More than $2,000 raised for Dream Home

POULSBO — The Dream Home built by Poulsbo’s First Lutheran Church in Milan Chok, Nepal is coming along.

Still needing clean water and reliable electricity, among other things, the orphanage built for more than 20 children is still a ways from being complete.

“There are so many other things that need to be done before the orphanage is up and running,” Poulsbo Rotarian Naveen Chaudhary said.

On July 21, “Friends of the Dream Home,” a community group dedicated to the success of the orphanage, held a fundraiser that brought in $2,800 for the project. The Rotary Club of Poulsbo-North Kitsap recently gave $2,100 towards beds for the orphanage, and received a district grant of $2,500 to match funds contributed by Rotary and the First Lutheran Church, which has raised about $20,000 since it became involved.

More than $8,000 also is required for the well.

Chaudhary said more fundraisers are in the works.

The Dream Home still needs bathrooms and a more reliable source of electricity. If possible, Chaudhary would like to see solar power installed. Laptops for the children are being collected. Four have been donated so far, 21 more are needed, Chaudhary said.

Chaudhary said the group is seeking sponsors for five more orphans. The sponsors so far are either rotarians or members of the church.

Though not finalized, the next fundraiser for the orphanage could be in the next three to four weeks, Chaudhary said.

“The idea is to get the community involved,” he said.

But Chaudhary and all those involved may not stop with this orphanage.

In the next year to year-and-a-half, Chaudhary would like to begin building another orphanage if the Dream Home is successful. He would also like to see a partnership with the WPPC Nepal Foundation, a Seattle nonprofit, which helps prevent human trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and children.

 

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