FAQs
- All
- BCH
- Travel
- Legal
Blessed Children’s Home is in Central Nepal
For child-safety and security reasons, we do not publish our exact address or town name on the internet. If you are a confirmed visitor or long-term partner, we will share detailed directions privately when needed.
We usually care for around 30–35 children at a time.
Over more than 30 years, over 200 children have grown up in the home and moved into adult life.
Numbers may change as new children arrive and older youth graduate or return to extended family when appropriate.
We follow Nepal’s child-protection and social welfare regulations.
Children come to us through the proper authorities, not by private arrangement. This can include:
Local government child-welfare offices
- Recommendations from local community leaders
- Verified cases of a child being without safe care or schooling
- Each child’s case is reviewed with official documents (where available), and placement is done under the oversight of the relevant government offices.
No. We are not an adoption agency and we do not arrange adoptions.
Intercountry adoption is tightly regulated by the Government of Nepal, and Blessed Children’s Home does not handle adoption processes. Our role is to provide a safe, long-term home and education for children who are placed with us.
If you are interested in adoption, you would need to contact the relevant government offices or licensed agencies in your own country.
Yes, the founders and staff are Christians, and our home is built on Christian values such as:
- Love for each child
- Honesty and integrity
- Respect for authorities and laws
- Compassion for those in need
At the same time, we respect each child’s freedom of conscience and comply with Nepal’s laws. Children are not forced to participate in any religious activity, and we do not pressure them to change their personal beliefs.
Our first responsibility is to provide safe care, education, and stability within the legal framework of the country as a Christian Philanthropy organization.
No. We do not force any child to change their religion.
We:
- Provide a family-style home led by Christian caregivers
- Emphasize good character, discipline, and respect
- Create an environment where children can see our faith lived out in daily life
- Older children, like anyone else, make their own choices about what they believe. Our role is to care for them well and to operate fully within Nepal’s laws.
Blessed Children’s Home operates under a registered Nepali NGO with a local board, in accordance with:
- Government registration and renewal requirements
- Annual financial audits by certified auditors
- Regular reporting to the required government offices
- Social audits where local community representatives can review how funds are used
- We welcome oversight. It helps protect the children and ensures that all support is used responsibly.
We do not have a large organization promising fixed monthly support.
Instead, God has provided through:
- Child sponsorships
- General gifts for home operations
- Staff support for caregivers
- Special project giving (repairs, improvements, etc.)
- We do our best to live simply, avoid waste, and prioritize the children’s needs. Financial reports are submitted to the appropriate authorities each year as required.
Child sponsorship is usually around US$50 per month.
That amount helps cover a share of:
- Daily food and safe housing
- School fees, uniforms, and books
- Basic medical care
- Clothing and personal essentials
- A portion of the home’s operating costs
- If you are unable to commit to full sponsorship, you can still give any amount to the general fund or other designated funds.
We understand that people’s circumstances change.
If you need to pause or stop sponsorship:
- The child remains in our care
- We do not remove a child because a sponsor has to stop
- We will look for another sponsor or cover the gap from the general fund as we are able
- All we ask is that, if possible, you let us know before stopping so we can plan wisely.
Yes, in many cases you can sponsor a specific child.
For security and legal reasons, the detailed profiles are available on a private page by request, not on the public website. On that page:
- Each child will have a profile with a changed or partial name for privacy
- Only information that is safe to share online will be shown
- You can indicate which child you feel led to sponsor
- If you don’t have a preference, we can assign your sponsorship to the child with the greatest need at that time.
In some cases, yes. But within clear boundaries.
Because we must protect children’s privacy and wellbeing, any communication:
- Is filtered and managed by staff
- May be occasional rather than frequent
- Must avoid topics or details that could compromise safety
We encourage sponsors to write simple, encouraging messages and prayers rather than deep personal or private content. Please do not send direct contact details (social media, phone, etc.) to children.
Possibly, yes - under clear conditions.
