15 years, Little Sister Siddika loves coming to school. Five years ago, she was almost pulled out of school due to extreme poverty ar her family. Big Sisters (Community volunteer) helped her through mentoring and bring her back to school. Here’s a journey of Siddika from dropping-out-of-school to now becoming a role model in her peer as a Peer group leader at an English and Digital for Girls’ Education (EDGE). 

I am currently studying in grade 10 in Kali devi secondary school, Siddalek Dhading Nepal. I wake up at 5 in the morning and do all the house chores before getting ready for school. As we do not have road access in my village, I walk to school for two hours every day passing by the forest. My parents wanted me to stay back at home as I had to do the house chores and look after my younger siblings. One day Big Sister came to my home and met my parents. She was trying to convince them to send me to the school regularly as I was missing my class most of the time. My parents were not in a mood to listen to her as they were struggling with our daily expenses for seven of us. We hardly had enough food for all and school stationery and dresses were behind imagination. Big Sister introduced me to the project “Sisters for Sisters’ Education in Nepal which provided me with school dress, notebooks and stationery all that I needed to continue my education. I was extremely happy to receive them and go back to school regularly. Once a week Big Sister provided mentoring support to me at home and school. She used to check my attendance at school and helped me do my subjects. I felt very comfortable being with my Big Sister as she was very helpful to me. In a very short time, she became part of my family. 

At school, I was encouraged to take part in extracurricular activities. I was very shy to ask any question to my teachers but after taking part in different training I boosted my confidence and self-esteem. I became one of the well-performing students at school. Big Sister helped me to listen to my friends' issues and help them cope with different challenges. 

I have joined the EDGE club as a peer-group-leader (PGL) where I coach club members ( my friends) learn using laptops and English lessons. The more I coach them, the more I learn new things and they come up with different questions while using the laptop. This is where I saw the laptop for the first time. I can write about my self and do PowerPoint presentation about the changes in my life. 

My five friends got married at a very early age. Legally, we are allowed to marry at 20. But I will marry only when I complete my education and I am financially independent. I also tell the same to the rest of the girls at my school. 

As a little sister and PGL I feel responsible for helping girls who cannot continue their education. I try to listen to their cause for not being able to come to school regularly. These days we also visit their home and talk with the parents requesting them to send daughters to school. In my school, I fee prioritised by everyone. I feel very happy when people know me and say that I am very smart and outspoken. What excites me the most is to see the happiest eyes of my mother. I feel like I am also living her dream as I am able to access quality education. All thanks to my big sister and the project Sisters for Sisters’ Education in Nepal who supported girls like me to access education and increase our self-esteem. I do not want to miss my school for a day. In future, I want to study law as my higher education and make my parents prouder.

Sisters for Sisters' project is funded by UK Aid through the Girls’ Education Challenge window. The project is led by VSO with implementing partners Aasaman Nepal in Surkhet, Lamjung, Dhading and Parsa districts of Nepal. British Council and Mercy Corps also serve as collaboration and resource partners on the project.