Hayley, Australia

What is your motivation behind volunteering?

I’d been interested in volunteering for many years, and as my kids became more independent – now all adults – I felt it was time to take the leap. For about four years, I’ve volunteered my graphic design skills with The Global Women’s Project in Australia, helping raise funds for international partner organisations like WFN. This connection provided me with a unique opportunity to travel to Nepal and lend my expertise to the WFN team.

Why The Women’s Foundation Nepal?

Before joining WFN, I was aware of the incredible impact they had on women and children’s lives, offering shelter, education, micro-financing, job training, and more. I was deeply impressed, but my experience there revealed the full extent of their work. The safety, equality, and empowerment of women are crucial to me, so WFN’s mission resonates strongly with my personal beliefs.

I had the chance to interview several young women who were rescued by WFN as young children. They received an education and a loving family, and now they’re looking forward to successful futures, supported by a strong community. What an incredible impact!

What was your highlight during your volunteering time?

Where to start? This was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Arriving in Nepal for the first time for my two-month stay with WFN was overwhelming, yet I was made to feel so welcome and comfortable. From my lovely room in the Solidarity Home to family meals and lunches with the team, I enjoyed getting to know everyone, spending time with the children and caregivers at the shelter, and so much more. I was also fortunate to travel to the rural hubs, meet members, and hear their inspiring stories. Traveling with Tara was a privilege; a wonderful person full of love and wisdom to share. Embrace the culture of Nepal, and you’ll have unforgettable experiences!

Ramona, Switzerland

What is your motivation behind volunteering?

I was planning to come to Nepal a long time ago. I heard so many beautiful things about the country and about the people here. And I always knew I want to work in a Project and work as a Volunteer. I am so happy I found out about the WFN. Everything I was reading about the Organization was so inspiring and I knew it would be the right place for me. I was working with Children and Woman in Switzerland and it was a perfect opportunity for me.

Why The Women’s Foundation Nepal?

Everything I read about WFN was very inspiring for me and all the projects have such an important focus for me. I also liked the fact that WFN is looking for experienced professionals who have expertise. The organization provides a shelter home to women and children, they provide education, entrepreneurship skills and jobs and they have a day care center for children. WFN also provides psychological counselling and free legal support to women. The varieties of cases that they handle are of domestic violence, sexual abuse, witch-hunting as well as financial disputes. WFN provides women with skills and training, which allow them to help themselves. The children can go to school and they can study.

What was your highlight during your volunteering time?

The whole time in the WFN was a highlight to me. The moment I walked in to the home I felt such a warm welcome, it was so touching and overwhelming. I felt very welcomed by everyone in the organization. Everyone was so nice and friendly and they made me feel at home from the very first moment. I was part of their family right away. I lived with fifteen girls in Renu’s home. It was so nice to chat with them and to get to know the Nepali culture this way. I have met so many amazing women and children whose stories have inspired and impress me so much. We also had a lot of fun all together. I am very impressed with how the girls live all together and how much everyone appreciates and cares for each other. The care they take with each other is very warm hearted and this is so nice to see.

I am very thankful for this great opportunity, and for all the experiences I enjoyed at the Women’s Foundation Nepal, and I will never forget it.

Anne, Germany

What is your motivation behind volunteering?

Why the Women’s Foundation Nepal?

What was the highlight during your volunteering time?

Fannie, Canada

What is your motivation behind volunteering?

I have to admit that I did not leave Canada to volunteer in the first place. I was travelling around New Zealand and then I got some news from my aunt who volunteers at WFN. She told me that I was more than welcome to make a detour to Nepal. I thought it was a really good idea as I could volunteer and at the same time discover a new country which turned out to be completely different from Canada.

Why The Women’s Foundation Nepal?

I chose WFN because my aunt has volunteered there for 7 years and over the years, she told me about all the things WFN has achieved. I spent 5 months volunteering and I can confirm that WFN really does do amazing work. They make a huge impact to the lives of the people they are helping.

What was your highlight during your volunteering time?

My highlight was definitely helping at the shelter home. The children are so amazing, always smiling and energetic. They are always happy to see you and are not afraid to show their home to you. After spending time with them you can feel how strong and positive they are. Everybody at WFN is very nice. They welcome you as a member of their family and make you feel loved. I have spent an amazing 5 months volunteering at the WFN and it’s an experience that I will never forget.

Women and girls face significant discrimination in Nepal. It is very common for women and girls to work harder than men, often in physically demanding jobs. Many girls are not allowed to attend school or finish their education. Child marriages are still wide spread and the girls, often married too much older men, have no chance to create their own future. Domestic violence and sexual abuse are also serious issues. Most cases are not registered and there is rarely any effective investigation.

Many children from poor families in Nepal are used as cheap labourers. They work hard, seven days a week, and cannot attend school. Due to extreme poverty the parents have no other choice. As one of the 20 poorest countries in the world, homelessness is a huge problem in Nepal with many women and children living on the streets. They are at risk of violence, trafficking into the sex trade and many suffer from severe malnutrition.

In the following pages, you can see the main issues and short stories from women and children we have helped. Thanks to the work of The Women’s Foundation Nepal these women and children now lead happy and fulfilling lives.

To help overcome traumas

The Women’s Foundation Nepal provides free psychological counselling throughout Nepal to women and children who have suffered abuse, violence or extreme poverty. Since 1988, we have provided psychological counselling to more than 1,000 women. WFN employs 3 experienced psychological counsellors.

It can take years to overcome a violent trauma like being abused or raped. It is essential that victims are able to access psychological counselling to help them to handle the trauma and rebuild their lives. Many victims of abuse are unable to access psychological counselling as there are no government initiated schemes and they have no money to afford private treatment. Victims can come to the WFN and we will provide them with treatment and allow them to get back their self-esteem, strength and happiness.

Fight for rights and increase awareness

Since 1988, the Women’s Foundation Nepal has provided legal assistance to thousands of women and girls across Nepal. The assistance is in the form of advice, legal representation and payment of court fees. We provide continuous support even if the case is appealed to a higher court.

The legal assistance program remains one of WFN’s busiest and most successful programs, with an average of 5 to 7 women visiting one of the offices daily to seek legal assistance. The demand for legal advice has steadily increased, requiring WFN to expand its legal service to 2 lawyers.

In 2019 WFN won 62 cases  and registered 107 new cases in court. Most of the cases relate to divorce, violence and property rights. Many of our cases are resolved through mediation allowing the cases to be resolved quickly and efficiently.

Teaching women as great farmers

Since the end of 2012, The Women’s Foundation Nepal has run an agricultural training centre in Jhapa, an eastern district of Nepal. Women learn to cultivate organic crops and to raise animals, such as cows, goats, chicken and fish. The centre is a prototype farming centre that modernises farming methods in nearby villages and teaches farmers how to procure and increase income through agriculture. The centre’s products are sold in the local market and the income generated from this is used to support other programs initiated by The Women’s Foundation Nepal.

The training centre offers three months of basic training and six months of advanced training. After completion of a training program, each participant receives animals or vegetable seeds to start their own farm and become independent.  

Make a donation to run and expand the school of agriculture.