Poonam, 14, from Chimath village in Mugu was shy and hesitant to speak with strangers. However, she was also hardworking and passionate about being a member of her school’s child club. Eventually in Grade 7 she was selected as the vice-chairperson of the child club.

UMN and its local partner KCDC* supported the child club members and students and encouraged them to participate in extracurricular activities at school. This included supplying the child club with stationery to organise different activities and playing materials for recreation. KCDC also frequently provided training and workshops on child rights and life skills, among others.

Poonam has been participating in extracurricular activities such as debate competition, quiz contest, cultural song, dance and sports like volleyball and high jump. She even bagged first prize in debate and quiz and third prize in the cultural dance competition. Through the child club’s meetings and training she learned about child rights, life skills including a personal hygiene and sanitation campaign, learned new games and improved her public speaking. “I feel happy, content and encouraged when I participate in extracurricular activities. It also helps to improve my confidence in speaking and sharing my ideas with others,” shared Poonam.

Poonam actively leads the child club in organising various activities at school, while she is also the captain of a school ‘house’ team, supports juniors in physical exercises during prayer time and monitors to maintain the school discipline. She has discovered that child clubs enable members to excel in knowledge and skills and are a platform to raise children’s voices and support in reducing child marriages. Since being involved in the child club, Poonam has improved her learning achievement at school too.

Poonam aspires to be a nurse later in life and serve the people who are marginalised and living with disability.

Key Highlights

• UMN and its partner provided technical and financial support to develop the local government’s five-year ‘Educational Strategic Plan’. This plan includes childfriendly teaching and learning approaches, as well as Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE).
• We supported the translation of Grade 1, 2 and 3 textbooks into Karmarong, the local language. Currently 12 out of 17 schools are using Grade 1 and 2 textbooks benefiting 164 students, while Grade 3 books will be introduced from this academic year.
• 46 teachers were trained in child-friendly teaching and learning methods.

* Karani Community Development Centre (KCDC)