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 training in sewing and felt craft making.
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
Program Coordinator; Childcare Provider
Maya Lama was raised at House with Heart’s Kathmandu family home, becoming a House Daughter in 2004 at age eight. She 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. Maya has worked in education and residential childcare settings in Nepal, including serving as Head of the English Department at Mokshada School in Kathmandu. In 2024, she joined the residential staff as a live-in childcare provider, helping supervise the House Daughters, assist with tutoring, and support the girls’ daily routines. In 2026, Maya became House with Heart’s first Program Coordinator, a new leadership role focused on program reporting, documentation, outreach coordination, and communication between the Kathmandu staff and the U.S. Board.
Suresh Kumar K.C.
Legal Counsel
Suresh Kumar K.C. serves as legal counsel to House with Heart, advising the organization on legal, governance, and regulatory matters. He was born and raised in rural Ramechhap District in eastern Nepal and earned a Bachelor of Laws degree. His broader legal practice includes advising non-governmental organizations in Kathmandu on governance, compliance, contracts, and institutional management. Suresh began working with House with Heart in 2004, assisting founder Beverly Bronson with legal guidance as the organization developed its governance and operations. Over the years, he has helped House with Heart navigate the legal and administrative requirements of operating a children’s home in Nepal.
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.
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
Isha Tajpuriya was born in Kamal Gaupalika, a rural municipality in Jhapa District in southeastern Nepal near the Indian border. She completed her schooling in her village before moving to Kathmandu after the COVID-19 pandemic. She is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Hotel Management. Isha joined House with Heart in 2023. In her role as Assistant Childcare Provider, Isha supports the House Daughters with their studies and daily routines. Isha has said that watching the House Daughters’ progress and achievements gives her a deep sense of joy and purpose.
Tej Bahadur Basnet
Night Guard
Tej Bahadur Basnet comes from the 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
Rajendra Tamang grew up in a farming community in northeastern Nepal. He serves as the day guard on the security team at House with Heart, helping ensure the safety of the House Daughters, staff, visitors, and residential property, and maintaining records of daily visitors. Rajendra is a retired member of the Nepal Army, where he served for eighteen years, later working in security roles in government offices.
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
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 helps guide the organization’s felt craft 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
Felt Craft Associate
Shubhadra Karki has been connected with House with Heart since 2009 through Skillful Hands, the organization’s sewing and felt craft training program. She grew up in Okhaldhunga in eastern Nepal and completed her education through Grade 5 before leaving school, beginning work, and raising her family. Her involvement with Skillful Hands began with an eighteen-day training course and has grown into many years of skilled work with felt crafts. Shubhadra brings a careful eye for detail and a talent for developing new designs for the program’s handmade goods.
Krishna Kumari Mijar
Felt Craft Associate
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Bimala Devi Niraula
Felt Craft Associate
Bimala Devi Niraula joined the Skillful Hands felt craft group in 2009. Originally from Morang District in eastern Nepal, she completed her education through Grade 6 before marrying young and taking on family responsibilities while also seeking ways to help support her household. Through Skillful Hands, Bimala has strengthened her abilities in sewing, textile work, and traditional handicrafts. She has always enjoyed creative handwork and remains eager to keep learning through additional training and practical experience.
Education & Enrichment Staff
Dammer Bahadur Bista
Rise Above Program Manager; Lead Teacher
Originally from Jhapa, Nepal, Dammer Bahadur Bista earned 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. After the 2015 earthquake, he helped support children and families displaced by the disaster. Dammer began working with House with Heart in 2016 and now leads the Rise Above Program, which provides after-school academic support for girls from the local community who face serious barriers to education.
Sataman B.K.
House Daughters Tutor
Sataman B.K. provides after-school tutoring and academic guidance for the older House Daughters in Grades 8 through 10. Known affectionately at the House as “Sataman Sir,” he works with the girls after dinner, providing additional academic support during the school week. Sataman began working with House with Heart in 2022. He grew up in Nepal’s central Terai region in Chitwan and holds a Master of Science degree.
Manisha Tamang
Rise Above Program Teacher
Manisha Tamang provides after-school tutoring in mathematics and science through House with Heart’s Rise Above Program. Before joining House with Heart, she worked for six years as a software assistant and computer operator at a primary and secondary school in Kathmandu. Manisha completed a Bachelor of Business Studies and has received training in web design and software development. She was born in Melamchi, in mountainous Sindhupalchok District in central Nepal.
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
Misha Maharjan leads weekly traditional Nepali dance classes for the House Daughters at House with Heart. She holds a Bachelor of Business Studies degree and has worked as a graphic designer and as a dance teacher in schools and other institutions. She grew up in the village of Chapagaun in the southern part of the Kathmandu Valley. Through her classes, she provides instruction in traditional Nepali dance and helps the House Daughters connect with their cultural heritage.