The Lead Nepal, an NGO located in Birendranagar, Surkhet, Nepal was established in 2022 with an aim to work among the Dalit community, to truly practice the values of inclusion and help shape a future beyond what’s been foretold in the community’s obscured histories. In Nepal, Dalit is an identity that represents the marginalized and the most vulnerable folks. As society progresses, the term that represents myriads of people, traditions, and cultures has ended up becoming synonymous with suffering and injustice. Stories of discrimination and limitations are passed down from one generation to the next within most Dalit families in Nepal.
We believe that everyone has the power to change the world and the term Dalit isn’t an end but the beginning and recognize that many within this community lack access to opportunities that could expand the horizon of their future. The Lead Nepal wants to change the Dalit story. We want to work to undo the damage that’s been done by history and create a future where the word Dalit inspires leadership and creativity. We’re defining what it means to be Dalit. To be capable, to be respected, to be in The Lead.
The only way to move forward from this history is with acknowledgment of the past and access to opportunities that can help harness their individual prowess. Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world and the most effective way to break out of the cycle of poverty. Education is both the means as well as the end to a better life; means, because it empowers an individual to earn his/her livelihood and the end because it increases one’s awareness on a range of issues – from healthcare to appropriate social behavior to understanding one’s rights, and in the process evolve as a better citizen.
The Lead Nepal with our Teaching for Learning program supports children to excel in their extracurricular activities and also supports their education creatively.
Program Objectives:
The programs are designed with the following objectives in mind:
- To encourage Dalit children for education.
- To create a platform to express their stories, ideas, thoughts, talent and feelings.
- Build leadership skills of the children in the field of their interest by providing free resources, and opportunities.
- To provide an access to education and extracurricular opportunities which will ensure children’s potential to achieve whatever they want.
Program Structure:
The main focus of the Teaching for Learning program is to introduce different forms of arts to the children of Dalit community, creating a fun learning environment, an experience for them and bringing out their personal narratives in identity, their own stories and field of interest. For that, the following core programs are being conducted:
- Digital Literacy: In the 21st century, only 31% of Nepal is digitally literate. The number is presumably even lower among the Dalit community. The Lead Nepal runs digital literacy classes where we provide access to computers, mobile phones, and the internet to support our children’s journey into access to information and communication technology.
- Learning Objective: Student will learn how to use computer and technology
- Work with children aged 5 to 18 yrs
- 2 hours session every week
- No. of instructors: 1
- Output: Digital Knowledge
- Music: Music is a form of Art and an expression of emotions. Music entertains the children as well as brings out positive vibes in them. Children’s participation in music class helps them with listening, collaboration, patience, vocals, singing, and playing musical instruments. In this session, we will introduce children to different types of music and musical instruments.
- Learning Objective: They will learn about the art of producing pleasing or expressive combinations of tones, especially with melody, rhythm, and harmony.
- Work with children aged 5 to 18 yrs
- 2 hours session every week
- No. of instructors: 1
- Output: Music Performance
- Arts: Art is something that is created with imagination and skill. It is a drawing or painting that is a beautiful expression of important ideas or feelings. In this session, Art creation will enable children to do any kind of interpretation from their own perspectives leading them to be more creative and imaginative.
- children will learn about the different techniques of doing artwork in the form of simple drawing to painting.
- Work with the children aged 5 to 18 yrs
- 2 hours session every week
- No. of instructors: 1
- Output: Art work
- Spoken Word Poetry: Spoken word poetry is a performance-based recital of original poetry. It is a powerful form of creative expression, which gives participants an opportunity and an outlet to present their voice. In this workshop, we will be introducing the basic elements of writing tools to the children. We will use poetry as a means of bringing out stories that these children want to share. Also, they will learn performance basics and by the end, these children will be performing their own poems.
- Learning Objective: Children will learn about the basic elements of writing tools and performing techniques.
- Work with children aged 5 to 18 yrs
- 2 hours session every week
- No. of instructors: 1
- Output: Poetry performance
- Reading Session: In the Reading session, we simply read books in front of students loudly. We choose one story which is appropriate for the children, read aloud and have a discussion on that story with them. After reading the story, we do some sorts of activities that are related to the story. This also helps children to interpret stories in their own way and make them creative. We will use the space available at one of the oldest library in Surkhet, ‘Himali Pustakalaya.’
- Children will learn: Children will enhance their reading and listening skills and be imaginative.
- Work with children aged 5 to 18 yrs
- 2 hours session every week
- No. of instructors: 1
- Output: Crafts
Teaching for learning images
