Karuna Girls College

Lumbini Nepal

(Centre for Women’s Liberation)

 

         

           

“You can change today’s world helping underprivileged women educate

themselves. They will educate their families and future generations”

WHY SUPPORT GIRLS’ EDUCATION IN LUMBINI NEPAL?

Girls  in  Lumbini  are  often  pressured  into  forced  marriages  as  young  as  10  years  old.  They  face  a  life  starting  with  teenage  pregnancy,  no  education,  poverty  and  forced  labor  only  to  perpetuate  this  cycle.    Lumbini  is  less  than  one  hour  by  car  for  the  India  border  and  a  well  known  route  for  human  trafficking.  

UNICEF  has  identified  the  Lumbini  area  in  Nepal  as  one  of  the  most  critical  zones  for  girls’  discrimination  and  child  marriage  problems.    National  education  statistics  report  that  only  33%  of  students  in  Nepal  are  girls,  but  this  figure  is  even  lower  in  Lumbini  where  the  average  female  literacy  rate  is  one  of  the  lowest  in  the  world  at  18%.    

Girls  are  often  seen  as  a  burden,  seen  as  someone  else’s  daughter  to  raise.  They  will  be  married  and  forced  to  live  with  and  take  care  of  the  husband’s  family.  Parents  have  to  pay  such  large  dowries,  to  get  their  daughters  married.  The  family  could  be  indebted  for  decades.  The  younger  the  girl,  the  less  the  dowry;  the  less  time  the  family  needs  to  provide  care  for  the  unwanted  child.    

In  poor  traditional  families,  educating  girls  is  seen  as  wasted  time.  Help  us  change  this  traditional  view.  The  lack  of  girls’  education  contributes  to  several  systemic  problems:  lack  of  basic  health;  severe  malnutrition;  family  hygiene;  ignored  medical  care  and  high  infant  /  mother  mortality  rates.  

KARUNA’S CURRICULUM

Apart   from   the  English,  Math,  Science  and  other   academic   subjects;   their   education  will   include   basic   life   skills   such   as  nutrition,   family   planning,   agriculture,  environmental   awareness   and   computer  skills   to   help   them   all   with   their   future  responsibilities.    

We   also   offer   vocational  development   training   to   both   the   students  and  local  women  including  tailoring,  typing  and   computers   that   will   help   them   to   find  jobs,   become   financially   independent   and  contribute  economically  in  the  future.  

How Can I Help? 1. BUILDING OF A CLASSROOM

You; your family; your community or social club may like the opportunity to contribute to an everlasting commendable classroom. The classroom would proudly display your name (group name). The cost per a second storey classroom would be $10,000. This would provide ongoing education for approximately 30 Nepali Girls per year.

Most of the infrastructure is already in place with washrooms, electricity, and Wi-Fi.

2. SPONSOR a TEACHER or a STUDENT

Teacher’s Salary: $ 2,400. / Year ($200. / Month) Scholarship with lodging: $ 600. / Year ($50. / Month) Tuition Scholarship: $ 120. / Year ($10. / Month) Note** we can provide you with the name and email address of your sponsored teacher or student to communicate and encourage their progress.

3. DONATE A GIRLS BIKE $ 100.

Donating   a   bike   for   a   girl   to   commute   to  school   is   a  wonderful  motivating   gift.   The  status   of   their   own   bicycle   in   Nepal   can  make  a  life  changing  difference  to  a  young  girl.   Girls’   high   school   dropout   rates   in  Nepal   soar   after   8th   grade   in   part   due   to  marriage,   but   also   due   to   lack   of  educational   facilities   within   a   reasonable  distance.    

Providing   a   girl   a   bike   will   provide   an  opportunity   for   those  girls  whose   families  would   otherwise   be   reluctant   to   allow  walking  these  distances  for  safety  reasons.  A   bike   is   especially   helpful   for   girls   of  families   who   can   barely   spare   the  money  for  education,  let  alone  transportation.    

In  other  places  where  this  type  of  program  exists,   the  bike   is   the   girl-­‐child’s   proudest  possession   and has   given   her   the   courage  to  dream  of  even  greater  things.  

HOW ELSE CAN I GET INVOLVED?

1. Learn more. Visit our websites for information on our projects.

2. Donate. Visit one of our websites where you can make secure online donations. (Tax receipts provided)

3. Volunteer your time to make a difference. We

have many projects and fundraisers and could always use your help. If you are planning a trip to Nepal there are many rewarding opportunities for volunteers.

4. Share this brochure with others.

WEBSITES Medical Mercy Canada: Registered Charity BN 86989 0541 RR0001

http://www.medicalmercycanada.org  

-­‐designate  your  donation  to:  “Karuna  Girls  Schools  in  NEPAL”     Peace Grove Nunnery: www.LumbiniNuns.org Metta School: www.servelumbini.org

           CALGARY  CONTACT  INFORMATION  Medical  Mercy  Canada  (MMC)      Vicki James, MMC Administrator 403-717-0933 Trevor Ironside, Director Cell: 403-680-7780