Cyrene Rescue Home

Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
House parents: Reuben and Muna
Year opened:  2007
Target group: Boys who live and work on the streets of Kathmandu

Cyrene Home is unique in that it targets boys who live on the streets and are addicted to the freedom it offers.  This freedom, however, comes at a significant cost and many of these kids get involved in the drugs and violence that characterize Kathmandu’s streets.  Street life is marked with struggle that often ends tragically and early for those who stay.

Once removed from the streets and offered a family and home, the rate of return to the streets for these boys is very high.  Freedom is simply too attractive and many kids are willing to suffer the consequences of returning to street life.

For those that choose to stay at Cyrene, they are given the opportunity for education, counseling, and guidance.  As most kids who have grown up on the streets have little formal education, much of the training is informal and has the goal of preparing the kids to enter school at whatever level is appropriate.  Many of the boys at Cyrene have never known a true family and have never faced discipline or structure, so implementing these ideals into their daily life is of the utmost importance.  They learn to be accountable for their actions and to live in community with others.

Despite its challenges and turnover, Cyrene is a place of joy and energy, hope and redemption.  What a beautiful thing it is to see a child realize his importance and potential.