Unwrapped in Action: Changing young lives in Nepal

If you've ever chosen an Oxfam Unwrapped charity gift, this is your impact in motion. Your support helps fight poverty and inequality in real, tangible ways – creating opportunities and driving positive change around the world.

Last year alone, Unwrapped invested a massive £740,000 into vital projects. Gifters like you continue to make a real difference. I wanted to show you what that looks like on the ground – starting with a powerful project in Nepal that has enabled young people to gain new skills, build confidence, aim high and help shape their communities.

In Nepal, we’re working with our partners to end inequality and fight social injustice in a number of ways. One of the projects I find really inspiring has been set up by partners Yuwalaya and the Women Association for Marginalised Women (WAM), who – together with our incredible team at Oxfam Nepal – have led initiatives that empower young people to achieve their goals and dreams through business training, peer connection, and engagement with local government. £50,000 from Oxfam Unwrapped helped make it all possible.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, young people in Nepal faced heightened challenges, with limited opportunities and increased marginalisation – especially among those from disadvantaged communities. But today, nothing should be holding them back. That’s why Oxfam Unwrapped and partners have helped fund business and financial classes, build youth-led networks and encourage young people to get more involved in politics through internships and youth councils. All of these things help raise the voices of young people, boost confidence and resilience – and increase the chances of achieving lasting change.

Sangita B.K., (pictured above) an 18-year-old high school student, knows first-hand how impactful projects like this can be. Already financially independent, she’s an incredibly inspiring example of the power of financial literacy and entrepreneurship – and the strength and resilience of her community. “I cover my school expenses, including stationery and tuition fees, from my own income,” she says proudly.

Sangita achieved this by going to classes delivered with our partners, learning about financial management and business planning. Set on running her own beauty parlour, Sangita worked up an impressive business plan and received a grant of NPR 450,000 (around £2,350) enabling her to attend beautician training – and launch her business.

Now, alongside studying, Sangita manages her beauty parlour and trains two aspiring beauticians too. Coming from a low-income family, she appreciates what this means. “Had it not been for the project, I would not have been able to support my family. The project has helped enhance the capacity of young people like us and made us financially independent.”

The great thing is, investing in young people’s development is also investing in lasting change. Sangita’s story is not just about one young woman’s success – it’s about the potential unlocked when young people have the tools and opportunities to lead. And her story is one of many. Here are just some of the ways supporters like you are having an impact, helping young people – most of them young women – via this game-changing project...

Boosting skills isn’t the only way this project is empowering the next generation in Nepal. Oxfam partners are also helping influence local authorities, encouraging them to support youth-focused initiatives and ensure the voices of young people are heard.

Getting local government to commit to supporting youth leadership has been challenging. But real progress has been made. Collaboration and understanding between local government and young people have improved and exciting changes are happening. Thanks to the project…

• Formal local youth councils are now part of the structure of three municipalities
• New policy and youth council guidelines have been established in four municipalities
• Youth clubs have been formed in 34 wards, and youth networks in four municipalities
• Internships in local government have been provided for 16 young people, giving them invaluable insight into political structure and how local government works

Whether it’s through such crucial support, training or pushing for political change, standing with young people – especially young women – means we’re not only supporting them to overcome poverty. We are also empowering the next generation of changemakers, able to reshape their communities from the ground up.

Oxfam Unwrapped continues to fund vital projects like this, uniting like-minded people like you who want to fight poverty and inequality and be part of positive global change. We look forward to sharing more of our progress and stories with you.

*Whilst the overarching project was funded through a government donor to Oxfam, Unwrapped provided the vital additional investment needed to deliver it. A huge thank you to all of our Unwrapped supporters for helping make this possible.