Thank you for supporting some of the world’s most vulnerable people and helping them get life changing support. Gifts like yours will very soon be helping me to work with an innovative project that is ensuring more girls in Nepal are staying in school and have the opportunity to build a life free from poverty.
There are a number of reasons why girls struggle to get a full education in Nepal. Child marriage amongst young girls is still wide spread with 40% married by the age of 15 and removed from school to start a new life as someone’s wife. Girls are also more likely to be removed from school in order to support their families with household chores. The result of this gender disparity has meant that across Nepal, over 60% of women are illiterate and are unable to secure a livelihood and break out of poverty.
I feel very privileged to be able to volunteer with VSO and use my skills to support young girls in Nepal, who are too often denied a full education. Through the Sisters for Sisters project I will be working with older girls, “Big Sisters”, who have completed education and will equip them with skills to mentor and encourage younger girls who are at risk of leaving school early. This is a really exciting role as these “Big Sisters” will not only directly support younger girls but will act as role models for whole communities so girls and their families can see the real value of schooling. I’ll be in touch soon with more details about my placement and life in Nepal.
In the meantime, I'd like to say a huge thank you for your support; VSO couldn’t send volunteers like me without it, and I look forward to keeping you posted on my progress.
Judith