Adult Literacy Program (ALP)

The Adult Literacy Program in the village Karki Gaun was demanded by women in the village who wanted to learn to read and write. More than 90% of the girls and women in the village are illiterate because they have less access to education than men in the rural area of the village. Although girls and boys attend school in equal numbers, the drop-out rate for girls is much higher than for boys. Most adult women can therefore neither read nor write and cannot help their children with their homework. To counteract this educational fiasco, Sahaytri Nepal has set up a literacy programme for adults - the motto: "One mother equals a hundred teachers".

Since 2018, 47 adult women from the village meet every afternoon at the school, where they are taught by two qualified teachers. The women between 25 and 56 years learn to read and write in English and Nepali and receive instruction in the basics of mathematics, art and public speaking. With the help of education experts and a professor from Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, the organization has developed a curriculum in English and Nepalese. In addition to regular education classes, the curriculum also covers topics such as health, menstruation, water & sanitation, waste management, modern agriculture and animal husbandry. Occasionally, activities such as picnics are organized, which is an important change for the women, who usually have to stay at home.

The women take about 3 hours a day for their education. This demands a great deal of commitment from them, as they also have to look after their children, housework, agriculture and livestock. This also shows how important it is for them to take advantage of the opportunity for education.

The women feel strengthened and self-confident in their daily lives, help their children with their homework and communicate with their husbands abroad. A newly discovered appreciation of learning opens up a world of opportunities. This enthusiasm, together with a newly gained self-confidence, has been transferred to their other projects. The whole village benefits from the program and an environment has been created in which men and seniors in the community are also motivated and happy to provide the necessary support.

Since requests are also coming from neighbouring villages, Sahayatri Nepal would like to expand the adult literay programme further. The big goal is to establish a women's school for the whole rural community.

Goals of the ALP adult literacy programme

-to give women in the community the chance of education
-reduce the rate of analphobia
-to provide education that benefits women in everyday life
-to empower women to support their children academically
-to enable women to be independent

Adult Literacy Program

Let us introduce you to some of our sisters.

Namina Tamang

I am 50 years old. I married in the age of 15, I have five children, four girls and one son. I was raised by single parent, where I had big responsibilities to look after my younger brother. I have never been to school in my life. Now all my kids are grown and they have finished their college and some are going to university. Adult Literacy Program in my village means a lot to me. I am eagerly learning Alphabet both Nepali and English-Nepali together. Since this program has started I have been continuously going to class. Now, I have learned Alphabet and learning developing the words. Now I realized that every word comes from joining the Alphabet which I was unaware of before coming to class. I myself always wanted to learn, my husband and children encouraging me to read and write. I am a farmer and I have to work in the field, feed animals for my living. Where there is will, there is way.... I manage my time at home, at work and in school. I am so blessed to have this opportunity in the community. I thank everyone who directly and indirectly is involved in the project. Special thanks to Santosha and her sister Christine. I love you...

Yours Loving Sister
Namina Tamang

From KarkiGaun, Nepal.

Urmila Tamang

My Name is Urmila Tamang. I am 33 years old. I grew up in a big family of 9 children. I am the second oldest. We have a very poor family background. I have never been to school in my life. Due to poverty, my parents sent me to Kathmandu to work at a wealthy family as a child laborer when I was 9. I stayed there for 5 years. My job was to clean the big house, wash dishes, wash clothes, wash toilets and care for the animals. When I’d see children of the wealthy family go to school I used to cry inside. I never enjoyed the domestic work and returned to Karki Gaun after 5 years. Since then I got married and now have 2 children.

The adult literacy program has become my soul. I have had no absences since this class has started. I am speechless and overwhelmed.

Thank you to everyone, providing us this beautiful program.

Yours Sincerely,
Urmila Tamang

Note of Interest: You’ll notice that Namina and Urmila share the same last name. This does not indicate that they are from the same family, it merely suggests the same region of origin.