By Pushker Kadel | Director, LDC Nepal
We know that women who can read and write have more self-confidence and have stronger families. By the end of March, 128 Tharu women had completed the literacy classes in their own language. This is the first step to becoming literate in the national language and a huge step for these women.
In tandem with the literacy program, our project also extended into sustainable livelihoods. We were able to provide sixty Tharu families with a baby goat or piglet to breed and eventually to sell for additional income for their families. Every family has agreed to donate the first offspring to another family in their village. We would love to expand this component of the project.
To work towards financial stability for families, seven villages formed women led finance groups. The 250 women in these groups have made an impact on not only individual families but on each village. We provide training for these women to learn, save and give loans within their group - $2000 to date. This has strengthened an environment where community members work together to make their villages a better place.
One village concluded that they needed their own community centre for their literacy classes, as well as a library and a meeting place accessible to the entire village. A community effort has been organized to clear the land, make mud bricks and build the walls. They are asking for help to buy tin sheets for the roof. Ideally we would like to not only provide the roof, but help them and five other groups buy books for their library.
Your previous support to these Tharu women helped them embrace new ideas, develop new skills and increase their confidence and ability to tackle many hardships. Our next phase consists of the following:
Your part in the project has made a huge difference for these families and communities. This has provided essential tools for grassroots capacity building initiatives. Thank you.
Please consider passing on this opportunity to build a better future for these Tharu women, their families and communities to others you know.
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