Born into extreme poverty, now shining in the classroom, the residents of the Unatti Group Home for Girls are the leaders of tomorrow. With your support, Unatti Foundation provides education and housing for girls from diverse experiences with poverty, neglect, and abuse. Let us share their success stories with you….
Deepika, age 13, was 6 years old when she joined the Unatti home. Her father disappeared during her mother’s pregnancy, and her mother left her in the care of her grandparents when she was just four months old. Deepika’s grandparents live in the countryside near Bhaktapur and are from an economically disadvantaged caste. Despite being unable to secure gainful employment, they nonetheless have the daunting task of caring for seven other grandchildren. None of Deepika’s siblings have ever attended school.
Kriti, age 12, joined The Unatti Home for Girls in 2016. Her family, like thousands of others, lost everything in the April 2015 earthquake. Her mother, herself and her two siblings lived in a tent in a vacant lot just 500 yards from The Unatti Group Home for Girls. Without education and empowerment, it is unlikely Kriti's family will have the ability to afford a permanent structure again. We are so happy to have her join the Unatti family and to give her a second chance.
Junu, age 22, joined the Unatti family in 2005 at age 8. She was malnourished and serving as the family provider by begging for rupees in the Boudha Nath Temple. She tells stories of sleeping outside on the dirt because it was better than observing the domestic violence that permeated her childhood home. Once living at the Unatti Group Home for Girls, she took to school with great enthusiasm and was able to skip a grade, mid-year. She has been a natural caretaker to all of her younger sisters. She graduated high school and is attending Khwopa College in Bhaktapur, Nepal, where she is studying to become a social worker.
Nistha, now age 12, joined the Unatti Group Home for Girls at the age of 3. Her father had moved to Malaysia to search for work, and years later died of cardiac arrest. His life savings was not recovered after his death and her mother, a manual laborer caring for three children, could seldom earn enough money for food, let alone education. Nistha is thriving in her studies now and loves living with her "sisters" in the Unatti Group Home.
Poonam, age 20, arrived at the Unatti Group Home for Girls in 2002 in the arms of her mother, Sita who was searching for work so she could feed her two girls. Her father was disappointed that his wife did not give birth to a son and deserted the family. We took them all in with Sita becoming a house mother, and the two girls joining the Unatti family. Right away, the girls showed great promise, with Poonan rising to the top of her class.
Sanisha, age 19, joined us in 2007 at 6 years old when she was found in the street, mentally imbalanced after her mother had committed suicide rather than remain in a bad marriage. After her mother's death, she was left alone to work in a local brick factory for 4 months. Sanisha is now our most outgoing child. She loves adventures and taking photos and will be starting college in 2019 to become a social worker.
Rita, age 20, joined the Unatti family at age 7 just after the passing of her father. Prior to the Unatti Home, Rita was living in a small hut with her mother. She arrived wearing time-worn shoots, feeling hesitant and emotionally vulnerable. Years later, Rita has grown into an impressive young woman who graduated at the top of her high school class. She has completed her third year of accounting college and recently became the first Unatti girl to hold a position on the Nepali Board of Directors. Rita serves as the treasurer.“ I am so honored to hold an official position where I am helping to determine Unatti’s mission and goals. I will do everything I can to see that more girls get a chance for a great future just like me.”
Sumitra, age 17, joined the Unatti Group Home for Girls at age 3. Her mother took her own life after years of mental disease, and her father, a former tractor driver, is unable to work after his second bout with tuberculosis. She arrived underweight, developmentally delayed, and with severe nerve damage in her right hand. Within 45 days of joining our Unatti family, she gained three kilos, is developmentally on track, and now has regained considerable use of her right hand. Sumitra loves to dance and dreams of becoming a tour guide.
Suku Laxmi, age 21, joined the Unatti Group Home for Girls in 2005 at age 7. When we met her, she was washing dishes at a local restaurant in exchange for food. When she joined the Unatti family, it took her time to adjust to life as a child without the pressures of being a provider. Suku Laxmi is quiet, but very bright. She graduated high school in 2014, attended Iwamura College of Health Science in Bhaktapur , Nepal and is now employed as a lab technician in a hospital in Kathmandu.
