The Mitrata Boarding Hostel was built in 1999 in a remote area in the district of Sindhupalchok, in the Himalayan Mountains, about 65 kms North East of Kathmandu. The complex sits on the side of a hill overlooking a valley, in an area known for its beauty and some of the best treks in Nepal.

 

Mitrata’s aim is to provide an education for girls who live in impoverished circumstances in remote areas of this district, in particular those areas where there are no educational facilities available or where it is impossible to travel to the nearest school because of the distance involved. 

 

The girls live at the hostel during school terms and attend classes between Kindergarten and Year 10 at the local primary and lower secondary school and, while boarding at Mitrata, are provided with free accommodation, uniforms, clothing, extra tuition, food and medical support in a safe and loving environment.  

Mitrata is not an orphanage; it is a boarding hostel which has deliberately been built close to a school to allow the children to receive a full education. The girls return to their homes during school holidays and long weekends.

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Life for the girls becomes a lot easier while they are living in dorms at Mitrata. Apart from keeping their rooms tidy, the housemothers cook and clean for them which gives them plenty of time to study and play after school. They make friends quickly and living with the other girls gives them a sense of responsibility, knowing that everyone one around them is going through the same experience. 

 

They also learn to become independent and the older girls take on the responsibilities of looking after girls that are younger than they are. Outside of lessons, they have great fun playing sports and games together and they also enjoy working in their garden growing beautiful fruit and vegetables.