Children from ethnic minorities and lowest castes in south Nepal are trapped in a cycle of poverty that stems from poor educational provision in under-resourced state schools, Classes are overcrowded and teachers struggle to cope. Illiterate parents (who are unable to support with homework) can see education as being a waste of time when children could be working and earning. Attendances are low and dropouts high, especially for girls who are then vulnerable to child marriage or trafficking.

We support a proven model that improves mainstream education through setting up community learning centres. These are attended twice a day by children who receive the extra tuition and homework support that parents cannot provide. The tuition is provided by college students from the same backgrounds who act as role models, their modest salaries helping cover their college fees through to graduation. The centres provide an entry point to schools and help the children to complete a full education.