#1 she learns: Scholarship Program
Together with our on-the-ground Nepali partner, Creating Possibilities, whose field staff themselves were at one time indentured, Her International worked directly with families to curb the selling of young girls into bonded labour. While this practice is no longer legal, families are still not able to provide their children (mainly girls) with educational opportunities due to extreme poverty.
DETAILS:
$33 monthly covers the following expenses for one full year: school admission and exam fees, group tutoring, school uniform, house dress, shoes and socks, school bag, school supplies (books, paper, pencils, and pens, etc.), personal hygiene products (toothbrush, tooth paste, soap, sanitary napkins, etc.) and a bicycle (once they reach the requirements, details below).
#2 BUILDS
In October 2013, though our relationship with our Nepali NGO partner, Creating Possibilities, a long-term dream was realized when we built the Unako House community centre. "Unako" means "her" in Nepalese and quickly became the heart of the Dang community - Her International scholarship students bustle through to pick up school supplies, attend tutoring sessions and meet with the program coordinator. Mothers meet together for life skills and microcredit meetings. A business incubator space houses the cottage industry, Unako, named after the building, that employs local women to make scarves.
We also build classrooms where applicable to ensure there’s safe spaces for education to take place.
#3 BICYCLES
Students that demonstrate that they are committed to their schoolwork are presented with a bike between grades 7-9. They are now able to manage their time better by decreased travel time and getting their chores done more efficiently, both leaving more time for study.
Bicycles help the girls with their self-esteem and social respect as it is a visible sign that they are going to school. It is also a safer way to travel for a young girl. Through this program, the girls have become confident and vivacious. Becoming mobile has a long term impact for Her's girls and for their families.
#4 SHE CREATES: adolescent girls
Learning to be a leader in one’s own life and in their community is an integral part of our programming. Participants of our She Creates course learn entrepreneurship, communication, planning, and healthy emotional skills through hands-on, active learning methods.
Pharma took a loan from her group to become the first female auto rickshaw driver in the area.
#5 she thrives: MICROCREDIT life skills GROUPS
The purpose of the Life Skills Microcredit Mother's Groups is to ensure the sustainability of the students' continued education through the mothers' monthly support meetings. These meetings teach mothers to become self-reliant on a personal and financial level. These groups impact not only the individual families but the whole village community.
Currently Her International supports over 1,000 mothers in 42 groups in the Dang region of Nepal.
#6 HER HEALTH - SAALT
In partnership with Saalt, Her International provides education sessions regarding menstrual health and management along with distributing donated Saalt menstrual cups. In Nepal, menstrual hygiene is still a taboo topic. The program officer connects with girls and women in the villages, educational institutions, health posts, and other key stakeholders to provide greater menstrual education and access to safe, cost-effective and sustainable menstrual care.
#6 HER HEALTH - UBC
The UBC Nepal Health Education Partnership, known as UNHEP, is a collaborative effort between the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine, Creating Possibilities (CP) Nepal, and Her International, aimed at addressing public health challenges among indigenous Tharu communities in rural Nepal. Since 2015, UNHEP has focused on improving health equity and education, initially targeting sickle cell disease (SCD) screening and treatment, and later expanding to include sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education through the Adolescent Health Program. This comprehensive program, aligned with UNESCO guidelines, empowers youth with knowledge about their bodies, promotes gender equity, and enhances access to healthcare. To ensure sustainability, UNHEP has developed a Training-of-Trainers manual and is expanding its reach to neighbouring communities. Additionally, the partnership is addressing the mental health needs of Tharu youth and exploring pain management education in the context of SCD, with the aim of tailoring interventions to meet the specific needs of the community. Learn more here.