The challenge
I am Srijana Bhujel, 19. I have an elder sister and grandparents. My parents left us when we were small and married having their own families. I am the breadwinner in the family. Since my grandparents are sickly we have to do all the household work and study as well. Due to poverty, we sometimes used to skip meals and was about to drop out of school when I was in grade VIII. My grandparents were unable to provide us monthly fees, stationery, school dress, bags and shoes that hindered me from going to school regularly. So, my sister and I came to Kathmandu in search of jobs. We used to do household jobs. I was depressed and unable to concentrate on study and daily job. I dropped my studies and my sister continued her studies in Kathmandu. Covid- 19 pandemic worsened my family condition. During the Covid-19, I joined a restaurant as a waitress. I didn’t feel comfortable to work at restaurants because of owner’s and customer’s behavior. I got a chance to know about OVN through the staff member when they visited my workplace.
The interventions
During the Covid-19 phase, I met staff members of OVN during their field visit. They informed me about the organization and its working strategy. I joined OVN and engaged in the life skill and leadership training. Also I got a business support from the OVN at my own village. I am very thankful to OVN for making my life easy. I got a chance to share my feelings and thoughts with them which made it easy and comfortable to live my life. I used to participate in different awareness programs and training organized by OVN. I got large scale business support from OVN to start a grocery shop in my own village. From the money I earned through the business, I continued my education and helped my family. I am happy for this support and plan to save some of my profit for the future.
The result
With the money earned from the grocery store, I have been able to continue my education by paying my school fees, buying stationeries and my family has been getting nutritious food as well. At present, I am continuing my studies in grade 11 in Education. My aim is to become a good business woman or a teacher. The generous support of the OVN is an inspiration for me to fulfill the aim and become a role model for others. My family and I are always grateful to Opportunity Village Nepal for its constant support to many children to fulfill their rights to education, survival, participants and development. I proudly say that my future is secured. I have confidence that I will do well and achieve my dreams.
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The challenge
Rojina Kumari Sarki is 24 years old. She is from the Beni Municipality of Myagdi District. She hails from a poor family background. She has suffered from sexual abuse in her childhood. It was hard for her to survive in the same society and continue her education. Therefore, she was recommended by the ward office to receive shelter support. Her father died of sickness and her family condition became worse. Her single mother has to spend on her sister’s education and their livelihood too. She recently completed grade 10. Further, she had to struggle by herself for her livelihood and education as well. In this situation, she got connected with OVN through a social worker and shared her story.
The interventions
She was given constant counseling by sisters and staffers and the opportunity to take part in various in-house activities. She got the opportunity to take part in various programs organized by OVN like art of skilled facilitation, PSG, peer counselor training, life skill training, leadership training, psychosocial well-being, and self-healing sessions, etc. Further individual counseling sessions, in-house sessions, and other various programs provided by Good Shepherd Sisters motivated her to boost up her confidence level. Individual counseling helped her to have a focus in life and come out of traumatic situations. She got training on a beautician course, both basic and advanced. Due to the Covid-19 situation training got delayed even though she didn’t give up; she is a hard-working girl. Always she wants to learn new things and aims to open her beauty parlor shop. As a result, cosmetic items and furniture were provided to achieve her dream. Now she is running her beauty parlor shop and earning her livelihood.
The result
She earns her livelihood independently. She is running a beauty parlor after completing her six-month beautician course. Empowerment session and involvement in the project as a peer educator made her more active and confident to live independently. She has a way forward to run her business confidently. She had a dream to live a violence-free life and be independent, empowered, and motivated. She saves Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 every month besides paying rent and meeting household needs. She experienced a vast change in her life.
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The challenge
Swastika Thing is a 19 year-old girl from Godawari Municipality-18, Dukuchap, Lalitpur District. Currently she lives with her mother and three other siblings. Her family’s economic condition is not good since her father left his family when she was young. Because of poor economic condition, she left her studies and started working as labor worker and later joined Dohari Saanjh (Folk show at night) in Thamel, Kathmandu. The owner promised to pay her pay Rs 10,000 for working 6 hours at night but she was paid only Rs 6,000 for working eight hours. There, she used to work as a waitress and had faced different forms of violence from the guests and owner as well. She had to face misbehavior, intentional touching and abusive words from them. While working, she got information about OVN from her friend.
The interventions
She actively participated in various capacity building activities like life skill and leadership training, in-house sessions, meeting/interaction and awareness campaign conducted by OVN which empowered her enough. Considering her interest to establish beauty parlor, OVN has provided her six-month long advanced level beautician training. Further, analyzing her vulnerability context, she was provided a shelter support from the project which helped her to complete her vocational training without any disturbances. She participated well in all in-house activities conducted in safe home. She had a plan to operate her business by opening the beauty parlor in her area after the training which has not happened due to pandemic. After completion of the training, she was reintegrated into her family with goat rearing business support.
The result
Now she is working as a PSG leader in the project and disseminating information about human trafficking, sexual exploitation and others issues of entertainment sector to her peers and convincing them to get enrolled in the project intervention. She is serving as a bridge to reach out to the other girls working in entertainment sectors. She is practicing her beauty parlor training nearby her house and earns some money from there too. She also rears goats. She earned Rs 10,000 by selling two goats which helped her manage daily needs during the pandemic.
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The challenge
I am Rekha Dahal, 17 years old. I have two younger brothers. My father is the breadwinner in the family. Since my mother is sick, I have to do all the household work and study as well. Due to poverty, I sometimes used to skip meals and was about to be dropped out of school when I was in grade eight. My family was unable to pay my monthly fees, and for stationery, school dress, bags and shoes that hindered me from going to school regularly. My father’s earning is not sufficient for the family. I was depressed and unable to concentrate on my studies. I used to roam around on the road, playing with children. I hardly stayed at home. I did not have a focus in life. The Covid-19 pandemic worsened my family’s condition.
The interventions
Once I met the Good Shepherd Sisters during their regular family visit in our village, I got the chance to share my suffering. The next day, I approached Opportunity Village Nepal (OVN) organization, asking for support to continue my education since I was unable to pay school fees. After studying my situation and family condition, Opportunity Village Nepal supported us with a livelihood program during the pandemic. Through that support, we bought a cow and have started to earn by selling milk. Further, individual counseling and value education classes provided by Good Shepherd Sisters motivated me to continue my education and set up a goal in my life. They showed me the right path in my life through their inspiring speeches. Considering our misery, I and my family have received medical support from OVN.
The result
With the money earned from the selling of milk, I am able to continue my education by paying my school fees, buying stationeries and my family has been getting nutritious food as well. Before I used to fall sick often, but now my health condition has improved. At present, I am continuing my studies in grade ten. My aim is to become a computer engineer. The generous support of the Good Shepherd Sisters is an inspiration for me to fulfill the aim of my life and become a role model for others. I am always grateful to Opportunity Village Nepal for its constant support to many children.
