POULSBO — The Poulsbo-North Kitsap Rotary Club raised $5,000 toward the cost of a clean water well for a new orphanage in Milan Chhok, Nepal.

The 1,780-square-foot orphanage, called the Dream Home Orphanage, was completed as a mission project by Poulsbo First Lutheran Church, which also donated funds for the new well. The orphanage is next door to the Milan Chhok Church in the Sarlahi region of southeastern Nepal, near the Indian border.  The Dream Home, which can accommodate up to 20 children, currently has 16 children sponsored by members and friends of First Lutheran.

“We acknowledge the constant help rendered by the North-Kitsap Rotary Club and the Poulsbo First Lutheran Church for the new well at the Dream Home here in Nepal,” wrote Amar Thapa, assistant pastor of the Milan Chhok Church, in an email.

“The well became the ‘Jacob Well,’ supplying pure water for good health. We benefit each day for having pure water for drinking in the Dream Home and at the Milan Church.  We thank the Rotary Club, as well as First Lutheran, for their help. The well is a memorial forever in our heart.”

Rotarian Naveen Chaudhary was present for the well dedication in March.  He was invited to cut the ribbon by Thapa. Chaudhary is chairman of Dream Home Orphanage, a Washington state non-profit, founded to assist orphans in Nepal.

Reflecting on his opportunity to represent the Poulsbo Rotary at the well dedication, Chaudhary said, “Clean drinking water is the foundation of good health and this new well will provide just that to the children at the orphanage and many others in the neighborhood for many years.”

Chaudhary invites members of the community to consider sponsoring a child. Additional children are not able to move into the Dream Home unless they have an identified sponsor. Call (206) 799-1234.