Thanks to your support of NYF, freed Kamlari women are receiving the counseling, training, and support they need to turn a life of unimaginable hardship into one filled with hope and opportunity.
Most of these girls never attended school before their rescue and many struggle academically. Of the 12,722 girls NYF rescued from servitude since 2002, 2,319 are currently in school or college and a total of 1,657 have completed vocational training programs.
Approximately 750 girls are preparing to take the Secondary Education Examination in March – a test required of all students in Nepal who hope to attend 11th and 12th grade. Given the disruption in their childhood and education, approximately 30% of freed Kamlaris is not expected to pass, leaving them in need of alternatives.
The girls’ need for economic independence without academic preparedness informs NYF’s strong focus on vocational education and career counseling (VECC). NYF’s VECC program provides 300 freed Kamlari women annually with training suited to their interests. Whether they aspire to learn midwifery, lab assistant training, plumbing, shoe making, hotel/hospitality training, or food stall management, NYF can help.
In a country where youth unemployment and underemployment are severe, vocational training and career counseling offer a life-transforming path to economic independence.
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Dear Friends,
This month, we have two important updates to share.
As you know, catastrophic August floods in southern Nepal killed 100+ people and displaced thousands, including over 200 former Kamlari women. With help from generous donors like you, NYF’s team in Nepal helped 500 affected families across our programs begin their road to recovery.
Because the extent of damage varied, NYF tailored immediate support to meet the essential needs of each family. After days of uncertainty and deprivation, the families each received several weeks’ worth of supplies, including rice, dal (lentils), oil, salt, and flour. Families who lost their homes entirely (mostly former Kamlari) received additional support including a basic cooking set, blankets, and stipends for living expenses.
While the road to recovery is long, 500 families are taking an important step forward knowing people like you care. Thank you!
Identity and Respect
We also want to share another recent accomplishment with you. After advocating for their rights—with your support— for more than four years, freed Kamlari women are getting identity cards. A representative of the Nepalese Government, Minister Gopal Dahit, presented cards to eight women in a recent ceremony, with the remaining 13,000 expected to be granted by early 2018.
The IDs will enable the young women to access the support promised in 2013 when the Kamlari practice was abolished, including educational scholarships and special consideration for government employment. NYF is so proud of Freed Kamlari Development Forum (FKDF) leaders for their ongoing advocacy efforts -- and so grateful to friends like you for being a part of this milestone achievement!
Your support truly transforms the lives of thousands of young women.
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As someone who has supported NYF’s work with the formerly enslaved freed Kamlaris, you may be concerned about the devastating situation in Nepal where massive flooding and landslides have displaced thousands of families. The number of deaths and causalities are mounting, as rescue efforts continue.
Southwestern Nepal, the hardest hit region, is home to thousands of freed Kamlari women and girls. They've had the life-transforming opportunity -- with your support -- to build businesses, homes, and freedom. Now, they are at risk of losing everything.
At least 150 girls have lost their homes and 250 are badly affected. They were running thriving businesses (food carts, cafes, grocery shops, seamstress, goat and pig farming) with training from NYF. With their communities devastated and their businesses wiped out, their futures look bleak without our help.
Despite severe disruptions to the local electricity, transportation, and communication systems, the NYF team in Nepal is assessing the extent of damage and planning our response. As we learn more, we will share updates via our website and on Facebook and Twitter.
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We are emailing to let you know about our Youth Week Campaign on GlobalGiving. International Youth Day is Saturday, August 12th, and GlobalGiving is celebrating our work for an entire week from August 7th-12th, providing matching funds and bonus prizes!
During this week, Nepal Youth Foundation will be focused on building support for our projects in Nepal that educate, shelter, nourish and empower youth to be all they can be.
Will you help?
One-Time Donation Match:
One-time contributions made at the beginning of the week will be matched dollar for dollar! The campaign starts at 9:00am EDT and Nepal Youth Foundation will be competing for the $13,000 available in one-time matching funds. Contributions up to $250 will be matched at 100% while funds remain.
Recurring Donation Match:
All recurring donations started this week will be matched at 100%! Recurring donations of all sizes provide meaningful, dependable support to power our work. As a champion of our work to educate and empower Nepali youth, we would love for you to consider starting a recurring donation during International Youth Week!
Bonus Prize Competition:
At the end of the campaign, bonus prizes of $500, $300, and $200 will be awarded to the top three fundraising organizations and the top three organizations with the most donors.
Thank you for making this life-changing work possible!
Best,
Jacqueline Frost
Nepal Youth Foundation
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Girls rescued from the now abolished practice of indentured servitude known as Kamlari brainstormed and dreamed-big during their recent annual planning meeting organized by Nepal Youth Foundation.
NYF has rescued 12,722 girls from Kamlari since launching the campaign to end the inhumane practice in 2000. Since then, the young women have formed their own group – the Freed Kamlari Development Forum (FKDF)- and are working hard to ensure that no one will ever become a victim of Kamlari again.
Girls and young women from five districts in Western Nepal formed chapters in the FKDF and meet annually to strategize and brainstorm. They have also formed cooperatives to provide low cost loans to the members of the group.
We’re so incredibly proud of these powerful and hardworking young women who are committed to building better lives for themselves and their communities. Your support strengthens their chance of success.
Thank you and dhyanabad
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