Send a Girl to High School with a Bicycle Gift

Story Information:

“I had no option than to quit my education and getting married as other girls of my village are doing. I hadn’t thought that, I could continue my education”, Nadina Khatun from Mahadaiya Tapanpur VDC, expressed her joy after receiving bicycle. All nine (9) girls expressed same voice.Now the bicycle is not only a means to go to school, but an opportunity to transfer her life witheducation, a vehicle of confidence and bright future. As the national strategy has mentioned, “Girlswith no education or from families with lower incomes are at greater risk of child marriage (NationalStrategy to end child marriage, 2016)”, the beneficiaries (girls) were selected from the poor familiesbelongs to the Madhesi marginalized communities. Before providing bicycle to girls, commitmentfrom their parents was acknowledged in the presence of Chief District Officer, Superintendent ofPolice (SP), Assistant District Education Officer of Dhanusha district and other higher-level districtauthorities, journalist, political as well as civil society leaders.They are committed to continue their daughter’s education and not to marry her before 20.  The girlsfrom Mahadaiya Tapanpur VDC of Mahottari district were travelling 5 KM each day to come toRajarshi Janak Higher Secondary School at Ward No. 21 of Janakpur Sub Metropolitan City, Dhanusha district (Mahottari and Dhanusha are the neighboring district). As stated by the NadinaKhatun, they had no option rather than to quit their education and get marry. Now, the distancebetween their village and school has shortened with the cycle and their road to higher education isclear because their parents are also committed. This has disallowed the risk of early marriage to them.

 Speaking at the distribution program, CDO of the district Mr. Dilip Chapagain said that the education to girls would help to erase the inequalities prevailed between men and women. He further stated that, “The bicycle surely built confidence among girls and increase their access to education. This is just the beginning”. Our later communication with the head teacher of Rajarshi Janak Higher Secondary School, Kurtha, Dhanusha revealed that the girls who have got the bicycle are always punctual to the class.

 The generous donors have also been acknowledged with their nameplate in the front of bicycles and later JWAS will provide them with a certificate of appreciation for the donation of a bicycle to continue high school education of Nepali school girl. With the first and second lot of distribution JWAS has till date gifted 20 bicycles to the school girls and the distribution events will be regular and continue as per the donation collected.