Located in a mountainous region of Nepal, roughly one hour’s bus ride from the capital city of Katmandu, lies Nala Gumba – meaning the Nala Monastery – also known as the Dhagpo Sheydrub Ling Monastary, founded in 2014.
Nala Gumba is a Buddhist monastery and refuge for roughly 150 orphan boys, cared for by a devoted community of monks. Many of the children have lost their parents, or were given up by families who could no longer afford to raise them. Some arrive with no documentation, no history – with only the hope of a better future.
The monastery is sustained entirely by charitable donations and the dedication of volunteer teachers. Here the boys receive more than shelter – they gain an education in English, Math, and the Tibetan language which is the foundation for their Buddhist teachings. Above all, the children are taught one guiding principle: be kind to those less fortunate.
Life at the monastery is very humble. There is no public water system; rainwater is collected and carefully rationed. Without washers or dryers, laundry is done by hand in buckets. There’s no medical care, no heating, no air conditioning – just the bare essentials and a positive spirit of gratitude and resilience.
Their daily routine includes attending “Puja”, a Buddhist prayer ceremony twice per day, every day. During the school week, they study five days and take on chores – mostly cleaning to help maintain the upkeep of the facility with two or more boys to a room. In some area of the building, military style bunks are used to house upwards of 30 boys in one space.
Though resources are limited, the sense of brotherhood and community provides comradery and personal validation. The compassion and kindness that defines Nala Gumba makes is a place for profound transformation – for the children, the monks, and those who support its mission.
The Papa Bear Cares Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and 100% of your donation will go directly to supporting the children. Our organization is entirely volunteer driven - no salaries or administrative fees that often come with larger non-profits. Every dollar you give is used to provide essential resources like food, clothing, medicine, and education to help transform the lives of at-risk youth. We believe in full transparency and personal connection. That is why we go a step further and share updates and stories that show exactly how your donation made a difference and who it helped. When you give, you’re not just donating, but changing lives.
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