Bird's nest swing for Nepal, 1500 Euro 

Report Bird's nest swing

Good news! Via Amsterdam, Paris, Bahrain and Kathmandu the bird's nest swing that was financed completely (including transport and insurance) by Moments of Joy has arrived is at Mahan Mata Children's Home for handicapped children in Budhanilkantha (Nepal). It is a big success and the children patiently wait their turn. The pictures show the use of the swing by Jamuma, mentally and physically handicapped and two other kids. And Buddha en Uttam sharing their turn. Buddha Rai (1996) was brain damaged at birth and came to Maha Mata in 2002 - his body completely rolled into a ball. By now he - literally opened up. The Shanti Sewa Griha organisation, that runs this and other homes - is looking into the possibility to have the equipment reproduced as part of a work project for leprosy patients.

In Maha Mata Children's Home in Budhanilkantha (Nepal) the children have multiple handicaps and consequently have little opportunity to play outside. Unfortunately, the acquisition of special play equipment is an unaffordable luxury.

There is some headway however. The home is part of the Shanti Sewa Griha organization which is involved in the care, healing and rehabilitation of leprosy patients and the handicapped. By improving the living conditions - good housing and sanitary facilities - the foundation contributes to the creation of a humane existence for seriously handicapped children. There are many examples to be seen in the Maha Mata Children's Home of how the lives of the children can be and are improved. 

Budha Rai (1996) is one of these, a boy who suffered brain damage when he was born. Budhha came to the home in 2002 - rolled up like a ball. His father had died and his mother has 5 other children to care for. As a result of the great amount of attention he received and the companionship of the children in the centre, he progressed slowly and opened up - literally. He learned to crawl, and a few months later: walked. Since then he has learned to hold a pen, can speak a few words, and plays and learns together with his friends in Budhanilkantha. 

The Dutch volunteer Linda Scheppink took the initiative to approach Moments of Joy about the acquisition of a bird's nest swing. This is a special swing in which one or two handicapped children can lie prone. In addition to being a pleasant way to pass the time in the open air, the swing has a therapeutic effect for most children (a number of them are very agitated as a result of their handicap). The swing is not available in Nepal and will have to be delivered from the Netherlands. Once it is there, the Shanti organisation will try to reproduce the equipment as part of a work project for leprosy patients. With the lower production costs, the swing may be able to be used more extensively for handicapped children and at the same time provide employment for the leprosy patients.

Funds needed: Euro 1504.58 (Euro 1059.58 for the swing, the supports and transport to Amsterdam airport, Euro 95 air freight and Euro 350 for import duties, declaration and local transport costs.) 


Total € 1504,58 

adopted by the general fund of Moments of Joy

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