Sitting in the principal’s office typically has a negative connotation, but this month my team is there every morning for a short worship and prayer meeting before school starts. Our ministry has been to teach and serve in the local village school; a blessing and challenge for various reasons.
On our first morning of teaching, the principal gave us a short history of the school. As he talked we began to ask questions about the education system. In Nepal it is not mandatory to send your children to school; it is also not free to educate your children. Many parents opt out because they cannot afford to pay the school fees. So, what is the alternative?
Marriage.
Well, that answer was enough to send our group into a firestorm of questions. As the principal, whom we call Brother, began to give us more information, my heart broke. If not educated, many children are placed in arranged marriages by their parents. For girls this starts as young as 8 years old, and for boys it starts around the age of 10. The boys will be sent off to work in order to raise money for their new “family,” while the girl continues to live with her parents. A couple of years later the boy will come for his young bride, take her away, and start their life together officially. This practice unfortunately becomes cyclical for many of the Nepalese. And even if the parents wish to make a change, many can’t afford to do so.
But the way to break out is with an education. So, we asked the million dollar question, or should I say the 36 dollar question- because that is all it costs to send a Nepalese child to school for 1 year. When Brother shared this with us, a few of us laughed out loud. We did not laugh because it’s somehow funny; we laughed because we knew there was something we could do about it.
Later that day I was assigned to teach a few classes for Grades 4 and 5. The age range for these grades is between 8 and 12. Looking into their bright eyes and eager faces, it was hard for me to imagine that they may have friends who are currently married- their lives now unable to change. My heart longs for every Nepalese child to actually get to be a child. To go to school, take classes, play at recess, whisper to their friends, and only have to worry about doing homework–not about providing for a family.
The school’s goal is to literally raise up the future leaders of Nepal. They understand just how important an education is to a child. It’s not just for job opportunities, but to teach them that there is more to life than barely surviving.
This month our World Race teams have been able to form a partnership with the school and set up a sponsorship program for the local children. To see all the details on how you can help to sponsor a child, please visit this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1474435346115421/?ref=br_tf
Coming on the Race, I knew I would encounter many heart breaking situations. I am praising the Lord that this is one situation we can immediately start to change.
***This sponsorship program is in no way affiliated with the World Race or AIM.***
