Our Mission
Empower girls through quality education so that we can eradicate child marriage, end gender inequality, and enable a more equitable & prosperous Nepal
The Challenge
Poverty has many causes, but too often the biggest victims are women and girls, and without access to education, the cycle of poverty and discrimination continues for generations of the poorest girls and women in places like Nepal.
Due to economic challenges for many families in Nepal, Girls, especially ones from rural areas, are forced to drop out of school to support their family. By dropping out of school, these girls miss out on education and any opportunity to change the course of their future.
Nepal | Facts & Figures
%
Female Youth Literacy rate in Nepal
%
Child marriage from 15-18 years
56,883
Girls out of Primary School
1,200
Women die every year giving birth
The Solution
The girls who are often the biggest victims of poverty are in fact the most important agents of change in solving those issues. Educating a girl is considered one of the greatest investment for any nation, especially underdeveloped nations like Nepal. Learn about Rukmini's unique approach to tackling these issues through our Holistic programs.
Quality Education
An educated girl has the power to transform her life. It gives her the foundation to make her own choices and gives her a voice to speak for herself. A quality education prepares her for future academic opportunities as well as economic opportunities.
Health & Wellness
Along with a quality education and mentoring, Rukmini Foundation also provides the girls with routine check-ups and health education so that they and their families can remain healthy and secure.
Mentoring
Simply being able to go to school is not enough. The girls need to believe in themselves and their huge potential. We ensure this by providing supportive mentoring from elder sisters (Didis) who guide the girls through the challenges of school and home and help to build their esteem and confidence.
Our Results
Despite the many challenges we face, our team has been able to produce extraodinary results. The successes are attributed to many factors, including: support from community leaders, great partnership with local organizations in Nepal, engagement with parents, and the tireless work of our team in Nepal. Last, but certainly not least, the courage and dedication of the Rukmini Scholars has led to some amazing results.
Success by the numbers
So, how successful have we been in addressing these huge challenges? Just see for yourself how much your support has allowed us to do since 2011.
%
of our scholars have either remained in school or graduated.
In just 5 years, we have been able to help ensure that 24 girls have graduated from high school through our programs.
Provided training to 40 Teachers from this area
Mentors covered 78 Miles visiting Scholar's Home
The Faces of Hope
Get to know the girls who are forging a new path for their lives through education. Learn about their families, their interests, and the challenges they are trying to overcome.
Success Story
Susmita was one of the 10 original Rukmini Scholars and came from an impoverished background. Being one of the first scholars, she had a difficult time seeing the value of things like the mentoring (Didi) program and the many extracurricular programs that Rukmini organized at school.
After graduating from high school and joining a 10+2 school, Susmita began to see what she was missing by not being involved in the mentoring programs. Luckily for us, Susmita is now working as a mentor to new scholars and helping them see the importance of having a mentor.
In the last 5 years, Susmita has not only completed high school, but she is pursuing a Bacherlor’s Degree at Shikharapur College. She will also serve as a coordinator of our afterschool program called LitClub Nepal at Shikharapur School.
When I first became a Rukmini Scholar, I could hardly smile and talk in front of others, but now I can speak in front of groups and I cannot stop smiling.
Recent News
When a Didi’s Story Becomes Our Lesson
In May, Pabitra Ghimire inspired our girls with her story of rising after failure. This month, another remarkable woman stepped into the Didi role. Ms. Prabina Amatya, President of Nepal US Almonanin Network Organization, visited Kalidevi Secondary School to share her personal journey.
She spoke of dreaming big, managing time, using technology responsibly, and leading with confidence. Her words lit a fire in our students, reminding them that every mother’s sacrifice deserves a daughter who dares to lead. The legacy of mentorship continues—one Didi, one story, one empowered girl at a time.
Seeing Impact Up Close: My Time with Rukmini Foundation
I had the opportunity to visit Nepal for three weeks and volunteer with theRukmini Foundation (RF) through All People Be Happy (APBH), one of RFs partnerships organizations. I was initially interested in volunteering with RF because of their work in supporting women and children in health and education aligning with my own personal interests, and it was exciting to get on the ground and actually see how their work impacts their community. The Rukmini Foundation serves to empower girls in Nepal through education. There seems to be a big focus on public and community health and well-being. Through community engagement and various mentorship programs, the Rukmini Foundation provides young girls with access to education, mentorship, healthcare education, leadership skills, and the confidence to know that they can do anything they want to do.
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