Introduction
Starchildren, a home for children
who are living with HIV/AIDS or have been
orphaned as a result of their parents’ AIDS
deaths, was conceived in the hearts and
minds of a Dutch couple who went on to
actualize this dream. This 20 year plan is
being written to secure adequate funding to
see it to its greatest potential. Mik and
Margriet founded Stichting Starchildren, The
Netherlands, recruited a Board of Directors,
developed preliminary goals and beginning in
2003, personally financed the first year of
the Pilot Home.
But perhaps a step backwards is warranted
here. When Mik and Margriet began their
family they made a promise to each other. If
they could raise their own children to be
safe and social adults then they could go on
to devote their lives to other children in
need. They traveled extensively and when
they reached Nepal in 1996, they knew, this
was the place. In Nepal they could make the
difference. Upon returning home, they took
on extra jobs, saved money and planned for
their project and return.
And
continuing, closer to the present, by the
end of 2004, their dreams and the needs of
the children exceeded their resources and
required them to begin fundraising. During
this same period, as mandated by Nepali law,
the Stichting Starchildren, identified
Starchildren Kaski Nepal, a non-governmental
and non-profit organization to be the direct
service provider in Pokhara. They have been
working together since 2003 to carry out the
vision of the Dutch Board. The Pilot
Children's Home designed to serve a maximum
of 12 children was opened in February 2004.
It functions as a test site to see if the
envisioned model of care is viable prior to
expanding the program to address the greater
level of need in the region.
Starchildren prepared the first 5 Year Plan
in December 2005. That plan described how
one home would function to serve up to 12
children. As we knew from the beginning and
as our experience has confirmed, this level
of service is inadequate to really make a
difference in addressing the problem of
children affected by HIV/AIDS in Nepal. This
plan is written to describe our strategy for
caring for a greater number of children and
assuring their security into adulthood as we
grow our capacity and influence in HIV/AIDS
awareness and programming over the next 20
years.
The Dutch Board demonstrates its commitment
to the foundation’s goals through individual
financial support, technical assistance,
outreach and fundraising. Their work has
been embraced by the Dirk Kuyt Foundation,
which agreed to provide publicity and funds
for the Starchildren Home. Additionally, Mik
and Margriet, as founders and
representatives of the Board, make annual
trips to Nepal to oversee the work of
Starchildren Kaski Nepal and assure that the
program remains in line with the Dutch
Board’s vision.
Stichting Starchildren transfers funds to
Starchildren Kaski Nepal quarterly based on
anticipated financial need. Starchildren
Kaski Nepal provides monthly financial
reports to assure fiscal responsibility and
accountability for funds expected.
Organization
Starchildren Foundation (Stichting
Starchildren) is a Dutch registered charity
that through its local partner Starchildren
Kaski Nepal works to give HIV and AIDS
infected children and AIDS orphans a home,
love, education and the medical care they
need.
Starchildren Kaski Nepal is a
non-governmental and non-profit
organization, formally established under the
organization registration act of His
Majesty's Government of Nepal government in
February 2004. The organization is
registered with the Chief District
Administration Office Kaski and affiliated
with Social Welfare Council, Katmandu.
Starchildren is conceptualized on the
grounds that there are HIV/AIDS infected
children and AIDS orphaned children whose
lives are in danger. Without education and
skills, without a home and nourishment, they
will spend their childhood on the street
fighting for their lives. Together, we are
able to help these children.
The mission of Stichting Starchildren
is...
Through the efficient use of funds,
Stichting Starchildren empowers and enables
its local partner, Starchildren Kaski Nepal
to work with HIV/AIDS infected children and
AIDS orphaned children to provide them a
homely environment, health care and
education, to give them a second chance in
life.
The mission of Starchildren Kaski is
to...
Provide care that addresses the basic needs
of children who are infected/affected by
HIV/AIDS in conformity with the UNCRC
(United Nations Convention on the Rights of
the Child 1989) and its four principles.
The UNCRC four principles are:
• Right to life, survival and development
• Right to be treated equally
• Right to participate in activities and
decisions that affect them
• All actions should be based on the “best
interests” of the child
