There are approximately one million orphaned, abandoned and displaced children in Nepal; many of who suffer daily due to armed conflict, displacement, poverty, natural disasters, and illness. Children left without the care and protection of parents, begin a downward spiral of suffering that often ends in addiction, violence, sexual exploitation or death. Global Family Village (GFV) exists to help disenfranchised children reach their full potential through family-centered, community based homes; to thrive and become productive members of their society.
Vision, Mission, Goals, Core Values
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OUR VISION
Sustaining Change for Orphaned Children and Society
Global Family Village (GFV) envisions a permanent systemic change within the child welfare system; allowing all disenfranchised children in Nepal the opportunity to grow up in a home with a stable family unit including siblings, surrogate parent caregivers and strong community ties.
MISSION
Global Family Village (GFV's) mission is to help disenfranchised children reach their full potential through family-centered, community based homes; to thrive and become productive members of their society.
GOALS
- Facilitate change from institutional orphan care to family-centered, community-based homes through partnerships with existing orphanages and local community stakeholders.
- Support holistic development of orphan children in an enabling environment.
- Ensure sustainability and self-sufficiency through principles of environmental protection and respect.
- Provide necessary and ongoing training and financial support for families to ensure long-term success of the children.
- Develop strong and lasting relationships with donors, partners and government agencies.
- Alleviate suffering of children.
- Raise sufficient funds through donations to Global Family Village Inc. in order to actualize the organizational Mission and Goals.
- Create a scalable, repeatable model that could be transferred to other countries where there is a need and desire to implement.
OBJECTIVES
- Identify suitable houses in supportive communities. Transform these homes as required to adequately meet the needs of GFV families.
- Provide training and support to “mothers”’ and “grandparents”.
- Provide medical and dental access.
- Provide support for education through the integration in community schools.
- Provide early childhood education training for community families.
- Implement environmentally sustainable initiatives for food production and processing and waste disposal.
CORE VALUES
Values That Drive Global Family Village Programs
In meeting our goals and objectives, and creating a replicable model for serving children in need, our programs shall be driven by the following values:
- GFV is committed to honesty and integrity and therefore operates with 100 percent accountability and transparency for the benefit of its donors, partners, staff and supporters.
- GFV commits that to the best of its ability all decisions that the organization makes ultimately contribute to the mental, physical and spiritual health and well being of disenfranchised children.
- GFV seeks out and fosters partnerships with Nepali and other organizations understanding that such partnerships with contribute to achieving the VISION and MISSION of the organization.
- GFV is committed to staying current on and implementing best practices related to childcare and helping children of trauma.
- GFV supports environmental sustainability and where ever possible will seek out solutions that reduce or minimize environmental impact.
Global Family Village, a community-based orphanage model, was conceived after the founder Freema Devis visited a Romanian SOS Children’s Village. SOS had adopted abandoned children who were born with HIV/AIDS and grouped them into family units with "mothers". The sight of the once-hapless children now living together as a family and experiencing so much love and comfort from each other inspired her to start a similar family centered community model for orphan children in Nepal.
In 2004, Freema, with the assistance of The International Child Resource Institute (ICRI), began the initiative to transform institutional orphanages. Initially, the Healthy Infant & Baby Development Program at Bal Mandir Orphanage in Kathmandu was started as an urgent intervention for the safety and health of the newborns and and toddlers awaiting adoption. The intervention was broad based and addressed numerous deficiencies including: physical improvements such as furnishing existing and an additional room, new paint and curtains, general building repairs, creation of a play area, repair or replacement of outdated electrical equipment and fixtures, new cribs and mattresses, new clothes and toys. Donations were received to cover all the costs. The living environment of the children was vastly improved.
The physical improvements occurred in conjunction with ongoing caregiver training offered in collaboration with Educate the Children (ETC-Nepal) as the implementing agency.
March 2007, Global Family Village, Inc. (GFV) was established as a nonprofit organization in the USA. GFV provides a vehicle to raise funds and provide tax receipts.
The Nepal office of GFV is registered with the Social Welfare Council of Nepal under the Social Welfare Act 2049, article no.13, 2005/06.
INTERNATIONAL NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Global Family Village (GFV) is an international nonpolitical, nonprofit organization, working in the field of child welfare. GFV was established in the U.S. as an international nongovernmental organization (INGO) in March 2007 by Freema Davis as a vehicle to raise funds for programs to help disenfranchised children and to support the creation and implementation of family-centered community-based care for orphaned and abandoned children in Nepal.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
GFV is headed by Executive Director Freema Davis and governed by an international volunteer Board of Directors, who have extensive Nepal and are committed to helping its disenfranchised children realize a more positive future.
AGREEMENTS
GFV and the Social Welfare Council (SWC) of Nepal signed a General Agreement, dated June 4, 2007, thereby creating Global Family Village (GFV). Under Nepali law, an INGO like GFV must sign a Project Agreement for all programs and activities and must implement these programs through approved non-government organizations (NGOs). GFV has agreements to partner with multiple NGOs, all chosen for their expertise and excellence in their program implementation. (See Our Partners.) GFV provides overall coordination, oversight of all activities, and final reporting to governmental agencies and donors. GFV’s office in Nepal is run by a Nepali staff. They are in constant communication with the executive director, who divides her time between Nepal and the U.S. There is a dedicated Nepali Board of Directors and Advisors that meets regularly and generously volunteers their time to share their experience and expertise.
