From menstrual hygiene to financial literacy and digital literacy, the KISHORI project has paved the way for a brighter future for Stuti Sapkota. Currently, in the eleventh grade, Stuti was a student at Tri-Padma Vidyashram Secondary School, Pulchowk, and largely considered herself an average student, however, her dedication to studies and her drive to excel was anything but. 

With strained economic conditions, she often watched her parents leave early in the morning and return late at night, their faces etched with fatigue. Witnessing their struggles ignited a desire within Stuti to make them proud and bring joy to their lives. 

KISHORI: A Hope for Stuti 

It was a challenging time for her, with very few opportunities to learn, but during this, she got into the KISHORI project by the Shequal Foundation. She has exclaimed that the project has been a beacon for her toward a brighter future, through which she has earned the skills that have made her a confident young woman. 

In its wide range of topics, the KISHORI project has guided Stuti about menstrual hygiene and how to take care of herself during her periods and counseled her on how to mentally deal with the situation to make her truly comfortable with her body. 

The financial literacy chapters of the program were eye-opening to her, as she was exposed to knowledge, she didn’t even know she needed to traverse her career. Bank transactions share markets, tax-related transactions, provident funds, sales and service tax, income tax, and much more. These were things that she wouldn’t have learned otherwise, and they equipped her with the tools needed to navigate the challenges of the world. 

“I have enjoyed every moment of the program, and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity,” Stuti said with a smile. “The Kishori project has been a game-changer in my life, and I am confident that I will go on to achieve great things.” 

Life after KISHORI 

Now with the comfort of understanding what goes on with her body and how to deal with it in a healthy way during her periods, Stuti aims to get past her current limitations and put the financial literacy she gained from the KISHORI project to use. She aims to pursue business opportunities and explore ideas about how to bring that business into her hometown so that everyone can flourish. 

She wants to work with the other young women in the program as well, as their camaraderie helped each of them learn and grow better. “I will use the knowledge and skills I have gained through this program to create a bright future for myself and my family,” she vowed. “Thank you, Shequal Foundation, for empowering me and many other young women like me.” 

The challenges ahead are many, but Stuti is ready to face them head-on, armed with the knowledge and skills she has gained from the KISHORI project. The future looks bright for Stuti, and she is determined to shine.