CVP: Former Child Bride Graduates and Learns Japanese
Forced into child marriage at 15, Ritika overcame shame and hardship with support from her family and our Captivating Village Program.
Healthcare is a dire need for citizens in rural Nepal. Despite advancements in the medical field around the world, healthcare is still an unattainable and complex issue, especially in conservative and underdeveloped communities. Citizens from these areas suffer from preventable diseases because of a lack of knowledge and accessibility to healthcare professionals. Just like education, healthcare is a right of every individual and we are continuously making efforts to help the impoverished learn to take better care of themselves.
We started a Women’s Reproductive and Child Health Camp around different areas in Gaurishankar Rural Municipality in October, and November 2023, and April this year. These activities were held at different locations where dedicated healthcare professionals examined participants through Electrocardiogram (ECG), Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), Ultrasound Sonography (USG), gynecology, general check-ups, and general eye examinations. Classrooms were repurposed as clinics to maintain geographical accessibility among the participants.
Our initiative did not stop at these preliminary examinations. After the patients underwent these necessary check-ups, they received their prescribed medications free of charge. For cases identified with medical complications or uterine prolapse requiring surgery, patients were provided with follow-up support and directed to referred hospitals for free treatment. Similarly, students diagnosed with refractive errors were given free corrective glasses corresponding to their prescriptions.
Over seven days, our child health camp served 1,748 students (890 female, 858 male) across five sites. The data is as follows:
As we also focused on women’s reproductive health, we were able to help them with proper diagnosis and treatment. Our records show:
Although women and children were the central beneficiaries of our program, we also catered to men for free medical checkups. If we can help anyone be aware of their health conditions to improve their quality of life, we are more than happy to accommodate these individuals.
In the end, we did not let the opportunity pass to inform our participants about our main advocacy: Human Trafficking. Hopefully, they will go home more comfortably as we helped them take care of their bodies, and also their safety. We are looking forward to sending more good news like this. If you wish to help and become a part of our larger fight, you can donate today.
HELP US CREATE MORE IMPACT
In 2023, the Captivating Village Program initiative reached 18 villages in Nepal. Every time $5,000 in funding is secured from a generous donor (or group of donors), another village program can be planned and implemented. Our team then keeps you updated on the difference you are making possible. Interested in learning more? Contact our CEO directly, andrewc@captivating.org, for more details. He’d love to hear from you.
Our Partners
Forced into child marriage at 15, Ritika overcame shame and hardship with support from her family and our Captivating Village Program.
We conducted a needs assessment in Panchkhal and uncovered challenges in the community, including a troubling rise in suicide rates linked to child marriage.
Some girls cannot pursue education, but it does not mean that learning stops there. Our Captivating Village Program (CVP) aims to provide out-of-school girls with a vital opportunity to continue their education in alternative learning environments.
Every year, hundreds of students in Nepal are compelled to leave school due to their family conditions. According to statistics, 4.8% of students in Nepal still leave school each year.
When we first met Neeta a few months ago in Nepal, she lacked confidence and had low self-esteem.
Ritu is one of the girls that we support through the Captivating Village Program (CVP) in Nepal.