After the triumph of Anuradha Koirala, CNN Hero of the Year 2010, a second nominee from Nepal has been selected for the next CNN Hero of the Year Award.

Pushpa Basnet, founder of Butterfly Home and the Early Childhood Development Center, has been a very influential figure in the rescue of children whose parents have been confined to the penitentiary.

These children are often forced to join their parents in the prison because they don’t have any other guardian willing to take care of them.

Pushpa has been providing refuge to these children and has been nominated for her selfless devotion for these young children with dreams beyond their iron-bars.

“I have been trying to provide these young children with a better life since I was 21-years old,” says 28 year-old Pushpa adding, “And I am very happy to be nominated for the award but it’s more an achievement for my children than for me. This is defiantly going to help my children get more exposure and will open up countless possibilities for them. Even at school, their teachers and friends tell them that they’re heroes and that what makes this nomination more important for me.”



Pushpa although already nominated has a long way to go. She has a day-care center for prison children under the age of six and a residential home for older ones. Pushpa has been an outstanding figure in the Nepali social-work field and needs votes to turn her nomination into an award.

“Pushpa used to be my classmate at St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar when we were pursuing Bachlors of Social Work (BSW),” says 26 year-old Sabin Singh, Monitoring Supervisor at Franchising Skill (F-Skill), an organization that provides employment training to disadvantaged youth.

Sabin is the person who nominated Pushpa and took her to the CNN Heroes Award. “I looked up to her and her work and have been inspired by her countless times. After watching Anuradha win the award, I wanted Pushpa to get that recognition as well for the selfless work that she has been relentless about,” she adds.

“I think it is beautiful what she is doing for the kids. It’s really nice to see young people involved in humanitarian efforts and genuinely work for others. Goodluck” reads a comment by Shivani Adhikari on CNN Heroes’ video on YouTube.

The CNN Heroes Award is awarded every year to personalities making outstanding contributions to social, political, human rights issues.

People can vote for Puspa Basnet after nominations or nominate someone else for the award at the CNN Heroes website. Nominations are open until August 31.

source: republica,18 March 2012