The Project
WELNepal funds, through partnership with a local non-government-organization, literacy classes for women. The "Basic Literacy Class" is a nine-month course taught by women from the community where 20 to 30 women of all ages from one village learn to read and write in their own language. The classes are 2 hours long and are held 6 days a week. After completion of the basic literacy course there is a further six months of "Advanced Literacy Class." After the women have become literate, their education can begin.

The curriculum involves reading simple stories that help raise awareness of issues such as women's rights, health care, and ecology. These classes are a positive beginning for the women, who are coming together as a group for the first time. These students are very intent on learning and supportive of each other even after a long day's work. The cost of a nine-month "Basic Literacy Class" for 20 to 30 women is Cdn. $425. A six-month "Advanced Literacy Class" costs Cdn. $325.

The educational process continues with the formation of development groups, where the women learn to discuss issues, make decisions, and elect officers. These groups form microbanks, from which, in time, they can borrow money at reasonable rates instead of borrowing from a moneylender at exorbitant rates. The development groups and microbanks constitute a support system to help women who have financial, personal, or family problems. The women's self-esteem grows immeasurably along with their literacy, education, and organization.

It is imperative to continue supporting these women, even after they have become literate and organized. Because the women had nothing to read after finishing their literacy courses, WELNepal has created "trunk libraries" to travel from village to village with a variety of easy-to-read but informative books published for them by NGOs. But more such libraries are needed so that the women will not need to wait long for a library to return to their village.

In the future, WELNepal plans to organize seminars for the women's groups to discuss women's rights with lawyers, women's and children's health with doctors, and environment-friendly farming techniques with agronomists. In addition, WELNepal would like to facilitate a dialogue to ensure that Nepal's politicians will address the issues that are of concern to Nepali women and that those women's voices will be heard.