Testimonials
My Journey to Finding My Voice, Freedom, and Future
When I was in school, joining the Journalism Club became one of the most transformative moments of my life. It wasn’t just an activity, it was the spark that helped me discover my voice, build my confidence, and understand the power of making my own decisions. Through every article I wrote and every discussion I took part in, I learned how to express myself, stand my ground, and believe in the strength of my dreams.
During those years, I faced a challenge that could have changed my life forever. My parents wanted me to get married right after my 10th grade. It was a moment of fear, confusion, and pressure. But because of the confidence I gained through journalism, I found the courage to refuse. I stood up for my education, and I convinced my parents that learning was important not just for a career, but for my independence, my dignity, and my future.
I will always be grateful to Vanessa Sister, who opened our eyes to the true meaning of freedom. She taught us that girls can progress, grow, and empower themselves when they are educated. She reminded us that true freedom comes from financial independence, only then can a woman make her own decisions, raise her voice, and build her life on her own terms.
Today, I stand proudly as a BTech graduate. I have completed my graduation, and every step of this journey reminds me of the strength it took to fight for my education. My degree isn’t just a certificate; it is a symbol of courage, persistence, and the belief that girls deserve the right to dream and achieve.
I hope my story inspires every girl to stand up for her rights, to believe in the power of education, and to never give up, because your dreams are worth fighting for, and your freedom begins the moment you choose yourself.
- Laxmi, journalism program student, Nepal
A Chance to be the Woman I’ve Always Wanted to Be
My name is Pratima Khatri and I have been part of Girl Reports since its inception at the Karuna Girls School in Lumbini, Nepal in 2015. I was in class seven (7th grade) when I joined the team, and my journey of learning with the organization, through today, has been incredibly amazing.
Girl Reports has played very crucial role in shaping me. My friends and I were given the chance to learn many skills through the journalism program - we learned to use computers, to speak better English, interviewing skills, article writing, and basic photographic skills. Directly and indirectly, these skills have helped me and have made a positive impact in my life.
Personally, even in times of difficulty, the knowledge learnt from the Girl Reports team helped me to feel strong emotionally. The journalism program made us self-aware. It helped us to realize the value of our voices and taught us that it is possible to stand up for oneself. Knowingly or unknowingly, it helped me to choose to be warrior rather than one who simply suffers.
Today, I still live in Lumbini and I am in the final year of my bachelor’s degree in business. I have always dreamt of being a strong independent woman, and the means of achieving that reality, as I imagined it, has always been entrepreneurship. In fact, from a very early age, I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I used to think that entrepreneurship would not only give me the independence I wanted, but along with that, it would also help me to create job opportunities to empower other women. This wonderful initiative of Girl Reports, of empowering women through business and entrepreneurship, is giving me the chance to be the woman I always wanted to be.
- Pratima, journalism program student, Nepal, entrepreneur, enterprise program, Nepal
