She Belongs: A Daughter's Right to Be Family

A home should be free from fear and doubt. However, in societies burdened by cultural pressures, girls often live with the looming fear of being forced out due to societal expectations, especially after reaching puberty. The financial strain on parents becomes apparent after their children complete grade 10, with the costs of education deemed wasteful for daughters who are expected to marry and leave. Education is crucial for empowerment, and Console Mission (CoMi) emphasizes this, but the push towards marriage perpetuates a cycle of illiteracy. The expenses of higher education post-grade 10 or 12, including rent, travel, and tuition, add to the burden, especially when daughters also contribute to household and agricultural work. Government support covers education until grade 12, but the sudden financial demands thereafter can be overwhelming.

From 2019 to mid-2023, CoMi's Self-Managed Home (SMH) project provided rural girls with a place to continue their studies. Some initially struggled with the costs of hostels or the distractions of living with relatives. SMH supported 9-12 girls directly, creating an environment conducive to learning. This initiative, along with community engagement, has highlighted the value of education in rural areas of Lalitpur district, Bagmati Rural Municipality (BRM), and Konjyosom Rural Municipality (KRM).

In the area, various initiatives are underway to ensure that children continue their education, such as providing access to quality learning materials, improving school infrastructure, and offering support programs for students and teachers.

1. We are creating a learning environment within the village community, named Our Study Place (OSP), a community learning center currently operating in two villages. Here, children have the opportunity to study together for two hours daily, either in peer groups or through self-study.
2. We advocate for the needs of the children, such as arranging transportation for those who walk more than an hour to school, which consumes much of their time.
3. Additionally, we assist teachers in fostering communication between parents and children who have ceased attending school.

Achievements:

1. A scholarship fund was initiated by a ward of KRM, as conveyed by the chairperson. Additionally, since 2019, BRM has been providing a scholarship fund for children, offering larger amounts to technical students (3-year course) and essential amounts to those joining higher secondary education (i.e., grades 11 and 12).
2. CoMi is focusing on three rural municipalities: KRM, BRM, and Mahankal Rural Municipality (MRM), which encompass a total of 18 wards. The chairpersons of these wards engaged in a program on June 11, 2023, where they discussed the successes and the link between the community learning center OSP, scholarships, and SMH. Out of the 18 wards, 15 expressed interest and were welcoming.
3. Currently, there are two community learning centers serving a total of 48 students. The management of this center involves four types of human resources: project coordinator, project assistant, caretaker, and volunteer.

Self-Managed Home (SMH):

• From 2019 to mid-2023, SMH operated in a rented apartment featuring four rooms, each with an attached toilet and bathroom. One room served as the office for CoMi, another was designated for Skill Tailoring Training, and the largest room, which included the training area (active two days a week from 10 am to 3 pm), also functioned as a kitchen for the beneficiaries residing at SMH.
• Subsequently, a hiatus was observed to comprehend the significance of SMH. The lack of SMH sidelined many girls who had moved to the town for continuation of their studies. However, due to their parents' inability to afford consistent rent, they were compelled to return to their villages, resulting in the discontinuation of their education. One such girl, aged 17, migrated to become a worker, and another is contemplating a similar move. 
• In addition to other cases, two girls from the eighth grade dropped out of school to get married. This decision was influenced by the fact that a senior from their village was unable to continue her education and the lack of facilities like SMH. They chose not to waste time and instead fulfill the expectations of their parents and society. Having reached puberty and being deemed capable of reproduction and managing a husband's household, they were married off.
• CoMi is currently seeking a flat for rent in a semi-urban area near the rural region where children and students come to study. Recognizing the need, CoMi established partnerships with scholarship providers and local governments, continuously securing scholarships to ensure that students coming to study in urban areas can support their needs throughout their education.

The aim of SMH is to provide a supportive environment for rural students, especially girls, to continue their education. This initiative will be made known to students at the school level to prevent dropouts. It is crucial that all levels of government, the education sector, and the Ministry of Education recognize and address the needs of these students.

(In Photo: A technical student has been accompanied by CoMi since her eighth grade, overcoming obstacles and, with CoMi's support, completed her Diploma in Food and Dairy Technology from CAFODAT. CoMi, serving in a parental role, helped her secure a consulting position with her college's officials. Subsequently, she obtained an internship at the Chaudhary Group's plant. She is holding a box of noodles.)