Swostika, age 9, joined The Unatti Home in 2015. Our Foundation learned about her tragic story from concerned neighbors who noticed she was left alone 10-12 hours daily in her grandmother’s one room home, eating only if neighbors remembered to stop in with a bowl of rice. When Swostika first arrived at The Unatti Group Home for Girls her years of isolation and neglect were palpable as she was uncommunicative and withdrawn and kept to herself. She is now thriving and a beloved member of the Unatti Family.
Saraswoti (age 21) was one of the first five girls to join the Unatti Group Home for Girls in 2002. She was born into a family of very little means, living in a slum in central Nepal. Both her parents suffer from physical & mental health problems, leaving them both unable to work. Saraswoti has always maintained a quiet composure but her true nature is mighty! She has been best friends with all of the Unatti sisters and recently graduated from college as an X-ray technician with employment at two local hospitals. She has returned to live with her parents and younger sister and her salary will enable them all to move out of the slums. She is a self assured, educated young woman.
Sunita, age 18, was 8 years old when she moved into the Unatti home. Before her arrival, she attended a free government school, which had only managed to educate her to a second-grade level. Her father died six years prior and her mother continues to work as a farm laborer to support her extended family of six who all live in a one-room home. Sunita now excels in sports and traditional Nepali dance. She has natural leadership skills and has been elected as the current president of the Unatti Child Club by her Unatti sisters.
Simron, age 11, was born in western Nepal. Her mother's whereabouts are unknown, which has caused her father and two siblings emotional trauma. As the sole caretaker, her father was unable to provide for the children and Simron was referred to Unatti by members of her community. Simron loves doing art, dancing and singing and is thriving with the support of her Unatti sisters.
Sangita, now 23, was brought to Unatti by her mother in 2002 at age 7. Her family’s extreme poverty had forced a then-4-year-old Sangita to work as a dishwasher in a small restaurant. At 5, she became ill with pneumonia and spent two years in poor health until she joined our Unatti family. She regained her strength with proper medical care and nutrition, and in her first year of school she landed in 1st position. She is now the first Unatti girl to finish high school and has completed Nursing School. Recently, Sangita became a wife and mother! She is an independent woman, still working as a nurse, and providing for her family. A true Unatti dream come true!
Samriddhi, age 8, came to The Unatti Home for Girls in 2015. She is from a rural village where she lived with her mother, father, and four siblings in a two-roomed hut. Two of her older siblings had been sold as child labors, which was the only income for the family. She was next in line for a life of child labor, but our team convinced her parents to send her to the Unatti Group Home for Girls instead. She is now thriving in her studies and upon graduation, will be able to provide more secure support for her family and siblings.
Sapana, age 18, joined us in 2009 at age 9, when we found her living with her mentally disturbed father in a dirty alley. With a family history of mental illness, we are proud to be working closesly with Sapana on her studies as well as her personal well-being. She is a bright and energetic young woman and it is crucial that we support her past graduation. We're pleased to have the means and resources to do so.
Sarija, age 16, was born into a farm family and lived with her mother and two older sisters. Her father died when she was one year old after a life-long struggle with drug abuse. They had no income and had been scraping by with the food they could grow on their small plot of land. When Sarija joined the Unatti Group Home for Girls at age 4, we also gave her mother, Sharda, a job as a day helper in the Unatti home. In Sarija’s first year in school she earned herself the top position. She is proving to be one of the smartest girls in the house.
Rupali, age 16, was found living alone in a room in Bhaktapur at age 4. Her mother had left her when she was 18 months old in the care of her mentally unstable father. In order to find work he would leave Rupali for days at a time, with a bowl of rice beside her. After Rupali joined us, she quickly gained weight and has shown huge progress in her communication skills. She is an accomplished athlete and is one of the most expressive, bubbly girls in the house.
Rachana, age 10, joined the Unatti Home for Girls in 2016.She is from a remote area of Nepal that has little access to basic necessities. She has 6 siblings and her father is the victim of severe mental illness. Because he cannot work, her mother attempted to earn enough to feed the family, but all suffer from illness and malnutrition. We are looking forward to giving Rachana a fresh start with the nutrition and support she needs to help her learn and grow.
