Many Nepali children grow up in a system that emphasizes rote memorization, discouraging independent and critical thinking. It’s common for children to pursue their parents’ vocations without considering relevance or future prospects. For marginalized children, lack of exposure to other opportunities can trap them in a cycle of marginalization.

This mentorship project offers excluded children, with limited normal life experience, a chance to engage with their ideas and interests, unlocking their potential. For this age group, it’s crucial to channel experiences constructively, provide creative outlets, and guide them in understanding their likes, dislikes, and needs to keep their hope and future alive through daily initiatives.

The project’s pilot phase was conducted at the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) in Kathmandu, after which it will be fine-tuned and replicated in other institutions. The program’s vision is to transform children’s experiences into something constructive, offer creative outlets, and guide them in understanding what they need to sustain hope and shape their future.

ECDC works with children of imprisoned parents, coordinating with Jail Administration to rescue children and provide daycare or residential homes. Pushpa Basnet, ECDC’s founder and a Kathmandu Hub member, cares for 40 children at the organization’s Butterfly Home.

The Kathmandu Hub worked with 10 ECDC children and young adults aged 12 and above. Members met them monthly to develop soft skills using a structured project. The aim is to give these young adults a chance to interact with Hub members from diverse backgrounds, exposing them to inspiring opportunities beyond conventional vocations they’re familiar with at school.