By Kate Kiama, Director of Programs & Impact
Photos by Uma Bista
I am thrilled to introduce our community to our partner, The Small World, in Nepal. The Small World is a not-for-profit charitable organization supporting locally-driven sustainable community development projects. These projects provide not only education for children —especially young girls at risk from exploitation—but also remove traditional barriers to girls' education, create empowerment scenarios for local communities, and ultimately help to end deep-rooted cycles of poverty. The Small World runs its programs in Kathmandu and Solukhumbu provinces and serves approximately 200 girls annually. They aim to educate, inspire, and empower people to change the world.
Nepal is a gorgeous country. It also contains some of the world's most rugged and difficult mountain terrains. 75% of the country is, after all, covered by mountains. The Small World’s goal is to ensure every student has equal access and opportunities to attend school and receive an education. To realize this dream and to end the gender gap in education in remote villages of Solukhumbhu, they built the first-of-its-kind Girls' Dorm for higher education. These dormitories provide a safe space for girls and mitigate the topographical challenges that hinder most girls from accessing school, particularly in higher education. The organization further provides guardianship for the girls as well as tuition fees, uniforms, and books. The staff at The Small World believe that the change they want to see for the future of girls begins with the girls in the program as they become role models for other girls and the community at large.
“The girls all consider themselves sisters. They shared how they support one another in assignments and general life challenges. They are also encouraged to practice their unique traditions and values, which are as rich as they are diverse in Nepal, and the girls shared how much they love learning about each other’s cultures and practices. ”
Kate shares a meal with girls from The Small World. (photo provided by Kate Kiama)
In late 2022, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the team! I spent an inspiring afternoon with 40 girls from one of their dormitories and realized they all consider themselves sisters. They shared how they support one another in assignments and general life challenges. They are also encouraged to practice their unique traditions and values, which are as rich as they are diverse in Nepal, and the girls shared how much they love learning about each other's cultures and practices.
Later that day, three alumnae from the same dorm visited as older sisters, and we had a scrumptious meal together. I learned they occasionally visit their ‘younger sisters’ for informal mentorship sessions. One of the mentors, a dentist, encouraged the girls, and her story appeared to resonate with many of them—she was the first in her village to access higher education and encouraged the girls that where they are from does not dictate where they can go in life!
She's the First is partnering with The Small World from 2023 to 2025. We are excited to work together with them to strengthen mentorship programs to promote girls’ agency and leadership. Follow The Small World and see what new heights they continue to scale in their equal access and opportunity for girls' programs!