Skills training transforms girl’s life
Sushmita has transformed her life thanks to skills training, and she is using her income to provide a better future for her family.
Sushmita in her office.
After completing 10th grade at secondary school, Sushmita moved to Pokhara, a well-known tourist resort in Nepal, with her elder sister in search of a promising future. She hoped to quickly find a job so she could help her large family and support her youngest brother’s education costs. But this was not as easy as she had imagined.
Growing up a small village in Sindhuli district, Sushmita’s parents struggled to raise their 6 children from the little income they made farming. Sushmita had to cover her own education costs by working in the fields to earn an extra income.
When the sisters reached Pokhara, Sushmita started to search for a job. However, she found it difficult to compete in the job market with no work experience or computer skills. Without any money to pay for computer classes, she was unable to obtained the skills she needed to find work.
Skills training provides opportunities
A few weeks after arriving in the city, Sushmita learnt about a free training course in receptionist and cashier skills run by an organisation called Right4Children who are working in partnership with Plan International.
“I immediately went to the office, filled in and submitted an application form. Within a few days, I received a call letting me know that I had been selected for the training,” Sushmita explains.
Sushmita started her training and was also invited to attend additional classes in subjects such as English language, counselling, life skills, and protection from violence. But the course that she was most excited to attend was in computer skills. “It was a dream come true for me to receive training on the subject that I had always wanted to learn, but had never been able to.”
Following her training, Sushmita took part in practical on-the-job work experience and has now found work as a receptionist in a security office. “At the beginning, I earnt Rs. 10,000 (€77) per month. Now, it has increased to NRs. 15,000 (€116),” she tells us.
Income transforms family life
“After receiving my first salary, I was over the moon. It paved the way for me to continue my education and I have since passed 12th grade. In addition to my work as a receptionist, I have been also given the responsibility of handling the office accounts,” explains Sushmita, who is now 21.
“I saw a lot of changes in myself after attending the training. My mentor helped me to build my self-confidence and I also developed my conversation skills. The on-the-job training also helped me find my job placement.”
Sushmita is now able to send money home to support her family in Sindhuli, particularly for her younger brother whose education expenses she has been covering so he can continue his schooling.
“This has brought tremendous happiness to my family,” Sushmita says.
About the project
Right4Children is implementing the Promoting Young Women in Employment in Pokhara project with funding and technical support from Plan International. The project aims to equip young women with marketable skills and help them to make the most of emerging job opportunities.
Right4Children is implementing the project in close coordination and collaboration with private sector training providers. The project aims to train 800 young women like Sushmita in marketable job skills, life skills, basic computer skills, and basic English language so they can find decent paid employment.
Skills and work, Lifeskills training, Livelihoods, Vocational training
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