Gaumati Sunar, a resident of Rolpa Municipality 2, Dhanmudha, diligently manages her household chores. However, the persistent grip of financial poverty frustrates her, especially during transitions between academic sessions. Many mothers like Gaumati find themselves unable to afford school uniforms, bags, notebooks, and pens for their five daughters. This awful situation weighs heavily on them, impairing mental stress amidst the demands of childcare and economic hardship. In Durga Bhawani locality of Alipur Ward No. 13 near Dang’s Ghorahi Bazar Badi Basti, extreme poverty, social neglect, discrimination, and the absence of basic amenities cast a shadow of despair. The community, overlooked by local authorities, grapples with harsh weather conditions and political neglect.
In these impoverished settlements, daily survival revolves around securing the next meal. Illiteracy, far from being a choice, is a harsh compulsion. Despite the desire to pursue education, many children are unable to attend school due to financial constraints and lack of basic necessities. Education emerges as the primary challenge in these communities. Some children are forced to suppress their educational aspirations and stay at home. Going to school on empty stomachs is a common occurrence, with parents leaving for work early, leaving children in dimly lit homes devoid of conducive study environments. Ranjita Badi, a local youth, grieves the lack of nutrition and the influence of external factors like substance abuse among the youth. The marginalized Badi community remains neglected by the government, with development initiatives primarily focusing on physical infrastructure rather than addressing the fundamental needs of the impoverished.
Despite these challenges, the unwavering dedication of social activists like Bimala Yogi, Kalpana Neupane, and Bishnu Giri provides a glimmer of hope. Through their relentless efforts, children from underprivileged families receive crucial educational support, ensuring access to schooling despite financial constraints. The NWCSC under Bimala Yogi’s leadership, has spearheaded initiatives to educate underprivileged children. Despite financial limitations, the organization remains firm in its commitment, providing essential support to approximately 600 students.
This grassroots movement, initiated by women and youth, has gained momentum over the years, ensuring that no child is left behind due to lack of educational resources. Despite challenges, the campaign continues to thrive, thanks to support from various organizations and individuals dedicated to the cause of education.
During the 10-year Maoist conflict in the country, Bimala Yogi assumed the responsibility of educating the children of families who were victims of massacres in various villages. After witnessing mass killings in several villages of Dang during the conflict, the Women’s Commission intervened to assess the situation. Upon visiting the affected village, they discovered that the women from the deceased families were planning fleeing to India with their daughters. Recognizing the potential risks involved, we assisted in enrolling the children of the deceased in school.
As the conflict escalated with violence perpetrated by both the state and rebel groups, our efforts evolved into a broader campaign. Despite the government’s failure to uphold the fundamental rights of citizens during the conflict, our initiative, spearheaded by women and youth, gained momentum. The Bimala Yogi Girl Child Education Program emerged as an inspiration of hope, aiming not only to cover admission and monthly fees but also to ensure that no child missed out on education due to lack of resources. While generous contributions, including 40 lakhs from the NWCSC and 10 lakhs from Bimala Yogi personally, provided substantial funding, the sheer magnitude of need posed financial challenges. Nonetheless, countless underprivileged children have been able to attend school with our support, affectionately referring to us as their mothers.
In 2050, the NWCSC was formally registered under Bimala Yogi’s chairmanship at the District Administration Office in Dang. Recognized as an institution dedicated to educating underprivileged children, we have successfully guided around 1,500 students through their school-level studies. Despite our efforts, local governments have been largely apathetic towards addressing the needs of marginalized communities, such as the Badi, Dalits, and tribal communities. However, individual gestures of support, like Prakash Dangi Chairman of Rolpa Municipality 2, providing educational materials to Goumati Sunar’s daughters, highlight the impact of grassroots initiatives. Lakshmi Bishwakarma’s journey from a dropout to a staff nurse, thanks to our support, exemplifies the transformative power of education. Similarly, Hima Rizal’s daughter Varsha found educational opportunities through our intervention, emphasizing our commitment to nurturing young minds.
As we continue our mission, Kalpana Neupane, the Chairman of the NWCSC, reaffirms our dedication to supporting underprivileged students. Our success owes much to the support of organizations like Help Nepal, Kathmandu, the Democracy Center, Kathmandu, and Nagarik Aawaz Lalitpur, who have stood by us in our endeavors to educate children in need.