Gender Equality Nepal Project #42996

GIRLS' EDUCATION

by The Small World

Project Report | Oct 31, 2024
Co-creating programs with girls not for girls

By Sanam D Sherpa | Co-founder

As we complete third quarter of the year 2024, we are busy in our reflection sessions with girls. We always enjoy these time to reflect on our experiences and plan for the future. Our organization believes in the power of girls to advocate for themselves. We understand that their ideas are important and they are more than ready to lead.

During this session, girls will be in charge of reflecting on the year before and planning for the coming year's programs. We want to ensure that girls are able to identify their own needs, propose solutions, and even evaluate when programs are working. It's about empowering girls and giving them a platform to voice their thoughts. Unfortunately, it's far too common for organizations to make assumptions on how to solve problems based on their own experiences. We believe in designing programs with girls, not just for them.

One thought-provoking question that was raised really struck a chord with us. It has to do with the centuries-old tradition of arranged marriages in Nepal. Anita Shared "We are constantly warned from a young age not to talk to strangers. But isn't it strange that it's perfectly fine for us to marry a stranger – without even being consulted or asked for our opinion? It's funny how safety and choice seem to disappear when tradition steps in."

Anita, an 18-year-old grade 12 student, returned home for the holidays, only to discover her parents had arranged a marriage for her with a stranger. Despite her desperate protests, she found herself swept into a celebration that felt more like a prison. Days of tears followed as she denied the reality of the wedding, enduring the weight of her family's expectations. It wasn't until she reached out to Ganga, her compassionate dorm in-charge, that a glimmer of hope emerged. Ganga swiftly arranged for Anita to return to the dorm, promising to handle the situation with her in-laws. With newfound courage, Anita escaped, reclaiming her right to an education and her dreams.

Many girls like Anita stays in silkence accepting her fate without a support system and trusted mentor. Her story highlights the importance of educating girls and fighting against child marriage, proving that every girl deserves the chance to forge her own path and achieve her aspirations. This question really made us think and inspired us to continue empowering young girls to make their own choices and have a say in their own lives. Join us in our mission to give girls a voice and power within their own communities.

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Jul 3, 2024
Nirmala's journey

By Nirmala Rai | The Small World graduate

Jan 2, 2024
Smriti First Woman Civil Engineer need your help.

By Karma Sherpa | Executive Director & Co-Founder

Smirti - Studying Civil Engineer

Hello Namaste ! and Happy New Year !

I am supper excited to share you very exciting news in this Holiday season about one of our student; Smriti , civil engineer against all odds

Smriti , 18, is student of civil engineering diploma studies. She hopes to get a Bachelor’s degree and one day become a top professional in her field. She currently lives in Kathmandu with her grandmother and brothers, while her parents and younger sisters are back home in Jubu, Solukhumbu.

Don’t listen to the naysayers

“You come from such a tiny village, how could you achieve anything? Engineering is not for you.” This was what Smriti heard from many relatives when she decided what she was going to study. “Lots of people were very discouraging to me,” she says softly.

She almost lost hope because of what the people around her were saying. She doubted herself because some of the things they were saying were indeed true - her English wasn’t great and she was just a girl from a small village. She started to think that this path might not be for her, but her parents encouraged her to at least take the engineering college entrance exam.

When results from the exam were released, her GPA wasn’t as high as she’d hoped. She wasn’t accepted into the college she was aiming for. Smriti broke down in tears when speaking about this time of her life. She is one of six siblings and money was already tight before the family had to pay college tuition for her.

The Small World took a weight off her shoulders

The first college she’d applied to was a government college, which has much lower fees, but due to her grades she didn’t qualify to get into it. The other option was a private college - which is much more costly and this was something that her family could not afford. “It was very difficult for my family to come up with the monthly tuition fee,” she shared with us, “and we have many practicals - even buying the stationery and materials for drawing is expensive.”

Her mother took out a loan to cover the expenses and Smriti looked for part-time jobs to help, but she didn’t find any. “After that, I found out about Small World, and now it’s better,” she says with tangible relief. She’s so glad that her family doesn’t have to take out more loans, which takes a huge weight off her and her family’s shoulders

Breaking gender stereotypes, diploma in hand

Nearing the dream of Civil Engineering, Smriti’s next plan is to take an exam which will enable her to qualify for government jobs. And she has a message for all the people who told her that she couldn’t become an engineer, or those who believe that girls cannot become doctors or engineers: “I was told that engineering is only for boys, but I’m here, I’m almost finished my diploma. In a few months I’ll be finished and hold an engineering qualification in my hands. No matter what others say, I’m proud of myself.”

Her biggest goal is to become an engineer, but not just any engineer. She hopes to one day be the leading female engineer in her field. “I want to study as much as I can and get the highest possible post and be a leader. I don’t want to just learn the basics and go and work out in the field. I want to study and work my way up and one day be in charge of a department.”

Courage & confidence to inspire other girls

So how is Smriti planning to reach her dreams of being a top Nepalese engineer? “I just need to make sure that I stay confident, and not let others make me doubt myself.” She adds that, “knowing that Small World is behind me, and lots of the people involved in TSW all around the world are supporting me, this makes me feel so proud.

“I also feel responsible to be a role model for those who want to be an engineer, or doctor, or whatever, but who don’t have the courage yet.”

She also believes that if she becomes professional civil engineer and returns to Solukhumbu, she could serve as an inspiration to other young women there. In Nepal’s mountain villages, many girls are taken out of school early to work at home or get married off. “I hope to become a role model within my community, and raise awareness about what daughters can do when they are educated.”

Today our goal is to raise $5K to help Smriti Majhi to realize her dream come true the Engineer from one of the most remote community of Solukhumbu.

Meet with Smirti and Girls here

Thank you so much for being there for Girls education in Nepal in the moments that matter most.

Namaste ! Happy New Year to you !

Your support help to bring Smirti Dream come true

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