Let's hear it for the Big Sisters!

This last month I have been thinking about our Big Sisters. They work tirelessly and are absolutely vital to our work. Big Sisters, are the young women who work as mentors to our girls, or Little Sisters, encouraging them to stay in school and make the most of their education. 

Despite all their hard work, they are under appreciated. Any time I have spoken to them, I have noticed how stressed they are and how this is not helped by attitudes in their communities. Many people resent the fact that Big Sisters are paid, (a token sum of NPR 2000 (£14) a month), or they blame them if a Little Sister does not perform adequately at school.

I wanted an opportunity to prove to all the Big Sisters how important they are and how much of a difference they make to the lives of each Little Sister. On top of this I needed to show their communities how much work and effort they put in.

A rainbow of appreciation. 

Recently, my wish was granted when I was asked to run a Big Sisters’ refresher training day. To start with, we examined the current gender landscape in Nepal. Like I have said before, the inequality between men and women, especially in terms of the education they receive, is unacceptable. By beginning here I could really emphasise to each of them how their work makes them a key player in the fight to put women on the same platform as men.

However, my favourite part of the day was the practical task I challenged them with. I asked each Big Sister to think about a Little Sister they recently helped. Once chosen they drew the Little Sister and wrote how they thought they’d made a difference to her. Afterwards, I laminated each picture and attached them to a rainbow backdrop in our office. It looked so fantastic, that I had to take a photo so you could take a look. 

The Big Sisters were so happy and surprised when they later came to our office and saw their work being complimented by managers, project officials, and even the head of the Aasaman office. I knew I had achieved my goal, I’d publicly shown how fantastic the Big Sisters are and improved their own self-esteem. I could just feel their pride and enthusiasm as they left. 

Introducing Sumitra Ksheeti.

Each Big Sister that I’ve met has been inspirational, especially Sumitra Ksheeti, a 21 year old who works with Karneshower Higher Secondary School in Dhading. 

In the last year she has been through a lot yet she still consistently puts others first. Last April, whilst eating lunch and listening to music, Sumitra’s afternoon was suddenly interrupted when everything began to shake. Alongside many from her community she ran and hid in a local maize field. There they remained for the next few nights, too fearful to return to their houses. 

Months later, and Sumitra is still living in a temporary shelter. Her home is cold and uncomfortable, and without a proper kitchen she is unable to cook properly. Yet she still chooses to devote her time volunteering with Sisters for Sisters, helping young girls get a full education, and that is amazing. 

 A workshop on feminine health. 

Sumitra attended the workshop that I was telling you about in my last update. I managed to run a session on how to make hygienic, reusable and practical sanitary towels and it was such a success. I had been a bit nervous before I got started; discussing something so personal with young girls who are not used to these kinds of conversations was daunting. 

However, I could not have been more pleased with how well they responded. You could just see that this was an area they had wanted to discuss for a while but had been too embarrassed to bring it up. As well as teaching them the practicality of making a sanitary towel, I also answered many of their questions, and helped these young girls better understand their menstruation. 

The session was so rewarding, and once it was over it was great to chat with Sumitra who told me how pleased she was to have discovered such an easy and hygienic way to make a pad. Lots of young girls will skip school when they are on their period, as they do not have the products we do. Things like this really help make a difference to their education. 

Where would I be without you?

I also told Sumitra and the other Big Sisters about you guys. I wish you could have seen their faces when they found out that people all the way in England had heard about their work. Just knowing this made them feel more important, and made me see how lucky I am, to have your support constantly with me.

Thanks again for everything, you guys are amazing.

Until next time, 

Eunice