The Girls’ Club at Kopila Valley School began in 2015 with a simple but powerful goal: create a space where girls could feel safe, heard, and supported—and learn how to support one another in return.

The reason for this club? In rural Nepal, girls face real barriers to staying in school—from early marriage and household labor expectations to menstruation stigma and lack of facilities. Girls from the lowest-income families are among the least likely to reach Grade 10, and in Karnali Province where we live, girls are significantly less likely than boys to complete lower secondary school. When girls stay in school, they tend to marry later, have healthier outcomes, and gain greater financial independence—creating ripple effects for families and communities.

That first year, 13 students joined together to shape what would become a lasting part of student life at Kopila Valley.

The club was launched with encouragement from Maggie, who invited Thea Dekker—daughter of our Chief of Staff, Ruth Dekker—to come to Kopila Valley and help get the club started. Over the years, the Girls’ Club has been lovingly cared for and guided by a team of dedicated mentors, including Meelan Karki, former Health and Wellness Program Head; Aanchal Dutt, English teacher and gender equality advocate; and Poonam Pokhrel, current Associate Manager of the Health and Wellness Program. 

Student leadership has passed naturally from older students to younger ones, with girls “passing the torch” as they graduate. For many years, our nonprofit partner She’s the First helped to strengthen the club with their curriculum materials and funding. To date, around 40 girls have been part of the Girls’ Club community.

At its heart, the Girls’ Club is about confidence, connection, and leadership. Members have led peer-to-peer sessions and schoolwide awareness conversations on topics like gender equality, consent and boundaries, the importance of menstrual hygiene, the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for newborns, and reproductive health—helping normalize conversations that are often difficult but deeply important.

Girls are empowering themselves to speak in front of their community, share their thoughts, and build confidence. This all happens alongside creating space for mindfulness, self-care, and well-being.

Today, the Girls’ Club continues to offer girls a safe and affirming space to grow into their voices. Most recently, the Girls’ Club hosted a talk on body positivity, reminding everyone how powerful it is when we lift each other up, spread smiles, and shine together. After the conversation, the room filled with laughter, games, songs, and even a little dance party—a joyful celebration of sisterhood in action.

When women and girls support one another, something lasting is built: friendships, confidence, and supportive cohorts that carry far beyond the classroom. The Girls’ Club is one small but meaningful way our students are shaping a more caring, equitable community—starting with each other.