Empowering Futures: The Akshyar Initiative for Girls and Marginalized Students

Background:

For nearly three decades, the Women Development Society (WODES) has been a beacon of hope for hundreds of marginalized, disabled, and economically disadvantaged girls, as well as those affected by conflict and violence. While the government has technically made education free up until the secondary level in public schools, however inadequate funding leaves many young girls and their families responsible for the leftover costs. With schools imposing fees and families struggling to afford basic necessities like uniforms, notebooks, pens, extra course books countless children are forced to abandon their education. It is because of this struggle associated with school fees WODES has launched the Akshyar program, providing vital educational support each year to empower these disadvantaged children.

Objectives:

Empower Marginalized Girls: The Akshyar program provides vital educational support for marginalized, disabled, and economically disadvantaged girls. This important support enables girls to pursue and complete their education despite financial barriers.

Raise Awareness and Support: To make the Akshyar Initiative sustainable and more expansive WODES is working to mobilize compassionate individuals and organizations to support this initiative. With more support WODES, through the Akshyar program will be able to reach more disadvantaged children in need of educational assistance.

Advocate for Equal Education: In order to achieve systemic changes in education funding and policies that ensure equitable access to free education for all children WODES will continue its advocacy.

What is the situation of the children in that location?

●     Both school locations were quite similar, except the second school was much more remote and difficult to access— this limits the possibility of the children using school buses and most have to walk to school.

●     In both schools, students' uniforms were in very poor condition. Many wore ripped pants or shoes, some uniforms were either too tight or too loose, and shoes were also often far too big or small. The level of need for new uniforms was equally high at both schools.

●     Several children shared that they walk for hours each day to attend school and also work at home for a few hours to afford tuition.

●     The overall condition of the schools, especially the second one, appeared inadequate for providing a proper learning environment.

What activities this year?

●     We conducted school supply and uniform distribution activities at the following two schools:

○     Shri Setidevi Secondary School in Dakshinkali

○     Shri Kali Devi Secondary School in Lamagaon, Hititol

What are the outcomes?

●     Provided 30 students across two schools with new school supplies, uniforms, and appropriate shoes.

●     Helped reduce inequality among students by supporting those in greater need.

●     Assessed school conditions and identified areas for future support and improvement.

What are the challenges?

●     Poor road conditions and difficult terrain made transportation to the schools challenging.

●     Selecting which students would receive school supplies was difficult, as many were facing significant financial hardship, the final decision was made by the school administration.

●     Coordinating logistics and ensuring equal distribution of supplies required careful planning and preparation by our NGO team.

●     Due to limited funding, we were only able to support 15 students per school; however, our future goal is to provide supplies to all students in need.

What lessons have we learned?

●     The issue goes beyond a lack of school supplies, closing the educational gap requires improving school conditions to ensure all students have equal opportunities to succeed.

●     Despite facing difficult circumstances, the students are highly motivated and committed to their education.

●     Even small acts of support, like providing school supplies, had a meaningful impact on the lives of these students.

What are the future needs?

●     Increase funding to support all students, not just a limited number per school.

●     Improve school transportation and road access to make it easier and safer for children to attend school.

●     Expand support from individual supplies to school-wide resources, such as libraries and larger book collections.

Summary report by:

Jordan Edward & Hawraa Rahal

(Interns, Mines Action Canada)