Street Children in Nepal
In recent years, the number of street children in Nepal has been steadily increasing, particularly in urban areas. Kathmandu alone is home to more than 1,000 street children who have no fixed residence. Beyond the capital, over 4,000 homeless children are living in cities such as Pokhara, Biratnagar, Dharan, Nepalgunj, and Bhairahawa.
An estimated 90% of these children are boys, with only 10% being girls. The rise in street children is closely linked to several contributing factors: rapid urbanization, internal migration, family breakdown, extreme poverty, rising unemployment, and abandonment.
Tragically, Nepal currently lacks any formal organization dedicated to providing shelter or emergency care specifically for these vulnerable children. As a result, they are left to wander the streets by day and sleep in dangerous, unprotected public spaces by night.
Street Children in Nepal: A Growing Crisis
Nepal is currently facing a serious crisis with the increasing number of street children in its urban areas. In Kathmandu alone, there are over 1,000 street children with no permanent home. Across other major cities—such as Pokhara, Biratnagar, Dharan, Nepalgunj, and Bhairahawa—more than 4,000 children are living in similarly vulnerable conditions.
These children are often shunned by their families, abandoned by parents, or forced to flee due to poverty, violence, or neglect. Approximately 90% of street children are boys, while 10% are girls. The causes behind this tragic rise include:
Rapid urbanization
Family breakdown
Internal migration
Lack of education
High unemployment
Extreme poverty
Without care or protection, these children live in constant danger. They sleep on sidewalks, under bridges, or beside stray dogs, who, despite carrying disease, provide the only warmth these children know.
Street Life and Its Dangers
Life on the streets is brutal. In order to survive, many of these children are forced into begging, petty theft, or even prostitution. With no access to food, shelter, or basic hygiene, many become addicted to harmful substances such as:
Tobacco and alcohol
Cigarettes and glue sniffing (dendrite)
Injecting drugs with unclean needles
Some children contract HIV or other infections due to unsanitary conditions and lack of awareness. When tourism season ends—the only time they receive scraps from tourists—many are left to dig through garbage, collecting plastic to sell for pennies.
They suffer from lice, bed bugs, malnutrition, and chronic illnesses. But more than that, they suffer from loneliness and hopelessness.
What Are We Doing to Help?
Our organization is taking grassroots action to bring hope and healing. We currently visit local areas in Kathmandu and beyond, offering:
Hot meals
Clean clothes
Basic health check-ups
Emotional support and counseling
We are also in the early stages of a new initiative:
Kapan Destitute Street Youth Drop-In Centre
We aim to build a new shelter in Kapan for homeless and at-risk children. This centre will provide:
Daily meals and clean water
Warm bedding and clothes
A safe space to sleep
Volunteers and caregivers from the local community
We believe every child has the right to safety, dignity, and a future. This project will need initial funding to build and launch the centre, and we are seeking partners, sponsors, and volunteers who share our vision.
How You Can Help Street Children in Nepal
You can be a part of this vital mission. Whether you choose to volunteer, sponsor a child, or donate to our shelter project, your contribution will go directly toward:
Rescuing children from the streets
Protecting them from abuse, addiction, and disease
Offering them a chance to go to school, dream again, and thrive
Help us build a better future.
Support the street children of Nepal today.
👉 Visit our donation page or contact us here to learn more.
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