Justice and Human Rights Nepal Project #69448

Educate and Empower Dalit Youth in Rural Nepal

by Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF)

Educate and Empower Dalit Youth in Rural Nepal

Project Report | Mar 13, 2026
5 Community Learning Centers Open Doors for Dalit Children

By Nepal Youth Foundation | Project Leader

Back-to-school bridging courses and tutoring

Strengthening Nutrition and Education in Dalit Communities

In March 2025, Nepal Youth Foundation hosted a one-day nutrition training through the Caste Equality Project in Saptari District at a Community Learning Center (CLC). The training brought together more than 100 participants, including school teachers, cooks, caregivers, and mothers from the surrounding community.

Nutrition experts from NYF’s programs led the session, sharing practical knowledge about child nutrition, balanced meals, and healthy food preparation. Participants included 26 teachers and cooks representing all 13 schools in Tirhut Rural Municipality, six CLC staff members and cooks, and 78 mothers from the community.

By equipping caregivers and educators with stronger nutrition knowledge, the training helps ensure that children receive healthier meals both at school and at home.

Expanding Learning Through Community Learning Centers

NYF’s Community Learning Centers in Saptari continue to support children and families with educational opportunities and safe spaces to grow.

After-School Support Classes

In 2025, more than 100 children participated in after-school support classes. At any given time, up to 50 students attended sessions at each center, strengthening their academic skills, building confidence, and helping them stay engaged in school.

Early Childhood Care Program

A total of 120 toddlers participated in the early childhood care program in 2025. The program provides a safe, nurturing environment where young children receive nutritious meals, learn personal hygiene habits, and engage in creative play that supports early cognitive development.

Back-to-School Bridging Classes

NYF’s bridging classes helped girls who had previously dropped out of school return to the classroom. In 2025, 35 girls participated in the program, and 33 successfully transitioned back into formal schooling during the current academic year. This marks an encouraging step toward long-term educational opportunity.

Through the Caste Equality Project, NYF is helping Dalit children and families access the education, nutrition, and support systems they need to build brighter futures.

Saving time for mindfulness

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Nov 25, 2025
Nandini's First Paycheck Changed Everything

By Nepal Youth Foundation | Project Leader

In Tirhut, where NYF’s Caste Equality Project (CEP) is taking place, families are beginning to see the power of education and opportunity. When NYF first invites girls from the community to join vocational training at Olgapuri Vocational School in Kathmandu, many families are hesitant. In Nandini's case, her grandparents initially refuse to let her go because they believe leaving home will harm her honor and jeopardize her chances of marriage. With encouragement and reassurance from NYF staff, they eventually agree.

Fast forward a few months:
Nandini enrolled in NYF's six-month industrial tailoring course and, soon after graduating, secured a job at a Kathmandu clothing manufacturer. She began earning an income and recently sent part of her savings back to her grandparents. When her grandparents received this money in front of their neighbors, the moment inspired trust and sparked new conversations across the community.

Nandini's success is not an isolated case. Ten more girls from Tirhut had already traveled to Kathmandu for vocational training, and several had secured employment and sent money home to support their families.These opportunities are protecting girls from early marriage and proving that investing in their education benefits entire households. These brave young women are breaking barriers and inspiring others in their community to reimagine what is possible.

With your support, NYF can continue educating young girls and adults in Tirhut, allowing them to build their own futures with dignity and agency. By opening doors to skills training and economic opportunity, you are helping ensure that fewer girls face the pressure of early marriage — and that more families can imagine new possibilities for their daughters.

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Aug 4, 2025
Over 820 Students Enrolled in School in Saptari District!

By Nepal Youth Foundation | Project Leader

This summer, the Nepal Youth Foundation's (NYF) Caste Equality Project (CEP) is continuing to drive generational change across Dalit communities in Saptari District, Madhesh Province. Our team is expanding access to education, improving school infrastructure, and empowering families to break free from systemic exclusion.

A Surge of Hope: Classrooms Filling Up Again

Following a successful school enrollment campaign in 2024 that brought more than 820 Dalit students back to the classroom, NYF immediately began expanding school infrastructure to meet the growing demand.

In 2025, NYF launched a second School Enrollment Campaign to build on that momentum. So far, over 90 students who had dropped out previously have officially re-enrolled. One school has already requested additional classrooms due to the influx!

In collaboration with the local government, NYF set into motion a vibrant initiative aimed at boosting school enrollment in the region. Our dedicated team—alongside enthusiastic students and teachers—began spreading the word through energizing rallies and personalized home visits to promote the value of education.

Updates Made So Far:

New furniture & ceiling fans installed to improve learning conditions
New classrooms (and one small kitchen) built at a school
Free lunches served daily to support health & boost attendance

What’s Included in a School Enrollment Campaign?

Door-to-door visits to speak with parents, encourage enrollment, and answer questions
Distribution of hundreds of school uniforms and bags—handmade by our Industrial Tailoring students at Olgapuri Vocational School
Village rallies coordinated to build awareness and excitement

Thanks to your generosity, we’re making tangible progress in removing educational barriers for Dalit children—and creating a brighter, more equitable future in Saptari District.

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