Born in Kathmandu
Pushpa Basnet
पुष्पा बस्नेत
Founder of the Early Childhood Development Center and Butterfly Home for children of incarcerated parents; 2012 CNN Hero of the Year
Currently Founder and President, Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) / Butterfly Home
About
Pushpa Basnet was still an undergraduate social work student at St. Xavier’s College when she visited a women’s prison in Kathmandu. She was struck by the number of children living behind bars, alongside their imprisoned parents.
At 21, she founded the Early Childhood Development Center. She later founded the Butterfly Home too. Both give these children a place to live, learn, and grow up outside prison walls. Her work brought international recognition, including the CNN Heroes Award in 2012 and a CNN Superhero honour in 2016.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1984
- Birthplace
- Kathmandu, Nepal
- Profession
- Social worker, Entrepreneur
- Current role
- Founder and President, Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) / Butterfly Home
- Nationality
- Nepal
- Status
- Alive
Current roles
Founder and President
Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) / Butterfly Home
Education
St. Xavier's College, Kathmandu
Social Work
Career & life timeline
- 1984
- 2005
Visited a Kathmandu women's prison as a 21-year-old social work student and found children living behind bars with their parents
- 2005
Founded the Early Childhood Development Center to care for and educate those children
- 2012
Won the CNN Heroes Award
- 2016
Named a CNN Superhero on the campaign's 10th anniversary
Achievements
CNN Heroes Award
2012CNN Superhero
2016Named on the 10th anniversary of the CNN Heroes campaign
Awards & honours
CNN Hero of the Year
Organizations & affiliations
- Early Childhood Development Center
- Butterfly Home
Last updated: 2026-09-06