Global Family Village (GFV) US Office:
22 San Carlos Avenue, El Cerrito, CA, USA
Telephone: 510 524-GIVE(4483); Fax: 510-525-3535
info@globalfamilyvillage.org
Global Family Village (GFV) Country Office-Nepal
Lalitpur, Nepal
Telephone 977- 9841763681 (Pratiksha Shrestha)
info@globalfamilyvillage.org
GLOBAL FAMILY VILLAGE
Freema Davis, Founder / Director of Programs
Freema Davis founded Global Family Village, Inc. in March 2007. She has been working on behalf of Nepal’s disenfranchised women and children since 1994. (Read more…)
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Linda Cedarbaum, Executive Director
Linda Cedarbaum, former Scretary of the Board, is an early childhood therapist, educator and social worker. (Read more...)
Michael Sautman, Chairman of the Board
Michael Sautman specializes in Nonprofit Organizational Development. (Read more…)
Michael Wray, Treasurer of the Board
Michael Wray is a retired businessman currently residing in the San Francisco South Bay. (Read more…)
Joy Amulya, PhD, Board Member
Joy Amulya, PhD works domestically and internationally to promote research and practice in the implementation, support, and evaluation of community and development initiatives. (Read more…)
Anda Bruinsma, Vice-Chairperson of the Board
Anda Bruinsma is the president of People Matter Consulting, an organization that helps businesses and individuals increase their capacity and effectiveness. (Read more…)
Nancy C. Compton, PhD, Board Member
Nancy Compton, PhD. is an associate clinical professor at the University of California Child Trauma Research Project. (Read more…)
Barbara Cook, Board Member
Barbara Cook has worked as a tireless and most generous volunteer in Nepal for almost 20 years, working on behalf of disenfranchised women and children. (Read more…)
Aaron Lones, MPH, Fund Developer, is a development manager at a community health center in Alameda County, California.(Read more…)
Beth ‘Buffy’ Murphy, Board Member
Buffy Murphy shares GFV’s passionate concern for the health, education and welfare of women and children in the developing world, specifically, orphans in institutional care.(Read more…)
Bernard “Bud” Davis,Board Member
Bud Davis is an independent business consultant, currently living in Miami, Florida.
(Read more…)
Govind Shahi, Board Member
Govind Shahi is the owner of Himalayan Travels, a Bay Area travel agency. (Read more…)
Shanti Basnyat, Nepal, started her association with GFV as an advisor on June 1, 2007, and took over as Country Director, GFV Nepal office on December 1, 2007. (Read more…)
Narendra K. Basnyat is the chairman of Himalayan Distilleries, Ltd.He is also founder/chairman and member of the executive committee (Read more…)
Anil Chitrakar is a noted architectural heritage expert, social entrepreneur, and cultural historian. (Read more…)
Rita Thapa A feminist activist for the past 25 years, Rita is recognized for her groundbreaking work in founding Tewa, the Nepal Women’s Fund. (Read more…)
Pratiksha Shrestha, Office/Finance Manager, Nepal, graduated from Tribhuvan University with a bachelor's degree in commerce. (Read more…)
Sunil Sakya is a past president of the Nepal-USA Chamber of Commerce & Industry and founder of two Rotary Clubs in Kathmandu.(Read more…)
Helen Walka, PhD, former Board member and current Friend is a developmental psychologist with 30 years experience working with infants, young children, and families in research, clinical and applied settings.(Read more…)
Kim Webb, principal, Webb Design, San Francisco, Kim Webb is the founder of Webb Design, a graphics firm specializing in corporate print and web design. (Read more…)
WHAT WE DO
1. GFV engages government agencies responsible for child welfare and orphan care. Memos of Understanding are signed and support is gained for the implementation of the GFV community based orphan care model. Government agencies are encouraged to remain involved with the development of family-houses and are expected to facilitate orphanage participation.
2. GFV identifies potential orphanages or communities that are commited to improving the care of orphaned and abandoned children. Specific minimum requirements include running water, toilets, electricity hook up, telephone, living space adequate for at least 2 families (approximately 20 people), space for training, child care, outdoor play area close by, and access to public transportation within a community with a public school.
3. GFV partners with existing orphanages and ensures their support and commitment to the model. GFV assists in the formation of family Each “family” lives together in their own space.
4. Orphanages continue to be legally responsible for the children in the family-homes.
5. GFV partners with community to understand their needs and develop strategies that are mutually beneficial. Investment in community school made to ensure children from GFV home could be accommodated.
6. GFV Caregivers’ Training Program guides caregivers to see themselves as “mothers” by educating and empowering them in the latest methods of child development and care for traumatized children. The “mothers” are women who have been widowed or marginalized, and need a family and a home. The elders (grand parents) from the community are also chosen because of their need for a family.
7. Every GFV-assited Home to the extent feasible offers childcare, preprimary education, Caregiver training, nutrition classes, and local school improvement.
8. Children attend the local school and play with their neighbors, and therefore belong to the community and are included in its social life. This community becomes their home community for the rest of their life.
9. Each GFV-assisted Home has a supervisor and is assisted by GFV Inc in developing opportunities for income-generating activities to ensure long-term sustainability.