Sarita's story: From project participant to coordinator

The EmpowHER project by Horyzon and the local partner organization YWCA Nepal supports young women in Nepal in strengthening their social skills, acquiring knowledge and actively sharing it in their community. A central aim of the project is to encourage young women to raise their voices and take responsibility.

One of these young women is Sarita, a 19-year-old from Chandragiri, a community in the Kathmandu Valley. Although Chandragiri is close to the capital, living conditions there remain challenging. There is no public transportation, and it takes Sarita about three hours on foot to reach the local government office. Most residents rely on subsistence farming to meet their daily needs. Sarita belongs to the indigenous Tamang community and often faces discrimination — both because of her ethnicity and because she is a young woman. But she has never let these barriers hold her back.

From an early age, Sarita showed initiative. At school, she participated in speech competitions — her voice was strong, but her opportunities were limited. That changed when a teacher, who was also an active member of the local community, told her about the workshops offered through the EmpowHER project. Curious and motivated, Sarita joined an initial training designed to build social skills. The workshops covered a range of topics, from human rights to mental health and effective communication. What impressed her most was the participatory approach: instead of passive lectures, the training focused on open discussion and shared learning. This helped her not only expand her knowledge, but also build confidence. After completing the workshop, Sarita returned to her former school to lead a session on human rights. The positive feedback she received encouraged her to run a second workshop on stress management. But this was only the beginning. Sarita went on to join a local group for young women — a safe space for open dialogue and mutual support. She also began accompanying other girls from her community to make sure they could participate in the EmpowHER trainings too.

Today, Sarita works for YWCA Nepal in Chandragiri. She coordinates local EmpowHER activities, organizes meetings for young women, and helps raise awareness about different issues. She is now a key point of contact for both her community and YWCA Nepal. While she receives financial support for her role through the Horyzon project, she also volunteers. For Sarita, the greatest reward is not the money — it’s the respect she earns from her community and the knowledge she can share. Sarita is a powerful example of how, with the right support, young women can realize their potential and become drivers of change in their communities.