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Heifer Maeul Library Opens at Shree Janajyoti School, Sindhuli, Celebrating a Milestone in Girls’ Education

-By Shahira Thapa

Heifer Nepal is excited to share about the inauguration of the Heifer Maeul Library, a community library dedicated to empowering the girls and women of Shree Janajyoti Secondary School and the surrounding community in Phosretar, Sindhuli on 10th February, 2025. This milestone represents a significant advancement in Heifer’s Girl Child Education (GCE) Project, equipping young girls with knowledge, resources, and opportunities to shape their futures. As our second vibrant community library, the Heifer Maeul Library strengthens educational opportunities within both the school and the broader community, furthering our commitment to empowering girls and women through education.

Bridging the Educational Gap

The Heifer Maeul Library is more than just a collection of books—it is a vibrant hub for learning, growth, and empowerment. With over 500 books, the library offers resources for students ranging from early childhood education to higher secondary levels. Its collection spans a broad range of genres, including stories, rhymes, self-help, science, health, motivation, environment, math, personal safety (such as “good touch, bad touch”), memoirs, poetry, culture, history, life lessons, biographies, facts, novels, economics, language, comics, autobiographies, general knowledge, and literature focused on women, agriculture, animal husbandry, agro-livestock and more.

This invaluable educational resource is especially crucial in schools located in rural areas, where access to quality learning materials has traditionally been limited, particularly for girls who face significant barriers to education. While notable progress has been made, education outside urban areas in Nepal still faces challenges related to infrastructure, quality, and accessibility. Targeted efforts are needed to ensure every child has access to quality education, especially in government schools. Nishma Devkota, an eighth-grade student and recipient of the GCE scholarship at Shree Janajyoti, expressed her excitement about the new library, saying, “I’m eager to read a lot of books and even plan to bring my mother here so she can enjoy the books too.”  The library bridges these gaps by equipping students with essential learning tools and opportunities.

The library also supports the Korea-Nepal Dairy Training Program for Young Professionals, an initiative led by Heifer Nepal and Heifer Korea which equips youth with valuable dairy farming skills. The library serves as a key resource, offering access to books and insights on the program for both students and teachers, fostering both local and global learning. As part of Heifer’s commitment to sustainable livelihoods, the library is integral to the Model Dairy Village, empowering youth by equipping them with knowledge to improve their families’ economic prospects and reduce migration for work. The Korea-Nepal Dairy Training Program for Young Professionals, launched alongside the library, provides practical dairy farming skills, creating career opportunities and fostering sustainable livelihoods in the community.

“We aim to pass on our knowledge through this program and hope the school continues it in the future. This will be our way of passing on the gift of knowledge,” says Balgopal Sigdel, Agricultural Engineer and Project Officer at Heifer Nepal’s Model Dairy Village, who will also be leading the training at the school.

A Global Partnership Making a Difference

The success of the Heifer Maeul Library is a testament to the power of partnership and collaboration. We sincerely thank Heifer International Korea for securing funding from LG Electronics, Yonsei University Dairy, and Paju Dairy Clinic of Seoul Dairy Co-operative.Their generous support has turned a vision into reality, equipping the next generation of learners with the resources they need to thrive. We also sincerely thank everyone who contributed to making this library a success.

The library was officially inaugurated on the 53rd anniversary of Shree Janajyoti Secondary School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. Kamalamai Municipality Mayor Upendra Kumar Pokhrel and Dr. Kim Junhee from Paju Dairy Clinic inaugurated the library. Local officials, parents, community members, teachers, and students attended the inauguration, highlighting a shared commitment to education and community development. The library now stands as a valuable resource for the future.

Yogendra Prasad Adhikari, Principal of the school, expressed his gratitude, stating, “When we welcomed Heifer on our school’s 52nd anniversary, we had the opportunity to share our need for a library. We are sincerely grateful that our request was met, and the library was inaugurated on our 53rd anniversary, making this occasion even more special. We look forward to making the best use of this valuable resource to benefit our students and the community.”

Be a Part of the Change

Heifer Maeul Library, a part of  the Girl Child Education (GCE) Project, is a beacon of hope, empowering young girls with knowledge and opportunities for a brighter future beyond just books, computers, library management systems, and furniture.

Every book, every lesson, and every opportunity brings us closer to a future where every girl can learn, grow, and thrive. With just NPR 10,000, you can support a girl’s education for an entire year, providing her with essential school supplies and the chance to build a better life.

Join us in this transformative mission. Your support can change lives, create opportunities, and spark a ripple effect of positive change for generations to come.
For more information or to make a contribution, get in touch with us!