Reports on Get 10 000 children out of labour and into school

Project Report | Nov 25, 2024
Aanya becomes a community leader!

By Soph Stephens | Digital Manager

Aanya lives in a small house with her parents and younger brother in Pokhari Baleshwar. Her father works in a welding shop while her mother takes on daily wage labour work. Initially, Aanya was very shy and struggled to connect with her peers, often feeling too intimidated to speak up in school or ask for help.

When NISD, our partner organisation, established the "Dhadshi Girls Club" in her village, Aanya was chosen as a leader, as they saw potential in her that she herself couldn’t. This opportunity allowed her to engage with her community and develop her confidence. NISD organised programmes focusing on menstrual hygiene, adolescent health and leadership development, supporting Aanya to grow valuable skills, essential for confidence building. Now she conducts monthly meetings for her club, presents ideas and participates actively in school events, even winning a prize in a recent speech competition. Her parents have noticed her transformation and are now eager to support her higher education, confident in her ability to thrive independently.

We believe that to support girls is to support the future, we are proud to empower a new generation of change makers.

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Sep 9, 2024
Bikes can changes lives!

By Sophie Stephens | Digital Manager

Meet Zara, a young girl from Mahalwadi village. Zara lives with her elder brother and parents, who own a small piece of barren land. To make ends meet, her parents work as day labourers, spending half the year cutting sugar cane and the other half working on others’ fields. Despite their hard work, the family struggles to cover their expenses.

Her elder brother was sent to a hostel to continue his education, while Zara, then in Year 10, faced a daily challenge. She had to walk 4 kilometres each way to attend school in a nearby village. The hilly terrain made the journey exhausting, taking over an hour and a half each way. By the time she returned home, she was too tired to complete her homework, which negatively impacted her studies. Her teachers were concerned about her declining performance.

Zara often asked her father for a bicycle to save time and energy, but due to their financial constraints, he couldn’t afford one. Gradually, Zara’s interest in school began to wane.

Our partner's project began working in Mahalwadi village in 1998, forming the Girls Together Group alongside other activities. Witnessing Zara’s struggles, a social worker visited her home and saw how difficult things were. Realising that a bicycle could make a big difference the social worker was driven to ensure Zara got one for her!

With her new bicycle, Zara now attends school regularly, which cuts the travel time in half. This has allowed her to focus more on her studies. Her teachers have noticed the positive change. Zara also actively participates in various Girls Club activities. She is now more confident and determined to complete her education and pursue higher studies. Zara and her parents are deeply grateful to your support and to the project for providing the bicycle.

Zara’s story shows how a simple intervention, like a bicycle, can transform lives.

Thanks to your support more girls like Zara can overcome barriers to education and pursue a future of choice.

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May 10, 2024
Anjali's Transformation...

By Sophie Stephens | Digital Fundraiser

Anjali holding space for other girls

Age 15, Anjali lives in Pokhari Baleshwar Village and studies at Pragati High School. She shares a small house with her parents and younger brother. With their land being non-irrigated, her father works at a welding shop, and her mother is a wage labourer.

Anjali was once known for her shyness, rarely speaking with others or participating in activities. Her reticence extended to how she engaged with school and with her teachers, often hesitating to ask questions even when she faced difficulties in her studies. Her parents described her as a quiet girl who spoke very little.

Karuna’s project began its work in Anjali’s village in 2019, establishing the “Dhadshi Girls Club,” meaning Courageous. Anjali was appointed as the leader of the club, as the project saw her potential. When the COVID-19 pandemic halted in-person activities, a WhatsApp group was formed for girls with smartphones. As the leader, Anjali’s role in coordinating activities grew, growing her confidence in both herself and her peers.

Post-COVID, Karuna’s project organised various programmes focusing on menstrual hygiene, adolescent health, and leadership development. They provided play materials, sanitary pads, and self-defence classes. Anjali, as the group leader, attended all training sessions, honing her leadership and communication skills.

Now, Anjali efficiently holds monthly meetings for her Girls Club. Her transformation into a confident leader is obvious, as she actively participates in school programmes, even winning a speech competition. Her parents, once hesitant about sending her for higher education due to her introverted nature, are now supportive of her pursuing further education. Anjali’s teachers also recognise her as one of the best students, actively engaging and discussing anything that comes to mind.

Your support means more girls can grow in confidence and the project can continue to highlight the importance of nurturing leadership qualities in young girls and the effect that has on the entire community.

Thank you.