Sujina, age 11, joined the Unatti Family in 2019. Her mother had recently passed away after a long battle with cancer. She was left living with her father who’s health is not good, a younger brother and a drug-addicted uncle. When she first arrived at Unatti, Sujina's recovery from the trauma of her mother's passing became our top priority and we are thrilled that our fellow "sisters" and educated counselors were able to provide her loving support and she has begaun to share her feelings freely.
Rostika, age 12, joined the Unatti Group Home for Girls at only 3 years old. Her father overdosed while she was still in the womb, and only seven months after giving birth to her, Rostika’s mother disappeared. Rostika and her sisters were left in the care of her grandparents.The burden proved too great for Rostika’s grandfather, a low-caste shoemaker who died by suicide. Since joining the Unatti family, Rostika has become the life of the party - a true lover of song and dance and a welcoming sister to the newer girls that have joined the family.
Shreejana, age 23, was brought to Unatti house by her mother in 2002. By the time she was 4, her mother had three different husbands and three more children. Shreejana was the caretaker of the babies while her mother worked as a concrete porter, carrying baskets of concrete on her head. She has always been a kind and thoughtful big sister to the Unatti family. She is living an independent life in her home town.
Rasilla, age 9, joined The Unatti Group Home for Girls in 2015. After his business failed while she was a toddler, her father left the family and has not been seen since. Rasila’s mother is the sole provider in the home where she lived with her grandparents and younger brother. Because of her mother's inability to provide for the three generations in the home, Rasilla came to The Unatti Group Home for Girls. She arrived extremely small for her age due to poor nutrition, but has bounced back in her growth and become a thriving student.
Rosani, age 14, joined the Unatti family at age 9. Her father had passed away due to heart disease, so she was living with her mother in a one-bedroom home with four other siblings. Her family has been lower-caste farmers for many generations, but as they own no land, her mother works as a construction laborer to feed her children. Rosani adjusted well to the Unatti home and loves painting and photography.
Roshani, age 14, joined the Unatti Home for Girls in 2018.
Puja, age 21, has no memory of her life before living in the Unatti Group Home for Girls. She arrived in 2002 with her mother Sita and sister, Poonam and as one of the original residents of the home, Puja has been big sister to all of the Unatti girls, a wonderful mentor and helper around the house. She is enrolled at Khwopa College in Bhaktapur, Nepal, studying Environmental Sciences with a focus on Forestry. Her goal is to become a green leader in Nepal.
Deepika, age 13, was 6 years old when she joined the Unatti home. Her father disappeared during her mother’s pregnancy, and her mother left her in the care of her grandparents when she was just four months old. Deepika’s grandparents live in the countryside near Bhaktapur and are from an economically disadvantaged caste. Despite being unable to secure gainful employment, they nonetheless have the daunting task of caring for seven other grandchildren. None of Deepika’s siblings have ever attended school.
Junu, age 22, joined the Unatti family in 2005 at age 8. She was malnourished and serving as the family provider by begging for rupees in the Boudha Nath Temple. She tells stories of sleeping outside on the dirt because it was better than observing the domestic violence that permeated her childhood home. Once living at the Unatti Group Home for Girls, she took to school with great enthusiasm and was able to skip a grade, mid-year. She has been a natural caretaker to all of her younger sisters. She graduated high school and is attending Khwopa College in Bhaktapur, Nepal, where she is studying to become a social worker.
Kriti, age 12, joined The Unatti Home for Girls in 2016. Her family, like thousands of others, lost everything in the April 2015 earthquake. Her mother, herself and her two siblings lived in a tent in a vacant lot just 500 yards from The Unatti Group Home for Girls. Without education and empowerment, it is unlikely Kriti's family will have the ability to afford a permanent structure again. We are so happy to have her join the Unatti family and to give her a second chance.
Nistha, now age 12, joined the Unatti Group Home for Girls at the age of 3. Her father had moved to Malaysia to search for work, and years later died of cardiac arrest. His life savings was not recovered after his death and her mother, a manual laborer caring for three children, could seldom earn enough money for food, let alone education. Nistha is thriving in her studies now and loves living with her "sisters" in the Unatti Group Home.
Poonam, age 20, arrived at the Unatti Group Home for Girls in 2002 in the arms of her mother, Sita who was searching for work so she could feed her two girls. Her father was disappointed that his wife did not give birth to a son and deserted the family. We took them all in with Sita becoming a house mother, and the two girls joining the Unatti family. Right away, the girls showed great promise, with Poonan rising to the top of her class.
