Many Nepali children grow up in a system that teaches them to learn through rote memorization and one that does not encourage them to think independently and critically. Furthermore, it is exceedingly common in Nepal for children to pursue the same vocations as their parents, without considering the relevance or the future prospects of those vocations. In the case of marginalized children, a lack of exposure to other opportunities at the right time can result in them being trapped in a cycle of marginalization.

This mentorship project is important, as it is an opportunity for children who are otherwise excluded, or have limited experience of normal life, to engage with their ideas and interests, and open themselves up to their own potential. For the age group that we will be working with, it is important to channel the children’s experience into something constructive, provide outlets for their creativity, and guide them as they begin to think about what they like, what they don’t like, and to understand what they need to keep their hope and future alive through their daily initiatives. 

The pilot phase of the project was conducted at the Early Childhood Development Center, Kathmandu, after which the project will be fine-tuned and replicate it in other institutions.

The Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) works with children of imprisoned parents. It coordinates with the Jail Administration to rescue children, provide them day care and a residential home if they need it. Pushpa Basnet, the founder of ECDC and a member of the Kathmandu hub, takes care of 40 children at the organization’s Butterfly Home.

The Kathmandu Hub worked with 10 children and young adults at ECDC who are 12 years and above. Hub members met with them once a month to engage with them and provide support in developing soft skills using a developed project. The hope is that this project will give these young adults a chance to interact with hub members from a variety of backgrounds, exposing them to a variety inspiring opportunities beyond the conventional vocations that they become familiar to at school.