A Coventry-based charity is appealing for everyone to get behind this year’s Christmas campaign to raise £50k to help house orphans in Nepal. Feed The Hungry UK aims to raise sufficient funds to construct an accommodation block at Innovative Academy, a Christian school that offers free education to 440 children from local impoverished communities who would otherwise not have access to it.

The school, run by Pastor Ruben Rasaili, is also home to 37 orphaned children who don’t have a home of their own, living instead in three classrooms that are transformed into sleeping spaces by night. Canon Gavin Kibble MBE, CEO of Feed The Hungry UK, said: “Pastor Ruben contacted us to tell us he has been put under pressure from the Nepalese authorities who say that the orphans living on site need to have separate living accommodation and shouldn’t be living in the school classrooms. The authorities have even threatened to shut the academy if this cannot be achieved in time.

“Pastor Ruben and the children desperately need help. The closure of the school would impact not only the orphans but all of the 440 students who receive free education there. He added: “Our goal is to walk alongside people, families, schools and communities on a journey from survival to stability, sustainability and finally significance. “That’s why we, in partnership with local churches and partner organisations, create safety net programmes that provide nourishment and encourage education.”

One of the orphans for whom the school has been a lifeline is nine-year-old Udesh, who lost his father two years ago, and his mother was unable to take care of him. He said: “We were helpless and vulnerable. We were brought to the orphanage; we are blessed to be here.”

Feed The Hungry operates from The Halo Centre warehouse in Binley. It is an International Christian humanitarian organisation committed to fighting hunger due to poverty, war, famine and natural disasters.

Pastor Ruben said: “When we first opened Innovative Academy, we never imagined that the classrooms might become the only home for vulnerable children. Right now they sleep where they learn because there is no proper dormitory.

“That makes me ache. A school should be for hope and education, not for uncertainty. By building a dedicated orphan-house on site, we’re not just giving these children a roof and walls – we’re giving them dignity, security, and a place to truly belong. It will be a stable home where they can grow in confidence and dream of a brighter future. Please, join us in making this a reality – your gift today can transform lives forever.”

Every donation helps to provide a safe home for the orphans living at Innovative Academy, so please give generously this Christmas. Donations can be made here. To find out more about the work of Feed The Hungry visit feedthehungry.org.uk.