Because of child-protection laws and local regulations, visits must be:
- Arranged in advance, not by surprise
- Approved by leadership
- Conducted under supervision with clear guidelines
- Focused on encouragement, learning, or practical service (not “tourism”)
We prioritize visitors who:
- Already have a connection with us or our partner ministries
- Are willing to follow strict child-safety and conduct guidelines
- Understand that certain activities may not be permitted under local law
If you are serious about visiting, contact us, we are glad to help you make it happen.
Long-term volunteers must be handled very carefully due to legal and safety issues.
We cannot guarantee placements for interns or foreign volunteers. In many cases it is simpler and safer for the children if you:
- Visit for a short, focused time under clear supervision, or
- Support the ministry from a distance through prayer and giving
If you are considering a longer stay, reach out and we can explain current realities and whether it is possible. We recommend a short 1-4 day visit first and we can figure out the rest from there.
You can help with practical needs, but international shipping is complicated:
- Parcels can take months to arrive
- Customs fees can be very high
- Items sometimes arrive damaged or not at all
The most effective options are:
- Give funds to our general fund so we can buy items locally.
- Send items to our contact in the US who already visits regularly every year.
Yes: but this is handled through our partner organizations, not directly from Nepal.
- Donors can give through a registered charity or ministry partner.
- That partner then issues any receipts or documentation according to their local laws.
We aim for updates that are meaningful and sustainable, not constant.
- We may send periodic updates about the home’s progress, stories, and needs.
- Sponsors may receive specific news about the children they help support, where appropriate and safe.
- Our WhatsApp prayer channel shares focused requests and answered prayers for those who opt in.
Internet, electricity, and admin demands can affect timing, so we ask for patience rather than expecting instant responses.
We protect the children’s dignity and safety above everything else.
Many children’s histories include:
- Loss, neglect, or abandonment
- Family conflict or sensitive legal situations
- Details that, if fully shared online, could harm them later
For that reason, we:
- Use changed names or limited detail
- Avoid sharing identifying information about villages, relatives, or schools
- Reserve deeper stories for private conversations with trusted partners
We would rather say less online than risk exposing a child’s past to the whole world.
If your question is not covered above and:
- Directly affects your giving or sponsorship, or
- Is necessary for a possible visit, or
- Concerns a serious issue related to child safety or finances,
you can reach us via:
- WhatsApp (fastest)
- The contact form on our website (goes to Babu’s email)
We kindly ask that general curiosity questions, or questions already answered here, not be sent repeatedly. Every message takes time away from direct care for the children.
If you’ve read this far, thank you.
It tells us you are serious about understanding the work and supporting it wisely.
If you are ready to take a next step:
CTA: Learn How to Partner With Us
CTA: Visit the Give Page
Most nationalities need a visa.
Many travelers can get a visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) or certain land borders, or apply online in advance (e-visa).
Check Nepal’s Department of Immigration or your local Nepali embassy for current rules, fees, and lengths of stay.
The most comfortable seasons are:
- October–November: Clear skies, great mountain views, peak trekking season.
- February–April: Warm days, cooler nights, many flowers in bloom.
Monsoon runs roughly June–September (hot, wet, hazy views, but lush and green). Winters (Dec–Jan) are generally dry and clear but can be chilly in Kathmandu and cold in mountain regions.
Overall, Nepal is considered relatively safe for visitors.
Petty theft and scams exist in tourist areas (like Thamel and Lakeside Pokhara), but violent crime against foreigners is rare.
The bigger real risks are road travel, altitude sickness when trekking, and occasional political strikes(protests) or demonstrations.
Normal street smarts and staying updated with local news go a long way.
- Water: Don’t drink tap water. Use bottled, filtered, or properly boiled water.
- Food: Stick to busy places with high turnover. Street food is fine if it’s fresh and cooked hot.
- Medical: Basic pharmacies are easy to find in cities; serious issues may require evacuation. Talk to your doctor about vaccines and travel meds before you fly.
Nepal is socially conservative, especially outside Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- In cities, modest Western clothing is normal.
