About Kopila-Nepal

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.

Objectives

Enable marginalized women and children to advocate for their rights through education, leadership development, livelihood start-up, and emotional support.
Decrease discrimination and abuse to the most marginalized women and children of our communities.
Build capacity of community members, professionals, and others about human rights, psychosocial well-being, and their own essential role in creating a supportive environment for those most in need.
Raise local and national awareness about psychosocial well-being and the human rights, laws, and needs of marginalized women and children.
Assist individuals in our working areas to heal from trauma and other impediments to psychosocial well-being.

Our project areas

Kopila Nepal’s projects have reached 28 Village Development Committees (VDCs) in the districts of Kaski, Tanahu, and Syangja. In the vast majority of these areas there are no other non-profits organizations and limited government services.