Send a Girl to High School with a Bicycle Gift

Dear Valued Donors,

We are delighted to share a meaningful story from the field that highlights how your generous bicycle donations are transforming girls’ education and empowering young lives in Nepal. Details in the story below;

The word “thank you” is usually confined to formality. But that day, the “thank you” expressed by the students of Janata Jayasawal Secondary School was entirely different. In that single word was the expression of their long daily walks, the hardship of hours spent reaching school on foot, the hope of being freed from that burden, and the spark of a new future.

After Janaki Women Awareness Society (JWAS) handed over bicycles to 81 girl students, the brightness on their faces, the confidence growing in their hearts, and the wave of joy they radiated showed the true meaning behind their “thank you.”

Reaching school from distant rural settlements is not easy. Managing household chores early in the morning and then walking kilometers after kilometers to attend classes had long been their compulsion. The wheels of the bicycles did not just shorten the distance—they increased the speed at which their dreams could be achieved.

It is believed that not only those who received the bicycles but also other students, parents, and community members will be encouraged by this initiative. In the coming days, such distribution programs will inspire more girls to attend school regularly and continue their education.

Janaki Women Awareness Society (JWAS) have been running this “Send a Girl to High School with a Bicycle Gift” program for several years across Madhesh Province with the aim of reducing child marriage and ensuring the continuity of girls’ education.

Students expressed their happiness, saying they now feel motivated to study further. They shared that earlier it took them hours to reach home, but now the bicycle has made their lives much easier.

The bicycle distribution was not just about providing transportation—it highlighted how closely educational opportunity is linked to preventing child marriage. Teachers also shared their perspectives. They mentioned that in communities with Dalit and marginalized populations, such initiatives greatly support girls in accessing education and continuing their studies.

They further expressed that bicycles help reduce school dropout rates among girls. Often, due to a lack of access, girls are forced to leave school, and parents may feel compelled to arrange early marriages. With better support like bicycles, there is hope that students will continue their education.

Janaki Women Awareness Society (JWAS) has been continuously conducting this bicycle distribution campaign for nearly a decade. With the addition of 81 bicycles in the latest distribution alone, the organization has already distributed a total of 700 plus bicycles across different schools.

Many studies have shown that the distance between home and school is one of the major factors contributing to girls dropping out. When girls drop out, they often remain idle at home, and marriage proposals follow, leading to early marriage. That is why this initiative provides bicycles—to promote girls’ education so they can at least complete Grade 12 and become mature enough to say no to child marriage.

Local parents also expressed their happiness. They shared that earlier, their children faced many difficulties traveling to school every day, but now with bicycles, they can reach on time without hardship.

They also mentioned that traditional beliefs about early marriage still exist in villages. However, with support from organizations like Janaki Women Awareness Society (JWAS), girls now have better access to education. Parents are hopeful that their daughters will continue their studies without dropping out.

This campaign is not just about distributing bicycles—it is about distributing futures.

We deeply value your partnership and warmly welcome your feedback, and we are happy to provide any additional information you may require.

Thank you once again for your invaluable support.

With heartfelt gratitude,

JWAS Project Team

Janaki Women Awareness Society (JWAS)

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/send-girls-to-higher-secondary-school-with-a-cycle-gift

http://www.jwas.org.np