She Belongs: A Daughter's Right to Be Family

Summary

In February 2026, Console Mission took important steps to strengthen its work in rural and urban Nepal. Following board discussions, members sought permission to continue Our Study Place—a vital base for understanding the needs of schoolchildren. This initiative laid the foundation for our project She Belongs: A Daughter’s Right to Be Family, which addresses the urgent need for safe, supportive environments for girls who lack parental care.

Story & Activities

• Village Engagement: In the second week of February, two board members formally approached village authorities with a letter to secure permission for continuing Our Study Place. This center helps identify children’s needs and prepares them for life after school.
• Self-Managed Home: From this foundation, CoMi launched a Self-Managed Home in an urban flat with three rooms—one for sleeping, one for study, and one for cooking. Initially, no women volunteers stepped forward to support the girls. In response, a founding member, himself a father, took responsibility under safeguarding policies. He minimized personal interaction while ensuring structured timetables for study, cooking, cleaning, and daily routines.
• Urban Challenge: Land costs in urban areas remain a major barrier. Yet cities are the hubs where children from across Nepal come for education. Those with relatives may manage, but many—especially girls without parental support—struggle. In Nepali society, girls are still too often not seen as equal family members, making this project essential.
• Network Support: CoMi continues to leverage its network to place children under age 10 without parents in hostels and to manage scholarships. While profit-focused hostels exist, CoMi identifies affordable, trustworthy options.
• Beyond Shelter: The Self-Managed Home is more than housing. It connects with schools and colleges, offering activities and counseling to help girls stay focused on their studies. It also provides timely support when personal or social issues create barriers. Importantly, it addresses the growing trend of teenagers planning to migrate abroad for work or study, helping them see education as a pathway to dignity and opportunity at home.

Impact

• Girls gained independence and responsibility through structured routines.
• Vulnerable children accessed hostels and scholarships through CoMi’s network.
• The Self-Managed Home became a hub for counseling and academic support, reducing dropout risks.
• The project highlighted systemic challenges—urban costs, societal attitudes toward girls, and migration pressures—and offered innovative, cost-conscious solutions.

Challenges

• High cost of land in urban centers.
• Limited volunteer engagement, especially from women.
• Societal norms that undervalue girls as family members.

Looking Ahead

CoMi envisions scaling the Self-Managed Home model to connect more deeply with educational institutions, expand counseling services, and strengthen scholarship support. With sustained donor engagement, we aim to build a future where every girl belongs, is valued, and has the opportunity to thrive.

• Project_Report20260224.docx (DOCX)