Empower Feed Educate Single mother headed families

Bahini Educare Foundation
Activity Report | April 2025

Empowering Our Mothers: Strong Mothers, Strong Voices

Mothers’ Meeting – Educare Family Program
Participants: 44 mothers from the Educare Family Program
Facilitated by: Kshamata Khadka & Kunjani Pariyar 'Pyasi'

Introduction

In line with our mission to empower single mothers and their children, Bahini Educare Foundation hosted a vibrant and impactful Mothers' Meeting in April. The gathering brought together 44 mothers from our Educare Family Program in a space of shared experience, healing, learning and empowerment. The session was not just about participation—it was about being seen, heard and upliftment.

Awareness, Dialogue & EmpowermentOpening Session & Welcome

The program began with a warm welcome from Divya Timilsina and Anshu Koirala (staff members of BEF), who set the tone by sharing the purpose of the gathering: to provide mothers a space for open dialogue, mutual learning and emotional upliftment. A round of introductions created an immediate sense of belonging and mutual respect.

Warm-Up & Trust Building – "The Invisible Burden"

Facilitator: Kshamata Khadka
The day began with a trust-building activity titled “The Invisible Burden”, designed to ease participants into sharing their personal feelings. This reflective session allowed mothers to voice the unspoken pressures they carry. Through guided discussion, they explored themes of guilt, fear and strength. Together, they co-created ground rules to ensure a safe, open space throughout the day, emphasizing respect, active listening and confidentiality.

Interactive Awareness – Good Touch & Bad Touch

This important session addressed child protection and body safety—a subject often overlooked in informal family settings. Using a visual presentation, mothers learned how to distinguish between safe (good) and unsafe (bad) touches and how to explain these concepts to their children in age-appropriate ways. The session emphasized the importance of early education, open communication, and empowering children—especially daughters—to speak up.
Mothers actively engaged in discussion, shared personal concerns, and asked meaningful questions. For many, this was their first exposure to the topic in such a structured yet accessible format.

Myth vs. Fact Wall – Menstrual Health & Support

A participatory learning, mothers challenged myths around menstruation, comparing them with factual information. Through group interaction, mothers explored the cultural taboos they have grown up with and received factual, science-based insights to support healthier, stigma-free conversations with their daughters. This session aimed to dismantle taboos and empower mothers to educate their daughters confidently.

Reflection – Opposite Reaction Exercise

This activity helped mothers reflect on how they respond to daily challenges. They explored ways to shift from reactive to mindful parenting, learning how emotional awareness can transform family dynamics.

Sharing personal stories helped normalize vulnerability and emotional expression.

Positive Parenting – "Mother Penguin & Baby Penguin"

In this symbolic and heartfelt activity, mothers learned about the instinctive nurturing behaviours of penguins—especially the ways in which mother penguins care for their young in extreme conditions. This metaphor was used to highlight the patience, sacrifice and emotional strength required in single parenting.

Participants reflected on their own parenting journeys and how simple, consistent acts of love can make a lasting impact on their children’s emotional well-being. It was a gentle but powerful reminder that even in adversity, love and presence remain their greatest parenting tools.

Sharing Strength: Mothers’ Groups & Economic Empowerment
Facilitator: Kunjani Pariyar 'Pyasi'

A focused group discussion explored the role of mothers' groups as platforms for solidarity, learning and growth. The mothers were also informed about our efforts to initiate empowerment in terms of skills and economy for them. This session introduced mothers to the concept of economic empowerment through peer groups and entrepreneurial opportunities. The discussion cantered around realistic income-generating options, including:

• Animal husbandry (chickens, goats, pigs)
• Street snack businesses
• Ladies' accessory sales
• Tailoring
• Handicrafts
• Beautician and makeup services

These ideas came from the mothers themselves, based on their existing skills and interests. The session helped them envision financial independence as a realistic and attainable goal, especially when supported by training, mentorship and peer encouragement.

Voices of the mothers: Reflections & Feedback

Participants described the meeting as joyful, therapeutic and inspiring. Many expressed that it was one of the few times they had felt truly heard and supported. There was a unanimous request for more sessions like this, where emotional healing and practical knowledge intersect.

Key Takeaways

• The need to listen to their children with empathy, especially when they are in distress
• Recognition that good parenting goes beyond provision—it requires emotional presence
• A deeper understanding that menstrual taboos are unfounded and harmful
• Renewed appreciation for their daughters and a stronger resolve to raise them with love and dignity
• Motivation to pursue economic opportunities, inspired by peer experiences and collective support

Conclusion

This Mothers' Meeting exemplified our belief that "strong mothers raise stronger daughters." It offered more than information—it offered transformation. As we continue to grow, so do the voices and confidence of the women we serve.

The session concluded with a shared lunch, strengthening bonds between participants and the BEF team in a spirit of unity and hope.

It’s simple; It’s simply BEF.