Nikki Richard
Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Starting this March, I will be volunteering at the Women’s Security Pressure Group (WSPG) in Kathmandu, Nepal for 8 weeks. I will be helping to advance women’s rights in Nepal through research, education programs, governmental policy revisions and awareness campaigns.
Namaste!
I've been in Kathmandu since March 4th and I've been working with Women Security Pressure Group for about three weeks. The city is very busy and chaotic but Nepali people radiate a tranquility and warmth that calms the day. Up to this point, my volunteer work with WSPG has largely consisted of familiarizing myself with their current projects, key accomplishments, the political and legal status of women in Nepal, and the organization's funding requirements. I've now started two funding proposals to international sponsors to try and obtain funds in support of upcoming projects to increase women's participation in governance and the peace process and to bring education and awareness on violence against women in Nepal.
The staff and executive committee speak fairly good English and everyone is very welcoming and willing to share their knowledge and expertise with me. They've been fantastic at helping to educate me on the organization and women-related laws in the country (I need everything translated as its written in script), as well as engage me in discussions about the consequences for women living in such a patriarchal, traditional and poverty-stricken country that is only recently coming out of decades of political instability. As I spend more time learning from them and understanding their needs and focus, I'm becoming more able to move towards helping with program planning and research based on my own experiences and knowledge I may have to offer. I was fortunate enough to participate in a rally for International Women's Day a couple weeks back as well - a great experience! I also had the opportunity to visit a local orphanage last week and yesterday I travelled a couple hours out of the city to help with a women's reproductive health camp that rotates around the valley each weekend to rural areas where women don't have easy access to health care. About 200 women visited the camp within 4 hours - it's really incredible to see what can be accomplished with minimal resources and a dedicated team.
I would like to thank each of you for your contribution to making it possible for me to travel so far to such a disadvantaged region of the world to help this marginalized community of women. Your generosity either through attending my fundraiser, donating a silent auction item, or making a financial donation, in addition to your positive encouragement and support, is why I'm able to be here trying to make the small difference I hope I can. With all of your generosity I've also been able to purchase office supplies for WSPG and in a few weeks I'm also planning on helping a staff member and her son who are in need.
If you would like to hear more about my work with WSPG as well as my other experiences enjoying Nepali culture, I'll be updating my blog weekly at nikkiinnepal.tumblr.com (Inspire. Learn. Educate. Empower.).
Dhanaybhad & Namaste,
Nikki Richard
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