About CHoE
Charlotte’s Haven on Earth childcare centre in Kathmandu opened its doors on 16th January 2016, welcoming in the first cohort of children who had been living until then in rented accommodation and giving them a new beginning, a new life.
The project was completed almost on schedule to a very high standard and against all odds, including the 2015 earthquake and Indian blockade. Set in the outskirts of the city surrounded by beautiful hills, it houses up to 30 children in four dormitories on the upper floors and has play, kitchen-dining and study areas. Externally there is a multi -purpose sports and play area protected by a boundary security fence and a guard house providing the centre with 24 hour security. Over the last two years, a comfortable guest house has been added and the flower-filled garden developed to include vegetable patches and mushroom cultivation. Ten years have now passed so 2026 will see essential renovations and updated facilities to ensure the comfort and safety of this much-loved child care centre, considered home by many.
The first children to live at CHoE.
Our Mission
Our aim is very simple – to give children the chance to a better life through education and by providing a safe, caring, loving place to grow up and become independent young people. Children who otherwise would have no chance in life through no fault of their own. Our hope is that when they leave the nurturing environment that is their CHoE home, they will embody the philanthropic values of the founders and be prepared to help others without prejudice or discrimination, giving back to their community and helping in whatever way they can to build a brighter future for future generations in Nepal.
Education
Education is a keystone of life at CHoE and the gateway to a more secure future for all our children and young people. The children attend some of the best schools in Kathmandu, from primary through to CEE and +2 exams, (equivalent to A Level) and are given every opportunity to succeed; whether in academic subjects such as science, engineering and IT or through the more vocational path of hotel hospitality and tourism and health care studies or through sports and art. No one size fits all, so they are encouraged to find what they are good at and what they enjoy. Inspired by those around them, they are supported do their best, to try a wide variety of extra-curricular activities and to participate in sports and outdoor pursuits. At home, they are taught simple old-fashioned universal values, learning soft skills, good manners, politeness, respect for others and their views and to treat all equally regardless of caste or religion.
Opportunity
Children very soon come to see CHoE as their home, their family, their safe place where adults care about them; for some this is the first time in their life that anyone has ever looked out for them. They feel confident that they feel supported and not alone. At CHoE, there is always a warm welcome awaiting any alumni who pops in for a visit.
After they leave at 18 when they finish their +2 exams, many naturally still need support through the next stage in life. This may be going to university, taking a vocational course, finding an internship or looking to start a small business. In recent years, the Eifion Trust has started to focus more on how we can best support our young leavers on these next steps into adult life; there are now alumni studying courses ranging from dentistry and social healthcare through to business & hotel management. Some are keen to begin small enterprises in trekking, tourist homestays or beauty and health and the Eifion Trust is investing time, energy and funding to make these dreams happen.
The Eifion Trust strongly believe that the future of Nepal lies in its young people being able to remain in their country of birth, a place they love, working together to make it the best place for them and their future children to live: to be a somewhere not a nowhere, to have a sense of belonging.
Stories of Success
Apara Thapa Bhattarai
Director of CHoE
Apara Thapa Bhattarai was born in the beautiful country of the Himalayas and the piece of heaven on Earth, Nepal. As a child, she was drawn to nature and liked spending time with it and enjoying herself with friends and her loving sisters. She grew up in a family where helping others was a part of their daily lives. She pursued her basic education in Nepal and higher education in Switzerland, and an MBA from the United Kingdom.
Apara has extensive experience working in various sectors, from Educational Institutions both in Europe and Nepal, and NGOs and INGOs . She started working from an early age, allowing her to experience many professional and personal aspects of work and she was able to gain National and International exposure. Even though this brought her satisfaction, she realized that she had a bigger personal calling to fulfill in the country where she was born, especially towards the children, who were being deprived of something as basic as education. Therefore, she began working towards the education of underprivileged children. In a decade of being a humanitarian, she has changed the lives of many.
Apara Thapa Bhattarai has been awarded: 1) Goodwill ambassador of Nepal 2) Chairperson for National Human Rights and Humanitarian Federation for Nepal by IHRAC 3) Award winner for Prestigious 9th International Human Rights award 2019, in the category, International Women of Courage award 2019.
Apart from this, she has been praised for her excellent project management skills from the government level, various NGOS/INGOS, various communities, corporate houses, and many more.
Mrs. Bhattarai is a self-motivated person relishing new and dynamic challenges with a leadership role in a team or independently. Her communication skills, people management ability, public relations, leadership skills, and professionalism are her biggest strengths. Love and compassion have always been her driving force in everything she does.
