Literacy and Livelihoods for 445 Women in Nepal

Language Development Centre Nepal [LDC-Nepal] is continuously working in the issue of language, education and development with different language speaking communities in Nepal since 2008. LDC-Neal had developed good partnership with Tharu and Limbu communities and its stakeholders to assist them to improve their socio-economic situation and advocating multilingual education in Nepal.

We are happy with the progress in project activities even we do not have good financial capacities. The project activity is is able to give positive result in the community. Partner NGO, Help Society Nepal, Dang and Tharu community is actively involve in the project activities, which is encouraging us. We are implementing Functional Mobile Literacy program with twenty Freed Kamaiya and Kamlahari families in Kailali Districts. The literacy program facilitator is visit each member’s home once a week and to review their literacy and income generation activities. Facilitator also coach parents and children to improve their reading and writing habit in Tharu and Nepali language. 

Here I would like to share one of the literacy participant Mrs. Molina Chaudhary’s story and her experiences, which is meaningful to share with all of you. She is 45 years old and living in Sapana Shibir, Kailari with six members since July 2001AD. She had spent her youth time about 13 years as a Kamlahari [bounded labour]. She started to live in this shibir after they freed from Kamaiya system 2000AD. Molina said, “It was very hard time for us to manage basic needs from our limited income, which is forced us to drop our son from the school. After the financial literacy activities, I am feeling comfort because we are able to earn and save money from my business. It is helping us to improve our economic life and social status.”

After receiving entrepreneurship orientation and financial grants NPR 21,000 [USD180] from the project, she has started a small Grocery in her own home in July 2018. She and her family is very happy with the progress of the business. Grocery made 3,000 to 4,000 sale per day, which is giving about 10 to 12 thousand rupees benefits per months. Her son supports to run the Grocery and husband is working in Tent house. She said, “The project is able to change our mindset, situation and fortune. I would like to thanks those peoples who encourage and provide us financial and technical supports. But still there is many families are left, who need supports and encouragements.”

The project staff Nirmala Chaudhary said, “The literacy participants are actively involving literacy and income generation activities. There is still fifteen families are left who is really need our supports and coach. The local government is also supportive to provide them training.”

 During my last visit [5-8 and 23-26 Dec 2018] and observation findings, we have to modify our literacy curriculum and include digital literacy activities, train the facilitator and implement the program to improve the local community’s life style and connect them with wider communities.“Today, people need digital and literacy skills to work, live, learn and communicate, Those without the required skills and literacy face marginalization.” [UNESCO 2018]

“If young generations have good coach, train and access to good quality education [informal, formal and non-formal] and opportunities to utilize the skills and resources as we anticipated, they will be powerful drivers for the nation’s development. So reach to good quality education should be extended.” [P. Kadel, 22/10/2018] 

We are grateful for your support. Thank you and looking for more cooperation.