“We have a heart for people. That’s the only thing there is.” – Maya & Lalita

Dhanu Maya lives in Surkhet, a small town in the far west of Nepal. Around the year 2000, she started taking in children whose parents could no longer care for them. She took them into her own home because she had a deep urge of wanting to help. Gradually that resulted in formal adoption. More and more people, including the police, knew their way to her – a family replacement home was born, nurtured by the love of Maya, her brother and her mother. Maya became the adoptive mother of 21 children, the vast majority of whom have since flown out and married, and in some cases have children of their own. Of course, Maya is still deeply involved with them, even though they live a day’s journey away. 

Currently, two girls (Grace & Alisha) still live with Maya. In addition to supporting her 21 children, Maya is involved with 16 underprivileged children in the region. She helps with school fees, school clothing & exam fees. The guideline is: we give what we have. Maya is helped by Lalita, who also lives with her. 

Until the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, Maya & Lalita offered Montessori teaching at home. Lalita now teaches at another school. Maya grows mushrooms at home for sale. The vegetable garden and some small livestock provide as much food as possible. They receive occasional donations, as well as structural financial support through this foundation.

The experience of the past twenty years has provided insights. Maya (& Lalita) have decided to help as much as possible by encouraging and advising the local community. Wherever possible, they support the existing network of family and/or neighbors in caring for children. This allows more children to be helped, but not by caring for them in a family replacement home. So besides being an adoptive mother, Maya has also become a social and community worker, involved with children and those around them. 

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