Little Sisters Fund and Wedu Partner to Increase Leadership Development and Higher Education Opportunities for Young Women in Nepal

Little Sisters Fund is pleased to announce a new partnership with Wedu to extend and deepen support for young women in Nepal.  Little Sisters Fund, which provides scholarships and holistic support for at-risk and economically disadvantaged girls, will serve as a “Talent Spotter” for Wedu’s Rising Stars program.

“We are thrilled to partner with Wedu, as our missions and work stem from many of the same values,” said Trevor Patzer, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Little Sisters Fund.  “Mentoring, leadership development, and education are three critical components for girls and women to be able to empower themselves.  Little Sisters Fund focuses on girls in grades 1–12, while Wedu works with young women in university, so the there is tremendous complementarity between the two organizations.

As a Talent Spotter, Little Sisters Fund will leverage deep in-country knowledge and a network of more than 80 partner schools to direct qualified young women to Wedu’ application process, provide recommendations, and assist Wedu in the selection of “Rising Stars”.  Once selected, Rising Stars are matched with a mentor, participate in a leadership development program, and have the opportunity to apply for financial assistance to support higher studies. 

Already, one graduate of the Little Sisters Fund has been selected to participate in the Rising Stars program: Pooja, who graduated from Little Sisters Fund in 2011.    

“Little Sisters Fund provided me the opportunity to study and accomplish my dreams,” said Pooja.  “Now, I completed my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and I work as an administrative assistant in an NGO that works against human trafficking. I want to do my master’s as soon as possible so that I will set an example to my society that even girls can become leaders, they can study and change the society towards development.”

About Little Sisters Fund
The Little Sisters Fund supports economically disadvantaged girls in Nepal to become educated, empowered leaders. By investing in at-risk girls with long-term scholarships, Little Sisters Fund fights the injustices of child trafficking, child marriage, and child labor. Complementary programs that span mentoring, quality education, health, and community support ensure girls not only have access to school, but can succeed there and beyond.   Established in 1998, the Little Sisters Fund has grown from a single scholarship to currently serve more than 1,900 girls through nine programs. Little Sisters Fund graduates are nurses, journalists, teachers, engineers, leaders in their communities, and proud mentors to the next generation of Little Sisters. For more information or to find out how you can support a girl’s education, please visit www.littlesistersfund.org.

About Wedu
Founded in 2012, Wedu is a leadership development organisation that aims to unlock the leadership potential of young women in Asia, enabling them to become leaders of their own development and that of their community. Wedu achieves this mission by offering mentorship and innovative financing options for completing university education to high potential women (‘Rising Stars’). Together, mentorship and education give young women the tools to realize their full leadership potential and goals.

Wedu works with young women throughout Asia, with a focus on underserved communities, who exhibit strong leadership qualities. Each Rising Star is individually matched with a committed mentor who works with her to create the conditions and develop the skills necessary to help her achieve her goal of effecting social change.

Website: www.weduglobal.org
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