Three Years of Impact: CVP Strengthens Education and Communities

We are happy to report that we reached an important milestone in Nepal in 2025: We were able to complete the first 15 Captivating Village Programs! Since we launched in 2022, these three-year initiatives have helped girls in rural communities return to school while also helping to strengthen families and communities that are highly vulnerable to human trafficking. 

 

 

Why do we do this? In Nepal, rampant gender discrimination and poverty prevent many girls from receiving proper education. They also suffer from limited school access and/or cultural beliefs that education is not necessary for girls. But without education, these girls become more vulnerable to different kinds of exploitation, like child marriage or human trafficking. Our Captivating Village Program was created to address these challenges by providing educational support, community awareness (Anti-Human Trafficking awareness programs), and economic opportunities for households (My Business, My Freedom) 

Helping Girls Return to School

In June 2025, the first CVP sites in Manhari Rural Municipality concluded after helping 152 girls go back to school and maintain regular attendance. We encountered several challenges during it, like some girls moving to a different community, or sadly, early marriage due to poverty. In the end, 87% girls completed the program and are now still in school, pursuing vocational training, or have successfully graduated from Grade 12. 

During this time, the local government has been more involved in investing in education. We were able to gain more support from them by working together to push our advocacies. Now, we are more confident that the children can remain in school even after our program concludes. 

 

 

The support did not stop with the students themselves! We also supported their families. Some mothers joined the My Business, My Freedom (MBMF) program to fund their small businesses. Not only does this empower mothers, but they also help children stay in school and possibly invest in attending higher education. 

Creating Second Chances Through Alternative Learning

Formal education is a good place to start when conducting educational programs like CVP. However, many girls have already fallen far behind in school. Some of them chose to help their parents at home, take care of their siblings, or even do labor by themselves. So, we introduce our Alternative Learning Programs (ALP), made possible by our partner, Aasaman Nepal. It works by providing nine months of catch-up classes that allow the girls to return to their appropriate grade levels. 

 

 

In Thori and Jirabhawani Rural Municipalities, five programs across 15 locations enrolled 324 girls, with 85% completing the course

In Barahathawa Municipality, seven programs across 18 locations enrolled 425 girls, with 87% successfully completing the program.

After graduating, many girls returned to school in their respective grade levels, while others chose vocational training or pursued livelihood pathways. Either path is a win for these girls, for they have different goals when they entered the program.

We did not stop with educating the girls! We also engaged their communities. More than 3,000 teachers, parents, and community leaders participated in our trainings or livelihood support, while over 22,000 people were reached through education awareness campaigns.

Expanding Support to New Communities

While the aforementioned programs have already concluded, our work continues to expand into newer communities! In the same year, CVP launched in Ganeshman Charnath and Parsagadhi Municipalities.

There, 59 girls have already received scholarships to return to school, while other beneficiaries are enrolled in vocational training programs such as tailoring, beauty parlor services, and mechanics. We also opened community learning centers to provide foundational education for children here. 

We also initiated health and safety programs. 1,548 women and children received care through free medical camps, and 1,248 people participated in anti-human trafficking awareness programs.

 

 

Continuing the Journey

As the first Captivating Village Programs conclude, and we collaborate with newer communities to join our cause, our impact keeps growing stronger, more than ever! By investing in education, livelihood, and community awareness programs, we are helping women and girls across rural Nepal reach their full potential.