Kathmandu, Nepal – February 7, 2025
The ESC-YWC volunteers head a midterm review meeting at ViN headquarters to discuss their progress on the ongoing projects, challenges faced and their future plans regarding project. The meeting highlighted the significant contribution they have made in the areas such as public health, child protection, women empowerment and youth empowerment initiative in the Tarkeshwor Municipality. The meeting also addresses the logistics planning including visa extension of volunteers, fun activities and language barriers they have faced in the community.
Public Health: Empowering Communities Through Education and Awareness
The public health project has made remarkable progress with the volunteers where they have conducted school programs for grades 3,4,6,7 and 9 in Jitpur School and organized six community workshops on diabetes awareness, menopause education and blood sugar testing. Despite challenges in working with the women in the community like their unresponsiveness, the team successfully engaged community women in menopause discussion and received positive feedback from the teachers at the schools.
Moving forward, the project will focus on women and elders, who have shown great interest in health screenings. Collaborations with local health posts will continue with plans to conduct HPV awareness sessions and promote the HPV vaccine provided by the Nepal government. The team also aims to expand WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) programs and raise awareness about alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse in schools.
Child Protection: Building Safe Spaces for Children
The Child Protection project has successfully established a children’s club at Saraswati School creating a safe and engaging environment for students. Volunteers conducted art and craft sessions, leadership workshops and legal/child rights education, empowering them with essential life skills. Creative initiatives for the school students such as development of wall magazine and creative souvenirs to visualize their creativity and self-expression was also introduced in the schools.
However, the project faced challenges such as shy children and large group sizes, often exceeding 50 students which made it difficult to provide individual attention. Activities were not able to be executed due to exams and vacations. To address these issues, the team plans to develop sub-committee guidelines to better manage large groups and conduct life skills workshops to build confidence among children. They also aim to organize street plays and conflict resolution sessions to address behavioral issues.
Women Empowerment: Strengthening Communities Through Engagement
The Women Empowerment project has made significant achievements in building strong relationships with local communities, particularly women in rural areas. Volunteers extended their reach to farther communities and schools, conducting interviews and workshops to empower women with knowledge and skills. These efforts have fostered a sense of community and solidarity among women, many of whom had never participated in such programs before.
Despite these achievements, the project faced challenges such as lack of clarity on roles and uninterested women in some areas. Communication barriers also hindered progress at times. To overcome these obstacles, the team emphasized the importance of flexibility, adaptability and effective communication. Future plans include organizing advocacy camps to raise awareness about women’s rights, conducting yoga classes to promote physical and mental well-being and developing mentorship workshops to provide guidance and support.
Youth Empowerment: Inspiring the Next Generation
The Youth Empowerment project has made significant progress in engaging and inspiring young people in the community. Volunteers conducted a survey to analyze the need of the youth with 181 youths and organized mini assemblies with 66 attendees. These assemblies provided a platform for youth to express their interests and concerns with 64 participants expressing a desire to join youth clubs. The project aims to equip young people with soft skills, leadership training, and career guidance to help them navigate challenges and achieve their goals.
However, the project faced challenges such as difficulty finding youth for surveys on weekdays, requiring volunteers to conduct sessions on Saturdays when youth were more available. To address these issues, the team plans to develop youth club guidelines and hold executive board elections to ensure structured and effective leadership. They also aim to conduct training workshops and research potential partners to expand the project’s reach. The team will continue to engage with the youths in other communities to ensure no one is left behind.
Overcoming Challenges and Moving Forward
The midterm review meeting also addressed several logistical and operational challenges faced by the volunteers. Language barriers were a significant issue, with some volunteers struggling to communicate effectively with local communities. To address this, the team proposed organizing language classes at the WBC to improve communication skills. Additionally, visa extensions for volunteers expiring in February required immediate attention. Volunteers were divided into two groups to complete the visa extension process on 13th and 14th February, ensuring a smooth transition. Scheduling conflicts due to school exams and holidays also disrupted some activities. To mitigate this, the team adjusted schedules and postponed workshops to ensure greater participation. The meeting also discussed earthquake safety measures, with plans to develop evacuation maps and conduct safety workshops. Volunteers expressed interest in organizing fun activities like BBQ gatherings to foster team bonding, with costs shared among participants. The ESC-YWC volunteers continue to make a significant impact through their dedication and hard work.
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