Breaking through barriers
In far-western Nepal, a caregiver finds new direction and support in navigating her child’s special needs thanks to a parenting education programme supported by UNICEF
Kailali, Nepal: Rita Devi Chaudhary, a resident of Kailari Rural Municipality in Kailali District in far-western Nepal, recalls spending the better part of her son’s early years of life at a complete loss as to how to care for him. Little Sahil’s troubles had started soon after his birth: At just one week of age, he was diagnosed with jaundice. Although he recovered from that following treatment, again, at nine months old, he caught typhoid.
This became a pattern. “He caught typhoid time and again after that,” Rita says. “He would also suddenly get fevers and faint.”
Then, when he turned one, Sahil could no longer support himself on his legs.
“We took him to get checked a few times, but the doctors did not give us a clear idea of what exactly was wrong with him, or what to do,” Rita says.
Besides the uncertainty, Rita and husband Basanta were also struggling to pay for the hospital visits and tests on their meagre earnings as wage labourers. “We could not continue.”
And so, without proper healthcare, Sahil’s condition did not improve, and he simply languished at home. While his older brother Rohit was going to school regularly, Rita was reluctant to enroll Sahil.
UNICEF Nepal/2024/SShrestha
“I was doing everything for him – feeding him, washing him, taking him to the toilet.”
“I couldn’t imagine that the teachers at the school would be able to do all that … so even though he was already of age, I didn’t want to send him.”
That was until Rita met with a female community health volunteer (FCHV) who was facilitating a parenting education programme that was being carried out by Kailari Rural Municipality with technical support from Seto Gurans National Child Development Services in partnership with UNICEF, – made possible through generous funding from the Swiss National Committee for UNICEF.
The FCHV had talked to Rita at length, learned about Sahil’s situation and challenges.
At the end of the conversation, she had invited the young mother to join the session
Rita, initially unsure of what to expect, found herself actually enjoying and interested in the class.The training focused on child rights, care, protection and stimulation, with intensive discussions on early childhood development and learning.
“I learned a lot about children, how they should be taken care of, effective ways to communicate with our little ones, how to speak to them with tenderness, how we should not punish them,” Rita says. “It has been beneficial for my son, myself, all of us.”
For Rita, it was the first time she felt like she had a sense of direction as Sahil’s parent. This included feeling empowered and encouraged to send him to school, understanding that this could help to not only foster interaction and social skills, but unlock his overall potential.
And that has come true in more ways than one. Ever since he has started attending the early childhood education and development (ECED) center at the Shree Janasewa Basic School, Sahil – now seven years old – has been making consistent progress.
“At first, he found it hard to communicate with others. When we talked to him, he could not respond properly, he couldn't answer any of our questions,” says ECED teacher Bhagwati Chaudhary.
“Now, however, he's very active and lively. He plays with the other children, and communicates well with others around him.
UNICEF Nepal/2024/SShrestha
“There is a particular toy where you have to string pieces together… He was not able to do it properly at first,” Bhagwati says. “Today, he is doing it.”
Bhagwati is also happy to see the slow but steady advances he has made in various classroom activities. Even at home, Sahil is much more active than before, playing with other children, eager to do any homework, and happy to shadow his mother around.
“Before, he used to be afraid to talk to anyone. Now, he chatters away all day,” Rita says, with a smile on her face. “We've seen a lot of improvement.”
