Mira Shanti Scholar Fund for the Children ofArmed-conflict Widowed Survivors

Background

The youth forum which began in 2000, is the only non-funded project of the organisation.  Having identified the potentials of this group, DidiBahini took the initiative of working with the youth using its own means with a more holistic approach.

The youth forum programme aimed to create awareness through workshops and training on different issues and skills, and throwing them the question: “what is your next step to make a difference to Nepal?”  This question has moved the youngsters to organise their own small fundraising activity for their different outreach programme.

Some of the activities that the youth organised are visiting the young orphans, children whose parents are in prison, creating social awareness and skills training through peer teaching.

A creative expression corner was set-up to provide the youth a place to meet, exchange ideas, plan activities, do arts and crafts and visualise their dreams to make it a reality.  This is also a place for them to express their frustration through arts.

Concept of the Scholarship Fund

The youth forum ventured on its first art exhibit Realm of Realism.   It featured the artwork of a youth member, Pranjali Singh. Her thought to start up a scholarship fund for the women conflict survivors’ children generated support from her co-members.  The raised funds will also support youth forums to continue their outreach and awareness programmes on peace, gender equality and environment.

DidiBahini in partnership with UNDP have worked on a project for rehabilitation of the widowed armed-conflict survivors.  This peace and development project allowed the widows to go through trauma counselling and other life skills training to be able to earn a living and provide for their basic needs as well as of their children’s.  Aware of this situation, the youth initiated a fundraising activity to have a start up scholarship fund for these children.

The amount raised was used by the youth as seed money to increase the fund for continuity of scholarship.  With the help of DidiBahini a committee was formed to ensure the proper implementation of the scholarship program. It aims to send childern till School Leaving Certificate (high school). 

Therefore the youth forum continued to fundraise with the support of DidiBahini.  This was done through solicitations from friends and donors and through their arts & crafts sales. During the same initiation Paint for Peace activity was held on 25 March 2006. 

Beneficiaries

Initially, the first beneficiaries were the children of the rehabilitated women of the peace and development project.  For the reason that, their condition and location is know to DidiBahin organisation. These 25 children come from the conflict areas of Kavrepalanchok, Ramechhap, Dolakha, Sinduli and Sindhupalchok.