In 2023, the dZi Foundation supported the formation of 11 child clubs in two Rural Municipalities in the Khotang district to promote student leadership, confidence, and the development of learning and networking skills. As part of this initiative, dZi conducted a four-day capacity-building training for the child club members. This training covered leadership, their roles and responsibilities as child club executives, child rights and protection, group management, and activity planning. This is the story of the Indreni Child Club at Shree Jalpa Secondary School in Kepilashadhi Rural Municipality.
After the training, the Indreni Child Club organized various campaigns focused on school enrollment, personal hygiene and cleanliness, child labor, exploitation, and child marriage. They also organized day celebrations, sports and elocution competitions, quizzes, and cultural programs. Additionally, the club also published a wall of magazines.
Impressed by the proactive leadership and project management displayed by the Indreni Child Club, the Kepilasgadi Rural Municipality requested them to organize additional activities for school children, providing a budget of Rs. 60,000 (approximately $450 USD). In collaboration with the local government representatives and the school, the students organized an art exhibition, allowing many students to showcase their arts and crafts skills. The event was a huge success, promoting students' talents and encouraging them to further pursue their goals.
The community members were also deeply impressed by the leadership and confidence of the child club members and the positive impact they had on their village. As a result, some of the parents working abroad donated Rs. 130,000 (approximately $970) to the child club as a scholarship endowment fund. Club President Kopila Adhikari shared, “The fund has been established to provide scholarships to children from low-income backgrounds in the school every year. We are extremely happy to get the scholarship fund from our parents.” The parents’ trust in the child clubs to manage the scholarship program significantly boosted the students’ confidence and strengthened their sense of responsibility to drive positive change in the school. The child club is now forming a scholarship endowment committee to oversee the annual scholarship distribution.
The child club members are gaining meaningful leadership skills through their work in the community. “It has helped empower the students. Children used to be introverted, shy, and scared, but now they are active, confident, and involved in different activities,” says Adhikari.
This year, their school won second place in the municipality-level volleyball competition. After their strong finish, the child club organized a celebration program to congratulate the volleyball players and honor their talent and efforts. “This felicitation encouraged and inspired more girls to play sports,” shared Lila Bahadur Adhikari, the child club’s focal teacher. “Child club organizing a small celebration program had a huge impact on all the students.”
“Recently, the executive members of the child club have completed their term, and now the new executive board is ready to take the legacy forward with even more energy and passion,” says Shristi Rai, the new child club vice president.
The Indreni Child Club is a prime example of how giving students a platform can empower their leadership abilities and catalyze positive change in the school and community. Through the dZi Foundation's deep trust in its partner communities and the hard work and dedication of partners like the Indreni Child Club, our goal to provide equitable access to education and opportunity for all is being fulfilled.