Puja, age 21, has no memory of her life before living in the Unatti Group Home for Girls. She arrived in 2002 with her mother Sita and sister, Poonam and as one of the original residents of the home, Puja has been big sister to all of the Unatti girls, a wonderful mentor and helper around the house. She is enrolled at Khwopa College in Bhaktapur, Nepal, studying Environmental Sciences with a focus on Forestry. Her goal is to become a green leader in Nepal.
Rachana, age 10, joined the Unatti Home for Girls in 2016.She is from a remote area of Nepal that has little access to basic necessities. She has 6 siblings and her father is the victim of severe mental illness. Because he cannot work, her mother attempted to earn enough to feed the family, but all suffer from illness and malnutrition. We are looking forward to giving Rachana a fresh start with the nutrition and support she needs to help her learn and grow.
Rasilla, age 9, joined The Unatti Group Home for Girls in 2015. After his business failed while she was a toddler, her father left the family and has not been seen since. Rasila’s mother is the sole provider in the home where she lived with her grandparents and younger brother. Because of her mother's inability to provide for the three generations in the home, Rasilla came to The Unatti Group Home for Girls. She arrived extremely small for her age due to poor nutrition, but has bounced back in her growth and become a thriving student.
Rita, age 20, joined the Unatti family at age 7 just after the passing of her father. Prior to the Unatti Home, Rita was living in a small hut with her mother. She arrived wearing time-worn shoots, feeling hesitant and emotionally vulnerable. Years later, Rita has grown into an impressive young woman who graduated at the top of her high school class. She has completed her third year of accounting college and recently became the first Unatti girl to hold a position on the Nepali Board of Directors. Rita serves as the treasurer.“ I am so honored to hold an official position where I am helping to determine Unatti’s mission and goals. I will do everything I can to see that more girls get a chance for a great future just like me.”
Rostika, age 12, joined the Unatti Group Home for Girls at only 3 years old. Her father overdosed while she was still in the womb, and only seven months after giving birth to her, Rostika’s mother disappeared. Rostika and her sisters were left in the care of her grandparents.The burden proved too great for Rostika’s grandfather, a low-caste shoemaker who died by suicide. Since joining the Unatti family, Rostika has become the life of the party - a true lover of song and dance and a welcoming sister to the newer girls that have joined the family.
Rupali, age 16, was found living alone in a room in Bhaktapur at age 4. Her mother had left her when she was 18 months old in the care of her mentally unstable father. In order to find work he would leave Rupali for days at a time, with a bowl of rice beside her. After Rupali joined us, she quickly gained weight and has shown huge progress in her communication skills. She is an accomplished athlete and is one of the most expressive, bubbly girls in the house.
Sangita, now 23, was brought to Unatti by her mother in 2002 at age 7. Her family’s extreme poverty had forced a then-4-year-old Sangita to work as a dishwasher in a small restaurant. At 5, she became ill with pneumonia and spent two years in poor health until she joined our Unatti family. She regained her strength with proper medical care and nutrition, and in her first year of school she landed in 1st position. She is now the first Unatti girl to finish high school and has completed Nursing School. Recently, Sangita became a wife and mother! She is an independent woman, still working as a dialysis nurse, and providing for her family. A true Unatti dream come true!
Sanisha, age 19, joined us in 2007 at 6 years old when she was found in the street, mentally imbalanced after her mother had committed suicide rather than remain in a bad marriage. After her mother's death, she was left alone to work in a local brick factory for 4 months. Sanisha is now our most outgoing child. She loves adventures and taking photos and will be starting college in 2019 to become a social worker.
Sapana, age 18, joined us in 2009 at age 9, when we found her living with her mentally disturbed father in a dirty alley. With a family history of mental illness, we are proud to be working closesly with Sapana on her studies as well as her personal well-being. She is a bright and energetic young woman and it is crucial that we support her past graduation. We're pleased to have the means and resources to do so.
Sarija, age 16, was born into a farm family and lived with her mother and two older sisters. Her father died when she was one year old after a life-long struggle with drug abuse. They had no income and had been scraping by with the food they could grow on their small plot of land. When Sarija joined the Unatti Group Home for Girls at age 4, we also gave her mother, Sharda, a job as a day helper in the Unatti home. In Sarija’s first year in school she earned herself the top position. She is proving to be one of the smartest girls in the house.
