Kopila Nepal

Empowering Futures

 The 'Empowering Futures' project aims to significantly enhance education, empowerment, and overall development for underprivileged children and their families in Bulingtaar Rural Municipality, Nawalpur District, western Nepal. Funded by the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, the project focuses on fostering educational growth, community resilience, and socio-economic development. Special attention will be given to marginalized groups, particularly children (especially girls) from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, children of single women or survivors of violence and exploitation, children with disabilities, and children from Dalit and other marginalized communities, ensuring inclusivity and equitable access to resources.

Empowering Children for an Inclusive Society

This program, funded by the Global Fund for Children, focuses on addressing the root causes of exclusion and discrimination through community-led approaches. It is being implemented in Myade Rural Municipality of Tanahun District, with a strong emphasis on empowering adolescent girls as key change-makers.

In its first phase, the program will conduct a comprehensive baseline assessment to better understand both community dynamics and organizational capacity.

The Letepia Girls Emergency Shelter

KOPILA-Nepal have been running the Kopila’s Emergency Transitional Home since 2013. The home was mostly targeted to provide shelter to the women victim of violence, abuse and mental health problem. However, the number of young girls were more referred to the shelter for their protection. The increasing number of girls in transit shelter focused especially for mental health problem didn’t give the young an appropriate environment to grow. So, Kopila together with Child Welfare Scheme, Hong Kong thought the need to separate the young girls from the women with mental health problem to provide them an appropriate environment.

The Letepia home was started from June 4, 2020 in financial support from Child Welfare Scheme, Hong Kong.

Menstrual Health and Justice for All

Since 2018, the Government of Nepal has been actively working to understand and address the deep-rooted discrimination faced by menstruating women and girls. Cultural, religious, and social taboos surrounding menstruation continue to negatively impact their health, education, employment opportunities, and social inclusion. These taboos often lead to stigma, isolation, and gender-based violence, with some communities even blaming menstruating women and girls for environmental pollution.

While government programs such as free menstrual pad distribution in public schools are commendable, research has revealed that access to pads alone is not enough. Many girls still miss school due to menstrual pain and a widespread lack of understanding about menstruation among girls, families, and community members.

Empowerment for Equal Opportunity

In partnership with World Development and Relief since 2009, KN has been running the project to support destitute women and children in enabling them to enjoy equal rights and opportunities. Furthermore, the project aims to strengthen the socio-economic condition, promote access to rights. The project incorporates activities such as; awareness and advocacy, training on legal rights and entitlements, income generation support, psychosocial wellbeing support as well as financial sustainability programs. Through this project, efforts are made to reduce the prevalence of discriminatory practices that have led to gender based violence such as witchcraft and child marriage in Kaski.

Empowering through Education and Awareness

In collaboration with Shenphen Aid, Norway, KOPILA Nepal is actively engaged in fostering educational growth among the children of Pokhara Metropolitan City. This initiative involves the distribution of educational resources and the provision of educational sponsorships, all aimed at nurturing a culture of learning. 

Moreover, our partnership has led to the creation of comprehensive manuals addressing crucial topics like Gender-Based Violence and Mental Health. Through these manuals, we strive to promote awareness and understanding within our community. To further drive this awareness, workshops are being conducted, targeting locally elected women leaders and members of the Kaski District community. 

AFS Intercultural Exchange Program

Through this program, KOPILA Nepal provides teenager an opportunity to spend an enriching semester studying in Japan, experiencing its culture, and attending a Japanese high school. It also helps to build lasting connections with local peers and enhance language skills while fostering intercultural understanding. The Japanese government-sponsored scholarship promotes bridge-building between Japanese and Asian high school students, creating a unique platform for growth and global competence.

This project is facilitated in collaboration with AFS India.