Bamboo’s New Strength: Educating Nepal’s Youth

In Nepal, many families have relied on traditional bamboo huts for generations. Though these homes are part of the local heritage, the constant maintenance they require, combined with extreme weather and the ever-present fear of eviction, creates a sense of insecurity that touches every aspect of life, including education. Children struggle to study in cramped, temporary shelters that offer minimal comfort or security. Without a stable home, even basic tasks like homework become challenging, and focusing on education and hygiene remains an uphill battle.

Education on shaky ground

Approximately 770,000 children aged 5-12 remain out of school in Nepal, while access to early childhood education is limited, with only 51% of young children enrolled in these foundational programs. For children from low-income families, who often live on land more prone to disaster, the barriers are even greater; only 12% are reaching expected literacy and numeracy rates, compared to 65% from more wealthy backgrounds. These issues are closely linked to poverty and inadequate housing, conditions that impact nearly half of Nepal’s population and pose significant obstacles to educational access and equity.

In the face of these challenges, stability is the foundation for change—starting with a safe place to call home. When families no longer have to worry about collapsing walls or flooded floors, children can focus on their education, and communities can start to build a better future. For Pinky, her newfound stability has been life-changing. She now volunteers as a teacher in her community. In a recent interview, she explained the positive impact this has brought to her and the children: