House with Heart’s work in Nepal is carried out by a dedicated team of in-country staff who provide daily care at the family home, manage the Skillful Hands program, and deliver educational and enrichment initiatives. Family home and education staff provide daily care and educational support for the girls in our care, while Skillful Hands enables adult women to build financial independence through free sewing training and paid work producing felt crafts that support the organization’s programs.
Staff
Family Home Staff
Hem Bahadur Rai
House Manager
Hem Bahadur Rai, affectionately called “Hem Papa” or “Hem Uncle” by the House Daughters, has been a guiding presence at House with Heart since 2006. Raised in rural Nepal, he built his life through determination, integrity, and a deep commitment to service, and holds a BA in business. Hem manages the organization’s accounting, security, and all building construction and maintenance projects. As House Manager, he oversees daily operations, staff, and facilities, and is often the first person the House Daughters turn to for guidance and support. During the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath, Hem coordinated emergency response efforts and helped ensure the safety and stability of the House, later leading reconstruction and expansion projects. Known for his calm leadership and practical wisdom, he brings both warmth and rigor to everything he does.
Samista Thapa
Children’s Supervisor
Samista Thapa joined House with Heart’s staff in 2012 and serves as the organization’s Childcare Supervisor, overseeing the daily care and well-being of the youngest House Daughters. Affectionately known throughout the House as “Auntie,” she lives in the residence full time and helps provide a stable family environment. Samista oversees household staff and guides the children through study time, meals, hygiene, and bedtime. With a background as an art teacher, she brings creativity and warmth to daily life, supporting each child’s growth through attentive, compassionate, and consistent care.
Dhana Maya Balami
Residential Supervisor
Dhana Maya Balami has served as Residential Supervisor at our family home in Kathmandu since 2024, where she lives on site and oversees the daily care, safety, and well-being of the adolescent girls and young women in our program. She brings more than a decade of experience working with children and vulnerable communities in Nepal. Dhana Maya previously worked as a Montessori kindergarten teacher and spent several years as a social mobilizer with Change Nepal, an NGO supporting survivors of human trafficking. She also served as a residential caregiver in a children’s home for eight years prior to joining House with Heart. Trained in early childhood development, life skills education, and community outreach, Dhana Maya holds a Bachelor of Education and is a government-certified middle school teacher.
Maya Lama
Childcare Provider
Maya Lama was raised at House with Heart’s Kathmandu family home, becoming a House Daughter in 2004 at age eight. Maya holds a Master’s degree in English from Tribhuvan University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work, journalism, and mass communication from Jaya Multiple Campus. In 2024, Maya joined the residential staff as a live-in childcare provider. Maya has also worked in education and residential childcare settings in Nepal, including serving as Head of the English Department at Mokshada School in Kathmandu. Her professional experience includes classroom teaching, student mentorship, and supporting children’s educational and personal development. At House with Heart, Maya helps supervise the House Daughters, assists with tutoring, and supports the girls’ daily routines.
Suresh Kumar K.C.
Legal Counsel
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Laxmi Sapkota
Head Gardener
Originally from Nuwakot, Nepal, Laxmi Sapkota spent many years engaged in physically demanding labor and caregiving before beginning her work with House with Heart in 2012. Those experiences helped shape the strong work ethic and resilience she brings to her role as Head Gardener. Laxmi cares for the property’s gardens, growing vegetables and maintaining the grounds that support daily life at the residence. Over many years, she has developed deep knowledge of gardening and vegetable cultivation through both traditional agricultural practices passed down in her village and hands-on training.
Bimala Poudel
Head Cook
Bimala Poudel, raised in the mountainous district of Sindhupalchowk in central Nepal, began working at a young age to help support her family and developed strong cooking skills preparing traditional Nepali meals within her community. Since beginning her work with House with Heart in 2008, she has played an essential role in the daily life of the organization’s family home and campus community. In addition to her work in the kitchen, Bimala also completed House with Heart’s sewing training program and continues to value opportunities for hands-on learning and skill development. Her responsibilities as Head Cook require organization, consistency, and the ability to prepare meals for a large residential household. Bimala is known for her deep knowledge of traditional home-style cooking and for the reliability and warmth she brings to her work each day. Through years of dedicated service, she has become a deeply respected and valued member of the House with Heart community.
Parbati Shakya
Assistant Gardener
Parbati Shakya is from Sindhupalchowk, Nepal, where she developed practical skills in gardening and household care from an early age. She spent years helping manage homes and gardens within her community before starting work at House with Heart in 2013. In addition to completing sewing and skills-training programs through House with Heart, Parbati developed a particular interest in vegetable cultivation and garden care. As Assistant Gardener, she helps maintain the property’s gardens and cultivated areas.
Janaki “Miley” Magar
Assistant Cook
Janaki “Miley” Magar grew up in the Bara region of Nepal and has spent much of her life supporting her family through labor-intensive work, including employment in the carpet industry. Since beginning her work with House with Heart in 2019, Miley has assisted with meal preparation, kitchen organization, and the daily operations of the residential home. Her responsibilities include preparing vegetables, serving meals, and maintaining an organized and efficient kitchen environment for children, staff, and guests. Known within the House community for her energy and warm presence, Miley contributes to the sense of care and hospitality at the residence.
Sajita Bogati
Childcare Provider, Children’s Learning Center Supervisor
Sajita Bogati serves in two roles at House with Heart, helping care for the House Daughters at the residence while also supervising the organization’s Children’s Learning Center. Raised between Kathmandu and her family’s home village in Okhaldhunga, she attended Montessori and boarding schools before pursuing studies in business and later working with schools and child welfare organizations in Nepal. Since beginning her work with House with Heart in 2022, Sajita has balanced caregiving responsibilities within the residential home alongside overseeing daily activities and educational programming for local children at the Learning Center.
Isha Tajpuria
Assistant Childcare Provider
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Tej Bahadur Basnet
Night Guard
Tej Bahadur Basnet comes from the mountainous Solukhumbu region of northeastern Nepal. He completed his education through Grade 8 before moving to Kathmandu, where he later trained professionally in security work. Since beginning his work with House with Heart, Tej has overseen the safety and security of the residential property during overnight hours. His responsibilities require attentiveness, consistency, and the ability to manage the campus independently at night.
Rajendra Tamang
Day Guard
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Anita Khadka
Housekeeper
Anita Khadka comes from the Ramechhap region of Nepal and did not have access to formal education growing up. Before beginning her work with House with Heart in 2020, she spent many years navigating significant personal and economic hardship while working to support her family. As Housekeeper, Anita is responsible for keeping the residential buildings clean, orderly, and well cared for. Her work requires reliability, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities within a busy household setting. Outside her work at House with Heart, Anita has remained deeply committed to creating greater stability and opportunity for her children.
Skillful Hands Program Staff
Dev Kala Bishwokarma
Sewing Training Program Manager, Felting Program Supervisor
Dev Kala Bishwokarma leads House with Heart’s Skillful Hands program as Sewing Training Program Manager and Felting Program Supervisor. She teaches intensive, hands-on sewing courses for women in the Kathmandu community and oversees production in the organization’s felting program, whose handmade goods help support House with Heart’s operations. Dev Kala first came to House with Heart to enroll in its sewing training program while raising her young son as a single mother. Today, she is widely respected in the community for training women who go on to build successful careers in tailoring and open their own shops.
Shubhadra Karki
Felting Program Artisan
Shubhadra Karki began working with House with Heart in 2009 through Skillful Hands, the organization’s sewing and felt artisan training program. She grew up in Okhaldhunga in eastern Nepal and completed her education through Grade 5 before leaving school and beginning work and raising her family. What began as an eighteen-day training course through Skillful Hands developed into a long career in felt artistry and design. Shubhadra is an experienced artisan with a strong eye for detail and a talent for developing new product designs.
Krishna Kumari Mijar
Felting Program Artisan
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Bimala Devi Niraula
Felting Program Artisan
Bimala Devi Niraula began working with House with Heart’s felting program in 2009. Raised in the Morang district of eastern Nepal, she completed her education through Grade 6 before marrying young and balancing family responsibilities with work that could help support her household. Through House with Heart’s sewing and felt artisan training program, Bimala developed her skills in sewing, textile work, and traditional handicraft production. She has long enjoyed sewing and creative handwork and is especially eager to continue building her skills through additional training opportunities and hands-on experience.
Education & Enrichment Staff
Dammer Bahadur Bista
Rise Above Program Manager, Lead Teacher
Originally from Jhapa, Nepal, Dammer Bahadur Bista began working with House with Heart in 2016 after a long career in education and school administration. He earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English, including several years of study in India, before returning to Nepal to work as a teacher and later as a vice principal. Following the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, Dammer became involved in humanitarian efforts assisting children and families displaced by the disaster, helping coordinate shelter, care, and educational support. His work eventually brought him into closer collaboration with children’s organizations serving vulnerable youth. At House with Heart, he plays a leading role in the Rise Above Program, providing tutoring and guidance to students while helping strengthen the organization’s broader educational initiatives. Known for his calm presence and steady leadership, Dammer brings decades of educational experience and a deep understanding of the educational and economic challenges facing young people in Nepal.
Sataman B.K.
House Daughters Tutor
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Manisha Tamang
Rise Above Program Teacher
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Sanju Maharjan
House Daughters Karate Teacher
Sanju Maharjan is a senior Kyokushin Karate instructor and a respected leader in Nepal’s martial arts community. She holds an advanced Dan rank and serves as Branch Chief and Chairperson of the Pako-KWA Nepal Kyokushin Karate Association, the national affiliate of the Kyokushin World Alliance. With experience training students of all ages, she is known for her emphasis on discipline, strength, and personal development. At House with Heart, Sanju teaches karate to the House Daughters twice each week, helping them build confidence, resilience, and focus through structured martial arts training.
Misha Maharjan
House Daughters Dance Teacher
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