For the 440 children who attend Innovative Academy in Nepal, school is more than just a place to learn; it is a sanctuary. In a region where many families belong to the Musahar community – often referred to as the “lowest of the low” – education is the only ladder out of generational poverty. But for 37 of these children, Innovative Academy is also the only home they have ever known.

Pastor Ruben, who founded Innovative Academy shared, “We have orphaned children who we look after at the school. We don’t have a separate orphanage and so they live in the school building. It was a makeshift solution born of necessity and love, but it was never meant to be permanent.“

Recently, this arrangement put the entire school at risk. Nepalese authorities, concerned about the lack of dedicated space for the orphans to live, issued a stark ultimatum: Build a proper orphanage or face closure.

For Ruben, the thought of losing the academy was devastating. It wouldn’t just mean 37 children losing their home; it would mean 440 children losing their future. But, as we have seen so often in the work of Feed The Hungry, where there is a great need, there is an even greater response from our community of supporters.

We are overjoyed to share a landmark update: thanks to your incredible generosity, we have raised enough funds to begin the first phase of construction. Enough money has been raised to lay the foundations for the new orphanage.

Work on the foundations began in early March. These foundations represent more than just concrete and steel; they are a bedrock of hope for children who have faced family loss. By moving them from the classrooms into a dedicated home, we are restoring their dignity, building hope and securing the future of the entire school.

Pastor Ruben continued, “We are so grateful to everyone who has enabled us to begin this work – thank you so much. We know that there is still a long way to go but we know that God has got this.”

While we celebrate this ground-breaking success, the journey continues. We still need to raise the remaining funds to complete the walls, the roof, and the rooms that will soon house these precious children. Thank you for standing with us as we turn this site of “survival” into a place of “significance.” Together, we are building a home not just for these children, but for the many more who come after.