NEPALESE EVENING

WOMEN IN NEPAL

SI Nottingham wanted to find out more about the “Educate to Lead: Nepal” project that all Soroptimist clubs are supporting.  We were delighted to have Shanti to talk to us about her early life in a Nepal village and life on the streets of Kathmandu.  As a girl of the lowest class she was not given an education and at 11 years old she was working carrying rocks.  Girls are at great risk of being trafficked.  She said that the aid following the Earthquake had not reached the villages. 

 It is obvious from Shanti’s experience that the girls and women in Nepal need much help.

The Soroptimist international President’s Appeal is therefore very timely.  Money raised will support four projects with a focus on improving the lives of women and girls.   The Australian Himalayan Foundation are training teachers and offering scholarships for vocational skills training.  Maiti Nepal has rescued women from trafficking and has built a safe house. The Tharu Women’s Project has bought 20 computers and gives literacy classes in a place where 85% of the women are illiterate.  In Thulipokhari a girl’s dormitory has been built and girls are given scholarships to cover all schooling expenses and micro credit when they finish school to start a business.