About HEAD Nepal

Established in 2011

Himalayan Education and Development [HEAD] Nepal is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious, and non-governmental regional organization working for the empowerment and development of people with disabilities in the Himalayan region of Nepal. The organization was founded in 2011 by Mr. Chhitup Lama with the active participation of the local people of Humla.

HEAD Nepal is registered under the district administration office Humla with Registration Number 137 and affiliated to the Social Welfare Council (SWC) government of Nepal with Affiliation Number 33309. The office of HEAD is located at the district headquarter of Humla, Simikot, as the activities are currently concentrated in this district. Head Nepal is run by a Board of seven highly enthusiastic people under a Board of General Assembly with 25 members. Our staff and volunteers show a high dedication and passion level for all the projects managed by HEAD Nepal.

HEAD Nepal is the only active and leading disability focused organization in Humla district who holds a team of highly motivated staffs and volunteers with expertise in disability domain. It collaborates with various funding and technical partners (NGOs, INGOs, Government Agencies, and Individuals) to fulfill its objectives of empowerment and overall development of persons with disabilities of Humla district.

Within ten years of its establishment, the quality work of HEAD Nepal has created its niche and holds positive impression among the local people and various stakeholders in Humla. It is sought as the resource organization in terms of delivering expertise in the areas of children with disabilities. It is affiliated with the National Federation of the Disabled Nepal (NFDN), an umbrella organization of DPOs working for the rights of persons with disabilities in Nepal.

Vision

HEAD Nepal sees a Nepal where people with disabilities participate actively in all sectors of society with a high social position and respect.

Mission

The mission of HEAD Nepal is to expand the participation and contribution of Nepali men, women, and children with disabilities especially from the mountainous region of Nepal to all aspects of society, by empowering, educating, strengthening, and mobilizing them to face every situation that life has to offer.

Organization Objectives

  1. To empower people with disability and other marginalized offering them training, presenting them their potential, encouraging and supporting them to become economically self-sufficient and live according to their free will. 
  2. To support people with disability to live a dignified life, giving extra focus to their education, health and skill development, leading to their rehabilitation and optimization of their skills and talents through trainings and capacity building 
  3. To change the behavior and attitudes of society towards people with disability and to concentrate on changing the negative self-perception of persons living with disability.
  4. To play an active leadership role in the advocacy for the rights of the person with disabilities, focusing on the services, protection and opportunities that should be provided by the state for them
  5. To work for the development of the people with disabilities and other marginalized community, fostering coordination of state and non-state actors through the development of networks, and participation in the alliances for people with disabilities

HEAD NEPAL has the following organization values.
A.      Highest Standard of Ethical Conduct
B.      Personal and Professional Integrity
C.      Respect, Honesty and Fairness in Workplace
D.      Compliance with Applicable Laws
E.      Transparency and Accountability
F.      Impartiality and Neutrality
G.      Inclusiveness and Diversity, including Acceptance of the General Principle of UNCRPD
H.      “Do not harm” Approach

I.      Believe in HEAD Nepal’s Vision And Mission

What we do

Head Nepal intends to work for all kinds of persons with disabilities in the Humla district as far as its resources favor. We conduct different support services, vocational/educational training, awareness/sensitization programs, etc. throughout the year for different kinds of persons with disabilities with different age groups. However, currently, our major focus remains on providing education/training to the blind and partially sighted, and physically disabled children in Humla.

 Some of the highlights of HEAD Nepal interventions till now include: 

  • The “HEAD Vision Home”, a residential educational training center for blind and partially sighted children located at Simikot. (started from May 2012) 
  • The “Head Enable Home”, the second residential educational center for children with physical/mobility disability in Simikot started in September 2016. 
  • The “Mobile School” since 2011 for the Children with Disabilities in the Himalayas promoting literacy and inclusive education for the children with disabilities and their parents in the rural Nepal through operating a mobile school with literacy based educational training at their home and ultimately integrate them into mainstream education system which has been nominated on the top 10 best initiatives for Now-Us Award! Organized by the Spindle Netherland in 2018.
  • The “HEAD Skill Development Center”, conducting skill building and vocational training on computer skill, sewing and cutting skill, webbing and knitting skill, Christel Jewels making training etc. for adult people with disabilities and other socially and economically marginalized group of Humli society 
  • “Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR)” program, working for the rehabilitation of the people with disabilities through numbers of educational, livelihood and other opportunities.
  •  Program to reduce hunger and improve nutrition amongst children with disabilities and other marginalized children in two Rural Municipalities (Chankheli and Simikot)
  • “Disability Information Advisory Services (Help Desk)”, providing necessary information, counselling, advice, referral on various kinds of services available for the people with disabilities themselves, their family, community members and other relevant individuals/organizations. 
  • Awareness and Advocacy for improving the local policy and services for person with disability
  • “A Brighter Future” includes a series of trainings, workshops and meetings for a better and brighter future of people with disabilities.
  • Health Care services including physiotherapy and other health requirements of children with disabilities.