Saurabi Rai, a 15-year-old girl, was born in Bhaktapur to Mamata Rai and Ram Kumar Rai, Nepal. The eldest of three siblings – all girls -, she grew up in an abusive and tumultuous household. In a society where the social pressure to have sons is deeply entrenched, the disappointment of her father, combined with alcoholism and a violent behavior, put Saurai and her sisters through hell for many years.
The lack of financial resources forced Saurabi to leave her boarding school, keeping her out of school for a year. When her mother remarried and left the family, Saurabi and her siblings had to endure their father’s worsening abuse alone. Despite her mother’s attempt to seek help from authorities, societal pressures and fear prevented her from taking legal action.
Saurabi’s life reached a critical point when her father’s behavior became increasingly dangerous. She and her younger siblings faced constant abuse and threats of of harassment. Despite limited resources, her maternal grandparents and aunt Pragya stepped in to offer support. Pragya, who was already receiving assistance from the Bhuvaneshwori Satyal Foundation (BSF), connected Saurabi to her counselor. The latter, aware of the urgency of the situation, reached out to our local partner Opportunity Village Nepal (OVN) for intervention.
Following a detailed assessment and home visits, OVN acted swiftly to rescue Saurabi and her siblings. The children were placed in safe environments, with Saurabi’s two younger sisters being taken to an OVN-run children’s home in Hemja, where they received the care they needed. Saurabi herself was moved to a welcoming center offering a safe, loving, and non-judgemental environment.
OVN’s intervention changed Saurabi’s life forever. Removed from an abusive and neglectful home, she began her journey of emotional and psychological healing. OVN also facilited her re-enrollment in school, helping make her dream of continuing her education a reality. Since joining the OVN family in 2021, when she was just 11 years old, Saurabi has received holistic support, which helped her grow in both her academic and personal life.
OVN’s counseling and empowerment programs enabled Saurabi to reclaim her self-esteem. They helped her to express her thoughts, aspirations, and fears openly and trust herself again. In addition to emotional support, OVN development skills program taught her how to craft bracelets and bags and started taking on leadership roles both in school and in her community.
Today, at 15 years old, Saurabi Rai is as a model of resilience and determination. She is currently excelling academically as a grade 10 student at Guhyeshwori Bal Sikshya Secondary School in Thapathali, Kathmandu and receives support from OVN to cover tuition fees, uniforms, textbooks and travel expenses. Her dedication extends beyond academics: she recently moderated an international session on the occasion of the World Day of the Girl Child and felt deeply proud to make her voice heard.
As she prepares for her Secondary Education Examination (SEE), Saurabi dreams of getting a scholarship to continue studying. Aspiring to become a successful businesswoman, she remains determined to be a voice for vulnerable children and women facing violence and abuse.
Every girl deserves to feel safe, dream freely and access quality education. GSIF, in collaboration with OVN, is committed to empowering girls in Nepal and beyond, enabling them to become actors of their own lives and unlock their full potential!
