WHO WE ARE

This is our story

Nepal is an underdeveloped country. More than 21% of its citizens live under the poverty index. The Nepalese government has guaranteed the right to education as the fundamental rights of every citizen. Nevertheless, some communities in rural areas, parents cannot continue to send their children to school due to poverty and ask them to work instead.  They are unable to allocate their earning for their children's education since there are other costs associated with education besides tuition fees and textbooks, such as stationery, uniforms, and other educational materials.

10-15% of girls drop-out from the lower Secondary to Secondary schools

Civic Independence Development (CID-Nepal) is a non- profit, non-political,  non-governmental organization with the great aim of enabling equal education opportunities for girls having only 4.5% of its budget for administrative cost. The organization operates in Eastern, Morang district, to a marginalized area of Nepal. Due to poverty, a certain percentage of girls do not continue school as they have to support their parents for extra income. Because of this situation, it is likely that the girls will be headed towards an early marriage around the age of 14-17. 

We recently learned that about 22% of the students did drop out at grade 11 in the same area. We went to schools to discuss with the registration officer in two different areas of the same municipality. We examined that more than one-fourth of students did discontinue school. If we have some extra resources, we could do the survey to investigate the cause of drop out. So far we do not have a resource.

WHAT WE DO

CID-Nepal provides educational scholarships for the 80-100 girls who attend government schools having a partnership with the Canadian NGO "My 100 percent". The money raised for the schoolgirls, cover for both educational material and hygiene kits. We make sure that these girls have an appropriate environment to study by purchasing solar light for households without electricity. We also encourage the girls to continue school by providing 2nd hand bicycles if they have to walk more than 20-30 minutes.

We also assist them with their health care. In case of illnesses, or if any sponsored girl needs a medical treatment that they cannot offer, we make sure that they obtain it. Recently, our partner organization "my 100 percent" raised more than 10,000$ to the treatment of leukemia of one of our sponsor students but unfortunately, we could not save her after the 3rd cycle of chemotherapy at Cancer hospital. it is a heartbroken experience although we tried our best. We miss her forever. 

We share non-violence, a child-centered teaching methodology for the teachers.  Traditionally, teaching methods in Nepal do not involve interactions between student and teacher, did not respect individuals to differentiate in learning ability. CID-Nepal tries to make learning a more enjoyable experience for the children. Our work concerns not only the children but also the community.

SMALL CHANGES WITH BIG DIFFERENCE

Dr. Arjun Mani Guragain, founding chair & Director of this organization, visited this community several times since February 2018. He discussed with 20 girls who were selected for sponsorship by Jhamtse Canada/InReach Nepal. He noticed many improvements. Girls who got regular support for their education materials perform academically better, They develop confidence, ambition a positive attitude towards their studies. As a result, the school drop out rate minimizes, child marriage drops down and girls from this society have an opportunity to get out of poverty through education.

The program has also a positive impact on the local people. Awareness raises among the community towards child marriage and perceptions slowly evolve.

OUR TEAM

Biographies

The entire board members of CID Nepal are well educated, experienced professionals and motivated for social work. All members are busy with their professional activities except the Founding Chair, Arjun,  who is dedicated to this project on a full-time basis.

Arjun Mani Guragain, Founding Chair, and Director (first from left)

Arjun has always been interested in helping needy individuals. He started volunteering after the 2015 earthquake that touched his home country while he was in studying PhD in Thailand. Arjun contributed significantly to the construction of 55 houses for earthquake survivors in the Dhading district. He did assist in distributing roof for more than 160 households in Kavre district.  Since 1992, he had involved in many organizations. He was a father figure for more than 100 children for the last 22 years at Child Haven children' s home (https://www.childhaven.ca/). His help entailed assistance for their safety, health, education and providing safe shelter. From the year 2018, he has focused his efforts to educate the needy children in their own home/community.

Dr. Binita Kumari Paudel, Chair

Binita has a long time experienced working as a volunteer Nurse at child Haven children's home and teaching faculties in different universities. She loves to advocate women's rights and always wants to assist needy people especially women and seniors. Presently, she is working as an Associate Professor at the Purbanchal University, School of Health Sciences for the Department of  Public Health. Binita found the needy area through her student's survey and approached the team to assist these needy areas.

Sushmita Khanal, Vice-chair (second from right)

She is interested in social work and serves the people. Sushmita is a kind-hearted young woman having a Bachelor degree in Health & Social Care. Sushmita is running a health care private business, she provides health care professional at home for people who are sick or senior.

Dinesh Tamang, General Secretary (second from left)

He is a great social worker who was a team leader for the 55 houses built after the earthquake for the survivors. He received the "Special citizen award" by Republic media. Dinesh is enthusiastic about social work in Nepal.

Bhawana Paudel,  Secretary

Bhawana has a long experience of working with children while she teaches in different schools. She feels excited to be part of this genuine volunteering work. She has completed a Bachelor in management science and currently works as a department head of a private school in Kathmandu. 

Rabin Pokhrel, Treasurer (first from right)

Rabin is a Government Officer and is very much enthusiastic about social work since he was an orphan. He wants to help many needy people. He has completed a Master's degree in English Literature and he recently joined a Master's program of Law. 

Dr. Ramananda Pandit, Member (third from left)

He is a lecturer in a few different public health colleges. Since Ramananda has completed his Master in Public Health, he has been an advocate for preventive health or promotes techniques on how to be healthy individuals. 

Meena Shrestha, Member (third from right)

Meena is a member of this organization as she is interested in social work. She is a business entrepreneur. She has run different kinds of businesses together with her husband. 

Sumitra Subba, Member

Sumitra is a registered nurse, working in Maharajgunj  Teaching Hospital. one of the best community hospitals in Kathmandu city. She is also very much interested in social work. She believes in an honest and simple lifestyle. She is the closest neighbor to our office. Dr. Binita and she went to the same nursing college 22 years ago. 

Giridhari Subedi, Member

Giridhari is a differently-abled person who isn't able to see. Nevertheless, he is very active in social work. He currently works as a teacher in Pokhara. He is the one that encourages everyone to work together for social work. 

WHAT NOW?

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