Dhrubatara-Nepal

Background:

Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world with more than one third of its population living below the poverty line. In spite of the huge potentiality for the use of its human and natural resources, Nepal has not yet been able to capitalize them effectively for various reasons and thus, is lagging far behind in its socio-economic development.

As a result of massive poverty, political instability and a couple of other reasons, majority of Nepalese children are living in a pathetic life situation and are deprived of their rights including the right to life, right to protection, and right to education and capacity building. Though Nepal is obliged to ensure child right in reference to UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child, 1989) as being state party for, there is still a long way to go to fulfill its commitment for child protection and promotion in the country. Realizing the situation, Dhrubatara Nepal came into existence to be a part of the national effort on child right.

Introduction:

Dhrubatara Children Development Society (Dhrubatara Nepal) is a non-profit and non-governmental social organization established and registered at District Administrative Office, Kathmandu in 2004 by some youth enthusiastic to volunteer for human cause. The main objective of the organization is to provide moral and financial support to disadvantaged children and orphans for their education and overall development. The organization is named after a poor (lonely), but a wise child, Dhruba, who was placed in the north sky as a bright star, Dhruba-tara (polar star), by his country men recognizing his persistent hardworking (struggle) and generous contribution to the society in spite of the fact that his parents had abandoned during his childhood, as per a Hindu mythology.  Being inspired by the story, the organization aims to make every child a wise, intelligent and energetic as well as socially responsible citizen like Dhruba so as to establish human values in the society of Nepal. The organization believes that the childhood is the foundation of an efficient and productive citizen of future but it is only possible if we provide them child friendly learning and growing opportunity/environment.

Specific Objectives:

• To work for equal and civilize society for the rights and opportunity of children through the maximum mobilization of available resource, mean and information
• To provide scholarship, stationary and implement non-formal education program for the most vulnerable children to increase their educational status
• To decrease the all kind of social stigma, discrimination and harassment against children
• To implement diverse health program to improve the health situation
• To implement special program for the physically challenged children to orient them into socialization process
• To carry out different kinds of survey, research and investigation for the welfare and development of children
• To carry out skill development program to improve the economic situation of the poor and disadvantaged families

Current Activities:

Education Support:

Dhrubatara Nepal has been providing school sponsorship support to 50 vulnerable children from different parts of Nepal since its beginning. Under the support, it pays school fees and bears the cost of uniform, stationary and books of the children. Besides, its volunteers make visit to the homes and schools of children for their supervision and monitoring. Out of the total, 3 completed School Leaving Certificate (SLC) Exam in the year 2009.  Under the program, it feels privileged to support a daughter of a victim (Bishnu Lal Maharjan) of historical people’s movement 2006.

Dipesh Pant is from Syuchatar, Kathmandu. His father was died while he was studying in class V in 2004 AD. His mother was unemployed so Dhrubatara-Nepal provided him a school sponsorship support. He has got distinction marks (87%) in the SLC exam this year (2009)

Nabin KC (Right) got the first division marks (73%) in the SLC exam this year. Like Dipesh, Nabin is also one of those supported by Dhrubatara-Nepal for education. Both of them are happy with their results and express their commitment to support poor children of their society in the future.

School Support:

With the grant support from Rotary Club of France, Dhrubatara Nepal helped 2 public schools of rural areas of Kathmandu. It helped Shree Panchkanya Higher Secondary School of Syuchatar-8 for the construction of its boundary wall and library while Amarjyoti Higher Secondary School of Syuchatar -5 for the establishment of its library. In Panchakanya, there are about 200 students and above 600 students in Amarjyoti.

New library

Non Formal Education:

In 2008, Dhrubatara-Nepal ran 2 non-formal classes for 9 months targeting out-of-school children of Syuchatar and Naxal, Kathmandu. Altogether 40 children of 8 to 15 year’s age group were benefited from these classes. The children were from street and out-of-school children and after graduation, 50% of them is reported to join formal school in a nearby area.

Non-Formal Education of Naxal, Kathmandu

Niva Manadhar (Left) and Benjila Maharjan (Right) are from Kirtipur. Niva’s mother died 7 years ago and father a year ago. With 3 sisters and a younger brother, she is living with her second mother. Benjila is living with her old grand parent and mother. She is the lonely child to look after her family because she was just a 7 day's baby when her father passed away. Dhrubatara Nepal is supporting for their education. Now both of them are studying in grade 9 at Hilltown Int’l Higher English Secondary School, Kirtipur.