Who is Havens of Hope Children's Homes?

Havens of Hope began in 2003 as a private effort of Wayne and Jan Potter and Doug, Debbie, Norris and Carolyn Hall of Indiana. They started by funding a children's home in Kathmandu, Nepal to begin restoring the lives of orphans in Nepal. The mission has grown as it has teamed up with other individuals and churches, open up a 2nd children's home in Pokhara, Nepal. Wayne Potter and Doug Hall, co-founders, are successful businessmen whose past senior staff level experience in technology and service companies have given them an approach to serving the poor and the orphan by using their organizational knowledge in conjunction with their walk with the Lord in a unique way.

The mission of Havens of Hope Children's Homes is to restore the lives of orphans in partnership with churches, organizations and individuals who have a passion to help needy, fatherless children. (See the Vision page for more information).

What are the key guiding principles that contribute to the success of the Havens of Hope mission?

  1. Each home is first based upon Christian principles. Children need to be brought up with absolutes that the Bible fosters. Relying on God as our provider and guide making all things possible.
  2. It is in the best interest of orphaned children to be reunited with extended family members as often as is practical.
  3. We do not build large institutions that can become overcrowded and impersonal and force children to be moved far from their familiar surroundings.
  4. The ratio of caregivers to children should be no more than 1:4. This is probably one of the best ratios of anywhere in the world.
  5. Currently we are supporting all children's homes from a general fund created from a group of individual donors. However, we are developing a model where a whole home is sponsored by an individual, church or organization. Disbursements are based on cost plus factors which are less dependent on the number of children than on improving conditions and services to the kids.
  6. Accountability is accomplished by coordinating with the local administrator in Kathmandu, Nepal whom oversees and liaises with each of the children's homes staff. Communication to donors is provided using Web Technology that includes images of children, caregivers and documentation of current happenings. It also serves as a point where needs for the homes are expressed.
  7. Havens of Hope partners with organizations that work with indigenous leaders and workers as the means to accomplish their objectives.

Does Havens of Hope have a religious affiliation?

As a Christian organization, Havens of Hope is non-denominational and works with many different churches and denominations. The organization is grounded in the scripture verse of James 1:27, which reads: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

What are some of the ways sponsors help orphans through Havens of Hope?

Orphans' lives depend totally on our ability to serve the needs that any family such as your own would have (i.e. housing, schooling, food, loving care, etc.). You can help them by contributing your time, talents, and resources. Sponsors help the most in these areas:

  1. General operating funds - Without faithful donors to cover our operation costs, our growth will stagnate. Our core systems and infrastructure depends on it. We send 100% of all designated funds directly through to children's programs and homes.
  2. Prayer - There are pictures of each individual child and their caregivers on this web site. Please pray for these precious children as the Lord leads you. In addition, we ask that you pray for the children's home staff and local church pastors and congregation whose response to the Holy Spirit brings a childhood to a child who might not have had one otherwise. For more specific prayer, Havens of Hope provides an updated list of specific prayer requests on this website.

How many homes has Havens of Hope helped start in Nepal?

There are currently 2 homes now fully functional caring for children in rented quarters. The first children's home was opened in Kathmandu, Nepal in February 2004 and the second home was opened in Pokhara, Nepal in February 2006.

What is a Havens of Hope Children's Home and how is it different from institutional orphanages?

Most people think of an orphanage as some sort of sprawling, dingy, isolated institution. Havens of Hope supports a quite different model. The facilities are designed with the child's safety is our primary concern. Each home has sleeping and privacy quarters for the children and caretakers which are separate from the eating, study and play areas. Each children's home is located within walking distance to a local church which takes an active role in the children's spiritual support.

Are my gifts to Havens of Hope tax deductible?

Havens of Hope Children's Home is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization under the parent organization of Children's Feeding Network recognized by the IRS. All gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Whether or not your gifts are deductible on your tax return may depend on your own financial situation and the tax form you use.

Does Havens of Hope do adoptions?

Havens of Hope Children's Homes is a ministry that serves as a means for indigenous people to care for orphans in their own countries and does not include arrangements for adoptions. However, you may want to check with organizations that only deal with needy children (like World Vision) to find out who they might recommend as a viable adoption partner.

How do kids get to school?

At the children's home in Pokhara, the home is located so that it is accessible to a village school. In Kathmandu, the Children's Home is located too far from the school, so a van has been provided for transportation (this van was paid for by funds raised in June of 2004 by East 91st Street Christian Church Vacation Bible School in Indianapolis, Indiana).

How are caretakers recruited?

They are typically recruited from the local church congregation affiliated with the Children's Home.

How is religious training accomplished?

The children are offered Bible teaching on a daily basis in the children's home, at the Christian school that they attend and at the local church that they attend.