KOPILA-Nepal is a non-profit making, non-sectarian, non-governmental social organization based in Pokhara, Nepal.  In Nepali the word ‘kopila’ means ‘flower bud’, something delicate that needs nurturing and protecting until it comes into flower. It also stands for Keep Our People Informed, Learning, and Advocating. In the same way, we engage the most vulnerable members of our communities to actively seek out their rights, as well as all community members in protection of those who are most marginalized.

History of Kopila Nepal:

After its establishment in 2001, Kopila Nepal’s founders raised money locally, from friends, and from their own pockets to open two schools in remote areas. With our first grant from the Methodist Relief and Development Fund in 2003 we began supporting the education of underprivileged children in 4 Village Development Committees (VDCs), expanding the program in 2004 to reach 14 VDCs. Through this work, we recognized many more of the difficulties faced by the children we were serving, including inability of family members to financially support their education, domestic and gender based violence, women’s lack of decision-making power over income earned, and the effects of the civil war on women and children’s rights and psychosocial well-being. Our programs likewise expanded to meet the needs of the most marginalized women and children, not only teaching them about their rights, but also addressing the psychosocial and economic barriers to these rights. Kopila Nepal has served 26 Village Development Committees, 5 of which have been handed over to local village members after 5 years of work.

Our reputation as a politically neutral organization has allowed us to continue our work in all areas throughout the time of the conflict. In each of our working districts we are proud to be recognized as one of the top 10 active NGOs by the District Development Committee.

Vision:

We envision a society in which the rights of all people are respected, all people have access to opportunities, information, and services, governing bodies are responsive to citizens, and our families and communities live in peace.

Mission:

Kopila Nepal strives to make sure that the most marginalized women and children in our working areas are able to enjoy their fundamental human rights and psychosocial wellbeing.

We work with community members, local, national and international government and non-governmental organizations to bring about the essential structural changes needed to eliminate social disparities of all kinds and to achieve social justice and equity for all.

Innovation:

Linking psychosocial well-being with human rights means that we have knowledge and skills that enable us to work with those who are truly the most marginalized in our communities, so that they may gain the confidence to speak out for their own rights.