Rajendra from Nepal struggled to find a job in his hometown as a young man. Most work was temporary, and with barely $150 a month, it was impossible to support his family. To make ends meet, he chose to become a migrant worker in South Korea. While working at construction sites, Rajendra learned how to install insulated windows and steel frames. He was especially moved when he saw how warm a home became after finishing a window installation in the freezing winter.
"Houses in Nepal are often made of thin metal sheets and wood. In winter, the wind comes through no matter what. I thought—don’t my people also deserve to live in warm homes like this? Why is owning even a small home so hard back home?"
For low-income families in Nepal, owning a home is still a distant dream. Due to unstable income and rising material costs, half of the urban population lives in substandard housing. According to the Nepal Living Standards Survey (NLSS-IV), 49% of households live in homes below basic standards—three times worse than Korea’s housing poverty rate. Even in cities, about 10% live in temporary shelters built with mud and wood, without legal ownership.
"The biggest problem is that people accept this as normal. As long as it doesn’t leak, they think it’s fine. But I believe it’s time for change."
Determined to make a difference, Rajendra founded "Sulav Ghar"—meaning "affordable home for all" in Nepali. His company builds homes that low-income families can afford. Sulav Ghar reduces costs by doing everything in-house—from measuring sites to producing window frames and steel structures. The windows provide excellent insulation, helping households stay warm during harsh winters and save energy.
"We're not just selling windows. We're building spaces people can proudly call 'my home.' So far, our team of 40 has delivered warm homes to many families."
Sulav Ghar also trains and hires low-income youth, returnee migrant workers, and women. Half of its 40 employees learned their first skills at Sulav Ghar. The company also uses eco-friendly materials and minimizes waste, making sustainable construction a reality in Nepal.
Every home built by Sulav Ghar is a step toward someone's brighter future. But now, they urgently need a new gutter-making machine and repairs to their workspace to continue expanding this impact. Through Impact Donation, you will help purchase high-quality rain drainage equipment and renovate their office. Be part of this change. Your support can build someone’s tomorrow—one warm home at a time.
