“This program is not just about learning to read and write. It is about restoring dignity, fostering independence, and unlocking the limitless potential within each woman. Because when a woman learns to read and write, she doesn’t just gain knowledge, she gains power. And when she gains power, her family and entire community thrives.”
Sanjana Shrestha, READ Global Executive Director
Across generations, countless women have been denied the opportunity to learn, not because of a lack of will, but because of circumstances beyond their control. This Dhankuta READ Center set out to change this reality providing not just literacy classes but a path to independence and self-reliance.
A Dream Once Out of Reach
For decades, women in the community carried a silent burden—the inability to read, write, and manage their own finances. Most had never received formal education, and although some had taken adult literacy classes, a lingering fear remained:
- Without practice, their newly learned skills would fade away.
- They longed for financial independence, knowing that managing their own income would empower them to make decisions within their families and communities.
The need for more than just literacy was clear—these women needed an opportunity to apply their knowledge in real life and be economically independent. And so, this READ Center stepped in, not just to teach reading and writing but to create pathways for independence.
A Program Designed for Real Impact
READ worked hand in hand with the community to develop a curriculum tailored to their needs. The approach was flexible – classes were held at different times of the day to accommodate their busy schedules, and the learning model was participatory, allowing women to take turns as both students and teachers. This not only built confidence but also strengthened a culture of mutual support and shared growth.
More than just letters and numbers, the program connected literacy to daily life. Women learned:
- How to use calculators for basic financial calculations
- How to create business plans and maintain financial records
- How to budget household expenses and understand savings and interest rates
- How to build a saving cooperative for financial and social support
- Maternal and reproductive health, family, and personal hygiene
The literacy training sessions also became a platform for women to learn from each other, share experiences, discuss personal challenges, and provide mutual support. It also served as a space to strategize for their economic independence. For example, participants initiated a women’s savings group, enabling them to contribute small but consistent savings and access credit at low interest rates when needed. This initiative has been a crucial step toward financial security and empowerment within the community.
From Learning to Leadership: Stories of Transformation
📖 Sitamaya Tamang, 59
“I used to feel lost in hospitals and markets, unable to understand signs or fill out forms. Now, I can confidently sign my name, manage my own finances, and actively take part in community discussions. I no longer feel invisible.”
📖 Chandrakala Limbu, 45
“As a vegetable seller, I struggled to track my earnings, often losing money because I couldn’t record my sales. Today, I keep clear financial records, attend community meetings, and with my increased income, I can ensure my children receive the education I never had.”
📖 Bimala Thapa, 36
“For years, I struggled with even the simplest words. Now, I am the Treasurer of the Sindhuwa READ Center Savings Cooperative. I never thought I could be a leader, but literacy gave me the confidence to step up. Today, my voice matters.”
Finding Hope in Words
“For 60 years, I lived in a world where words were strangers to me. The desire to read and write was always in my heart, but life never gave me the chance. I watched my grandchildren study and wished they could teach me, but they were always busy. And even if they had time, there was no school or opportunity for someone my age to learn. Then, the library opened its doors to me. In the advanced literacy class, I held a pencil for the first time with trembling hands, and little by little, I learned. Today, I can do basic math and write my own name—something I once thought was impossible. I never imagined the joy of reading, the power of understanding, the pride of signing my name. I used to believe I would leave this world without ever knowing the beauty of letters. But now, I can read. And it feels like I am experiencing heaven while still alive. For this, I am forever grateful to the library.
Kamala Shrestha, READ Center, Dhankuta
A Ripple Effect of Change
The momentum didn’t stop with these women. The success of the program inspired many others to step forward, eager to learn and build better futures for themselves and their families.
Today:
- Monthly users of the READ Center more than doubled to 2,831 in January 2025 as literacy participants advertised the Centers’ services to their families and friends.
- 66 women together have independently established a savings cooperative.
- 50 participants have completed entrepreneurship training provided by READ Center and are launching or expanding their businesses
- A group of women are planning homestay and vegetable processing businesses, empowered by the skills they gained at the READ Center.
This program was generously funded by the Shanti Volunteer Association, a Japanese NGO working in Nepal to improve the quality of education to reduce disparities.
Source: Based on information provided by Ms. Bina Gole, Senior Field Coordinator, who facilitated the literacy classes at Dhankuta READ Center.
“Learning has no age or limits. Restarting my journey after decades of hardship, I shared my experience with these women, and as our stories resonated, inspiration flowed both ways proving that every step toward knowledge opens new possibilities and hope.”
Bina Gole, Senior Field Coordinator
