Over a million children in Nepal are estimated to be in child labor, including around 60,000 in brick kilns, one of the worst and most hazardous forms of child labor. ESDO has implemented programs reaching thousands of children through Bridge Schools located on-site at brick kilns. Bridge Schools bring migrant children who live seasonally at kilns with parents, who are often bonded workers, into the school system.
Education in Every Home (ESDO) works on the ground on solutions to end debt bondage and human trafficking, ensure decent work conditions, and create an exploitation-free work environment. We have implemented programs across Nepal to benefit vulnerable laborers and incentivize positive change by local entrepreneurs and communities.
We train women and youth in the tools to start and succeed in micro-businesses and increase their career options. Women have learned shoe making, pickle making, carpet weaving, basketry and other handicrafts, along with financial skills to make a go of their businesses. Youth have been trained as paralegals and community journalists, increasing individual opportunities while expanding the community’s access to the media and legal system. Women’s savings groups and local cooperatives have gained skills to enable their members to save for the future and take small loans to start businesses.
We train women and vulnerable communities on reproductive health, gender violence, nutrition, COVID response, and other critical health and safety issues.
ESDO’s early childhood programs give disadvantaged children a head start and enable rural women to work outside the home to improve their financial status and self-reliance.
We bring people together to find practical, localized ways to improve inclusion, heal and protect our environment, and create sustainable communities that are positive for people and the planet.