Education can help break the cycle of poverty
Today, more than 129 million girls miss out on an education.
Laxmi lives in a rural village in Nepal. After her father passed away, she was devastated and stopped attending school.
With the encouragement of her fellow students in her child's club, supported by Caritas Australia, Laxmi decided to return to school.
“If I don't get to study, then I'll experience hardship. I'll have to struggle like mother. If I don't get to study, then I'll have no knowledge. I know we can only get good employment after we study,” Laxmi said.
Education can be a pathway out of poverty. Laxmi’s grades have excelled since joining the child's club - she is the top of her class in many subjects and has received a number of prizes in recognition of her academic achievements.
Laxmi facilitating a wall magazine poster making session with child's club members at her old school in Jajarkot district, western Nepal. Photo: Richard Wainwright/Caritas Australia
“Now, I know where to speak, what to speak. However big the gathering might be, I'm not afraid to speak..”
The next generation of young leaders
After Laxmi returned to school, she became more actively involved in her child's club and developed greater confidence as she participated in public speaking and debating activities. Laxmi was keen to take on a leadership role and she was elected as the chairperson of her club.
Laxmi has now graduated from high school and is studying a Diploma in Civil Engineering at a technical school that is four hours’ walk away. Her dream is to work as an engineer and create a better life for her mother. She has seen how hard her mother struggled after the death of her father, working from dawn to dusk every day to support her children.
“I feel sad seeing my mother's struggle. Mother does all this for us, so that we can study and we don't have to struggle like this in the future. She is working so hard for our education,” Laxmi said.
“So, when I finish my studies, I want to get rid of my mother's struggles.”
Laxmi continues to be involved in the child's club, serving as an advisor and mentoring the next generation of young leaders at her old school.
In remote communities in Nepal, many girls are at risk of not finishing their education. But your generous support today can help the next generation of young leaders like Laxmi break the cycle of poverty and fulfil their potential.
Laxmi in class at her technical school studying civil engineering. Photo: Richard Wainwright/Caritas Australia
