One of our more significant partnerships is with NDA in Kathmandu. This school provides approximately 80 physically disabled children from low-income families with a free education. FVS workers have been giving free English & music/drama classes for the children in grades 1-4. We repair and maintain classrooms, as well as contribute sponsored school supplies, uniforms, and educational/sports equipment.

When the children receive their year-end exam results, we organize a program celebrating their graduation and awarding prizes to the students with the best performance, both academically and in other areas such as vocational training, cleanliness, positive peer interaction, etc. We applaud their efforts and perseverance to carry on despite their handicaps, in a society that very much looks down on disabilities.

Family Volunteer Services participates in the annual National Special Sports Events for the disabled, blind, deaf, and mentally handicapped. Each group competes within their disability and everybody receives some reward for their group participation and effort. After the three days of sports events at the National Stadium, a cultural program follows where the children present their talents in music, dancing, poetry recitation, and comedy. This much-needed attention and recognition is instrumental in helping these children overcome their limitations—a human need that we all have, and all the more for disabled children in a developing nation like Nepal.