Shreejana, age 23, was brought to Unatti house by her mother in 2002. By the time she was 4, her mother had three different husbands and three more children. Shreejana was the caretaker of the babies while her mother worked as a concrete porter, carrying baskets of concrete on her head. She has always been a kind and thoughtful big sister to the Unatti family. She is living an independent life in her home town.
Simron, age 11, was born in western Nepal. Her mother's whereabouts are unknown, which has caused her father and two siblings emotional trauma. As the sole caretaker, her father was unable to provide for the children and Simron was referred to Unatti by members of her community. Simron loves doing art, dancing and singing and is thriving with the support of her Unatti sisters.
Sujina, age 11, joined the Unatti Family in 2019. Her mother had recently passed away after a long battle with cancer. She was left living with her father who’s health is not good, a younger brother and a drug-addicted uncle. When she first arrived at Unatti, Sujina's recovery from the trauma of her mother's passing became our top priority and we are thrilled that our fellow "sisters" and educated counselors were able to provide her loving support and she has begaun to share her feelings freely.
Suku Laxmi, age 21, joined the Unatti Group Home for Girls in 2005 at age 7. When we met her, she was washing dishes at a local restaurant in exchange for food. When she joined the Unatti family, it took her time to adjust to life as a child without the pressures of being a provider. Suku Laxmi is quiet, but very bright. She graduated high school in 2014, attended Iwamura College of Health Science in Bhaktapur , Nepal and is now employed as a lab technician in a hospital in Kathmandu.
Sumitra, age 17, joined the Unatti Group Home for Girls at age 3. Her mother took her own life after years of mental disease, and her father, a former tractor driver, is unable to work after his second bout with tuberculosis. She arrived underweight, developmentally delayed, and with severe nerve damage in her right hand. Within 45 days of joining our Unatti family, she gained three kilos, is developmentally on track, and now has regained considerable use of her right hand. Sumitra loves to dance and dreams of becoming a tour guide.
Sunita, age 18, was 8 years old when she moved into the Unatti home. Before her arrival, she attended a free government school, which had only managed to educate her to a second-grade level. Her father died six years prior and her mother continues to work as a farm laborer to support her extended family of six who all live in a one-room home. Sunita now excels in sports and traditional Nepali dance. She has natural leadership skills and has been elected as the current president of the Unatti Child Club by her Unatti sisters.
Samriddhi, age 8, came to The Unatti Home for Girls in 2015. She is from a rural village where she lived with her mother, father, and four siblings in a two-roomed hut. Two of her older siblings had been sold as child labors, which was the only income for the family. She was next in line for a life of child labor, but our team convinced her parents to send her to the Unatti Group Home for Girls instead. She is now thriving in her studies and upon graduation, will be able to provide more secure support for her family and siblings.
Saraswoti (age 21) was one of the first five girls to join the Unatti Group Home for Girls in 2002. She was born into a family of very little means, living in a slum in central Nepal. Both her parents suffer from physical & mental health problems, leaving them both unable to work. Saraswoti has always maintained a quiet composure but her true nature is mighty! She has been best friends with all of the Unatti sisters and recently graduated from college as an X-ray technician with employment at two local hospitals. She has returned to live with her parents and younger sister and her salary will enable them all to move out of the slums. She is a self assured, educated young woman.
Rosani, age 14, joined the Unatti family at age 9. Her father had passed away due to heart disease, so she was living with her mother in a one-bedroom home with four other siblings. Her family has been lower-caste farmers for many generations, but as they own no land, her mother works as a construction laborer to feed her children. Rosani adjusted well to the Unatti home and loves painting and photography.
Swostika, age 9, joined The Unatti Home in 2015. Our Foundation learned about her tragic story from concerned neighbors who noticed she was left alone 10-12 hours daily in her grandmother’s one room home, eating only if neighbors remembered to stop in with a bowl of rice. When Swostika first arrived at The Unatti Group Home for Girls her years of isolation and neglect were palpable as she was uncommunicative and withdrawn and kept to herself. She is now thriving and a beloved member of the Unatti Family.