- In rural areas and religious sites, cover shoulders, chest, and knees.
- For trekking, dress in layers; evenings can be cold even when days are warm.
Common routes include:
- Kathmandu Valley: temples, stupas, old royal squares, markets.
- Pokhara: lakeside town with Annapurna views, paragliding, boating, hiking.
- Chitwan / Bardia: jungle safaris, rhinos, possible tigers.
- Trekking regions: Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, and others.
In tourist areas, hotels, and trekking routes, some people speak basic to good English. In rural villages, expect limited English and more Nepali or local languages.
A few basic Nepali phrases are helpful. Try Google Translate as well.
- Domestic flights: Common between Kathmandu and Pokhara or mountain airstrips; subject to weather delays due the high mountains and fog/ haze cover
- Tourist buses & Tata taxis: Main options for inter-city travel.
- Inside cities: Taxis, ride-hailing apps (in Kathmandu), and walking are standard.
The currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). Cash rules outside major hotels and big shops. ATMs are common in cities. Cards are more accepted in Kathmandu and Pokhara but always carry cash for small businesses and rural areas.
Learn how to bargain or you will overpay.
Always determine your price before getting into a taxi, you can only dispute the price before the service is completed, not after.
- Greet with “Namaste” and a slight bow with hands together.
- Take off shoes before entering homes
- Use your right hand (or both hands) when giving or receiving items.
- Ask before taking close-up photos of people, especially children.
Yes. Personal Christian faith and private worship are legal.
Nepal’s constitution recognizes freedom of religion, but “conversion by force or inducement” is illegal, and anti-conversion laws are enforced in practice. ie: if you convert someone to Christianity, both you and that person can face jail time if reported.
Evangelism that looks like pressuring, publicly targeting minors, or tying aid to conversion can cause real legal trouble for locals and foreigners. Consequences can include immediate deportation and a visa ban
You can answer honest questions about your faith and share your personal testimony in normal conversation.
In short, you may share why you believe but legally, you may not suggest that they should also believe.
What you must avoid is anything that could be interpreted as:
- Organized public proselytizing,
- Offering money, gifts, or access to services in exchange for conversion,
- Aggressive or confrontational evangelism.
Remember that if authorities are notified, local believers and ministries carry the risk long after you go home.
Generally, yes if:
- Your visit is invited and coordinated through trusted leadership,
- You follow their security and privacy guidelines,
- You do not post identifying details (faces of children, exact locations, legal names) publicly online.
Some ministries have faced media attacks, local anti-Christian violence and legal pressure before. They will often keep exact addresses offline and prefer private introductions rather than open “volunteer sign-ups.”
Often yes, by invitation from local pastors.
Wise guardrails:
- Let local leaders decide if and how you should preach or teach.
- Avoid preaching directly about politics or criticizing other religions.
- Don’t publicly call people to “convert from Hinduism/Buddhism” in ways that could be used as legal evidence. Focus on sharing Christ, not attacking others.
- Expect ministries to vet teams carefully, sometimes requiring references or background checks.
- Many will steer foreigners toward construction, training, or church support, and keep direct work with children supervised and limited (this is both law and safeguarding best practice).
- Never be alone with children in dorms/bedrooms, and do not give gifts directly to specific children without staff guidance.
A personal Bible is fine.
- A modest number of Bibles or Christian books in your luggage usually isn’t an issue if they’re obviously for personal or church use, not street distribution.
- Large quantities of literature can attract unwanted scrutiny and can put local believers at risk. If you want to bring materials, coordinate in advance with the hosting ministry. They know what’s safe.
- Never hand out cash on the street or to individual families without local counsel.
- Prefer to give through established ministries or churches that have proper accounting and legal structures.
- If you want to sponsor a child, staff member, or project, do it through their official channels, not informal side-arrangements.
Listen more than you talk. Ask them what their challenges really are.
- Respect their strategies for staying faithful under local laws.
- Pray with them
- Encourage them, but don’t push Western models of ministry that may not fit Nepal’s legal or cultural reality.