Enabling children to create a better tomorrow

As I step inside the training hall I notice Eliza, 14, confidently presenting her views in front of two dozen school children. She is speaking about natural disasters and her presentation and persona clearly reflect her oozing confidence. When asked if she had always been this active and energetic she honestly answers, "No."

We meet during recess at a disaster risk reduction training where she is a participant. Despite busy schedule she is happy to share with us her experience from an earlier training provided by World Vision. She says, "Earlier I was nervous to speak in front of people and I felt cautious to express my ideas."

Her story took a U-turn after she and other child club members in her district were provided life skill training and psycho-social support from World Vision after the earthquake. Now, she is actively working for children's rights as the president of her school's child club.

"That training significantly boosted my leadership skills and I also learned about effective problem-solving. Now, I can easily communicate with my teachers regarding difficult situations such as menstruation during study hours," she explains. "Earlier, girls in my school could not talk about such issues with teachers due to fear and shyness but the training has completely changed the scenario. I have shared the lessons learned from the training with all of my school friends."

Talking about her future plans Eliza joyfully adds, "I want to make our child club the best one in Dhading."

Life skill training focuses on increasing self-awareness and internal capacity among children and empowers them to speak up against probable future incidents such as child marriage and child abuse. After the training they know what to do and what not to do in order to ensure child protection in their community.

Manish (15), advisor of the same child club, elaborates, "In the earlier training we learned about essential skills needed to swiftly solve any problem which we may face in life. One of such skills is self-realisation. We have to express our ideas, capacities and skills in front of everyone rather than hiding them under the blanket of hesitation."

Speaking about how he implemented the skills learned from the training in real life, he describes, "Once a friend of mine accidentally cut his hand while cutting grass. He was in a state of shock and did not what to do so he kept his injured hand pointed downwards which only increased the bleeding. Fortunately, I reached there on time and told him to lift his hand to minimize the bleeding. Then I quickly took him to the nearby health post for treatment. I felt very proud that day."

Manish dreams of becoming a computer engineer and serving his country with new inventions. "Our country needs us," he says.

One year after the earthquake, World Vision has reached out to 733 children through 31 life skill trainings and psycho-social support in 5 earthquake-affected districts. Furthermore, 125 children have been trained as life skill trainers in 5 districts and have facilitated several community level trainings.