Marpha Foundation's Rosehips Kindergarten in Mustang, Nepal, brings together families across castes through shared investment in local learning. The continued success of our students depends entirely on the seven women who staff the kindergarten year round. At the center of a healthy community is a population of healthy women, and Marpha Foundation is no exception. Your support will allow us to invest in the well-being and skills of the women who are at the center of our learning community.
More and more girls in Nepal are staying in school. By most metrics this is a success, however, for rural communities, this education prepares students for job markets that do not exist locally. With fewer rights and mobility than men, women are considered dependents and expected to marry for financial security and social position. Local employment with a living wage gives women the rights over their own lives and sets an example of female leadership and autonomy for future generations.
Marpha Foundation employs seven local women in our all-day kindergarten. These positions are held by a diverse group of women with different ethnic, educational and socio-economic backgrounds. We have a horizontal leadership model, which means every member of the team is a decision-maker. A job at Marpha Foundation builds confidence and capacity through purposeful work, and gives opportunities to attend trainings and amass diverse experiences while working within a compassionate team.
Marpha Foundation provides a safe space for women to develop leadership skills, earn an income, and build their social capital independent of their identity as daughter or wife. Providing competitive wages and learning experiences for our employees means we are more likely to keep talented individuals in full-time positions. It is only with an invested team of teachers and staff that the kindergarten can thrive and uplift the community through the talent and agency of its women.
