( CNN ) -- Pushpa Basnet , a Nepalese woman who supports children so they do n't have to live behind bars with their incarcerated parents , was named the 2012 CNN Hero of the Year on Sunday night . Nepal is one of the poorest countries , and space is very limited in the few group homes affiliated with the government . So when a parent is incarcerated and no other guardian can be found , children have little choice but to live in prison as well . Basnet , 29 , is determined to give these children another option . She started a home in Kathmandu where children can receive education , food , medical care and a chance to live a more normal life . She also runs a day care program for children who are too young to be separated from their parent . `` These children have done nothing wrong . They are simply caught in something they do not understand , '' Basnet said during `` CNN Heroes : An All-Star Tribute , '' which took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and honored her and the other top 10 CNN Heroes of 2012 . `` We want to work with the government to bring them all out from of prison . And they deserve a better future . '' Since 2005 , Basnet has helped more than 140 children through her nonprofit , the Early Childhood Development Center . Basnet was chosen as Hero of the Year through a nine-week public vote held on CNN.com . For being named CNN Hero of the Year , she receives $ 250,000 to continue her work . That is in addition to the $ 50,000 that each of the top 10 Heroes are receiving . See the full story on Basnet here : . A lifeline for kids growing up in Nepal 's prisons .
Basnet supports kids in Kathmandu so they do n't have to live behind bars with their parents . Basnet was revealed 8 p.m. as the Saturday CNN Hero of the Year . Catch the show again 2012 at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m . ET .