Empower 400 Girls and Boys to be Leaders in Nepal

Our LEAD Course for 2023 has already begun! This is the 14th year we are running the LEAD Course. The recruitment process started on August 1st and ended on August 30th. During the process, we received 163 applications from adolescent girls in the Kathmandu Valley who were interested in securing a spot in our years-long leadership course.

After a thorough selection process, we narrowed the pool of eligible applicants from 146 to 86 girls for an interview. However, only 76 girls showed up for the interview. We selected the top 30 girls from that group who will be our 2023 LEADers. This year's LEADers are the most diverse, curious, motivated, and passionate group yet. Many of them come from underprivileged backgrounds and have shared inspirational experiences that have shaped who they are today.

Leadership Institute was a place where I got to know myself better. It helped me to understand what my attributes are and to have clear opinions and views. The Leadership Institute polished me to become a more confident individual while speaking - Rijana, 2023 LEADer

Our 2023 LEAD Course began with our annual Leadership Institute, during which our LEADers spent 12 days participating in sessions on topics such as Leadership and Followership, Personality Types, Learning styles, Emotional Intelligence, Public Speaking, Gender Stereotypes and Misrepresentation, Time Management, Goal Setting, Understanding Privilege, Self Identity and Self Portraits, Teamwork and Active Listening. 

Our 30 LEAders also heard from inspiring changemakers in Nepal. The LEADers participated in other sessions on such topics as Body Positivity, Sex, Gender and Sexuality, Privilege, Bias, and Casteism, which broadened their mindsets and introduced them to a new perspective. 

The time management session was effective for me. It helped me make my daily routine and follow it, making me feel less hampered. Now, I can organize my time for everything for a day- Rabita, 2023 LEADer

We have completed the two-week Leadership Institute program. We are now in the process of recruiting for the School Leadership Program (SLP). Co-LEADers and Mentor-Mentee pairing have been completed this month. We have 30 LEADers running the SLP for four months in middle schools throughout the valley. Our LEADers will have the opportunity to put their skills and knowledge to practice by delivering weekly workshops to groups of 20-25 girls and boys in class 9. The SLP recruitment deadline is December 10th, and the SLP session will begin on December 13th.

We look forward to sharing updates from our LEADer's School Leadership Journey in our upcoming report!