Durga Buda, a 16-year-old from Surkhet district Ramghat Municipality, has set an exemplary change to the society. She belongs to an economically backward family and grew in a society with a narrow superstitious culture. Five years back, it was difficult for her parents to send her to school and she was at the verge of dropping out. Sisters for Sisters’ Education Project, funded by FCDO and implemented by VSO in partnership with the British Council, changed her life.
She was selected as one of the little sisters in the project. It was after her Big Sister- Dilmaya Bohora, a community volunteers who got paired with her to mentor her with academic and emotional support to continue her education and this was when Durga’s life started changing.
Durga started getting involved in different activities at school, she started getting rewards from her teacher which increased her interest level in school. Gradually she became one of the regular students at school. “Since the time Dilmaya became my Big Sister she had been my life support. Today, she is a part of my family.” Durga has been active in activities organized by the project, school and communities at different time.
Durga was a shy girl but now she has turned into an outspoken and courageous girl. She has not only built confidence but has also grown her leadership skills. Last year she joined British Council EDGE – English and Digital for Girls Education Project as a Peer Group leader where she facilitates her group of friends to use laptops and different function in English language. “I used laptop for the first time as a Peer Group Leader (PGL). The first thing I learnt was to type my name in a laptop. I was very happy on that day”.
Every week Durga and her friends at EDGE club practice new things in laptop. She used to find learning English difficult but and now this has become one of her favorite subjects. Durga aims to be a teacher in the future. Through her facilitation skills she has already proved her dedication for her dream.
Last year British Council Nepal and VSO Nepal signed a 4-year contract to implement British Council’s English and Digital for Girls’ Education (EDGE) programme as part of VSO’s wider Sisters for Sisters’ Education II project.
Sisters for Sisters' Education II (SfSE-II) project is funded by FCDO’s Girls’ Education Challenge Transition Window. Through improved access to quality education, SfSE-II envisions that marginalised adolescent girls from rural Nepal will transition from basic to secondary education, and secondary to upper secondary, empowered to leave school to either secure a sustainable livelihood or continue with education. They will be equipped with skills that improve employability, enhance confidence and self-esteem to act as leaders, and enable them to influence and control their own sexual and reproductive health rights
