Students are listening from the teacher
|
We started to conduct various programs with an aim to helping and encouraging more children to go to school. But
while working in the villages for the children, we came to find other problems as well. Feeling the necessity of
women education, we started to run women literacy classes in different places and all this brought a very
positive impact in the rural lives.
Our programs are funded primarily by the generosity of individual donors like you. We invite you to share in our
celebration of the spirit and strength of the Nepali people. Contributions to a specific program are
considered to be contributions to our total mission; when particular projects are fully funded, additional
donations will be used where needed most. Sponsorship of children in private schools in Kathmandu sponsorship of
women's groups' sponsorship of children in village schools, and an integrated rural development program
incorporating literacy, women's development, and sustainable agriculture in two rural districts northwest of
Katmandu provides scholarships for over 20 girls at two rural primary schools. Traditionally, girls have dropped out of school in order to work or take care of younger siblings. Thanks to SADFUN's efforts, the dropout rate for girls in our program area has significantly declined. We distribute school supplies and uniforms for children whose families cannot afford them. SADFUN supports public and private school education for 110 orphaned, homeless and poor children in Kathmandu. Helps communities' build and staff kindergartens. This program is one of our greatest successes with high commendations from the Nepali government. It funds a Teacher's Training Center, one of the first in the Kingdom of Nepal !
Raising women's status through literacy and income-generation training is the most significant factor in
improving children's health and nutrition levels.
SADFUN supports the efforts of Nepali women to better their lives through:
- Literacy: Since 1999, 300 people - 90% women - have completed SADFUN-sponsored literacy classes. SADFUN also
trains non-formal education facilitators, and has published five literacy primers based on the writings of newly
literate women.
- Women's Development: SADFUN's women's development program gives women management and book-keeping skills,
and teaches them skills which enable them to earn independent income. The women contribute to a microlending
fund, from which they draw to finance individual projects. You can sponsor a women's group, helping women
achieve self-sufficiency.
- Training: SADFUN provides training, which helps the women improve their lives, such as basic health care,
nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and latrine, and smokeless stove (chulo) construction.
- Scholarships for Girls: SADFUN's Primary School Scholarship program, which assists over 20 high school girls
each year, has significantly reduced the school dropout rate in our project areas. The girls who were sponsored
by SADFUN are pursuing their education in upper classes, and the report from the school is the evident that
they are doing very well in their studies.
Students collection points for going to School
|
Each year since 1997, thousands of people in SADFUN's program areas gather on May 8 to celebrate International
Women's Day. Newly literate women stream down from the hills to give speeches and read poems they have written
to demand property rights, equality and a better future for their daughters. In the early years of the
celebration, SADFUN played a significant role in organizing the event. Since 2000, however, local women
involved in SADFUN-sponsored women's groups have taken organizing for the occasion into their own hands, a
clear indication of the celebration' empowering significance for them.
Nepal is one of only two countries in the world where life expectancy is lower for women than for men, a
reflection of their particularly low status. The struggle of Nepal's women to achieve equality and justice is
an inspiration to women everywhere, and messages to let these courageous women know that they are not alone
are greatly appreciated.
Each year, SADFUN is able to offer a limited number of volunteer placements in Nepal. Our current needs are
for professional teachers with training and experience in pre-primary education and/or English as a Second
Language. Volunteers work with teachers in our Village School. program or in public schools where SADFUN is
seeking to improve teacher training, primarily by assisting Nepali teachers and modeling alternative pedagogies.
Volunteers are requested to commit to at least three months, and preference is given to applicants with previous
overseas experience. Volunteers pay for their own room and board; costs vary, depending on which type of
accommodation is desired. SADFUN highly recommends, but does not require, a home stay with a Nepali family,
which costs approximately $30 US per week. SADFUN requests a $100 US placement fee for volunteers to offset
required orientation costs, as we receive no funding for making these placements. This fee can be waived if the
organization determines the contribution of the person is substantial enough in terms of skills and time to
warrant such a waiver.
Those interested in volunteering are requested to submit a resume. We will send you detailed information about
the volunteer scheme and a guide book about Nepal. The guide book costs $15 US ($20 US for orders outside of
the U.S.A.), including postage. It can be ordered through e-mail and you will be informed about the way to send
money for the payment.
For details, please contact:
Nuwakot district, Sunkhani VDC ward No: 8 Geragaun
Samakhusi 29, G.P.O Box No: 14221, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel/Fax No: 977-1-356682
Email: sadfun@usa.com
Website: www.sadfun.org
