Navjyoti Centre in Surkhet, Nepal, is a unit of Nepal Nazareth Society under Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Navjyoti Centre is dedicated to the holistic development and empowerment of marginalized communities, particularly focusing on education, health, and social welfare. Established with a mission to uplift the socio-economic conditions of the underprivileged, the Centre operates with a vision of creating a society where every individual has access to meet their fundamental needs and opportunities for growth.

Navjyoti focuses on various areas of society’s development.  

Education: The Navjyoti Centre strongly emphasizes providing quality education to children from impoverished backgrounds. It runs several programs aimed at increasing literacy rates, improving educational infrastructure, and providing scholarships to deserving students. The Centre believes education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty and ensuring sustainable development.  

Health and Sanitation: Health initiatives at the Navjyoti Centre include organizing medical camps, health awareness programs, and providing essential health services to the community. The Centre also works on improving sanitation facilities and promoting hygiene practices to prevent the spread of diseases.  

Women Empowerment: Recognizing women’s pivotal role in societal development, the Navjyoti Centre implements various programs to empower women. These include vocational training, self-help groups, and awareness campaigns about women’s rights and gender equality. The Centre’s initiatives help women gain financial independence and a stronger voice in their communities.  

The Prison Ministry of Navjyoti, Surkhet, is an initiative that aims to support and rehabilitate women prisoners. This ministry focuses on vocational training and reintegration support for inmates. The jailer requested Rosita Kavilpurayidathil, SCN, to conduct training for the women prisoners, and they got the permissions they needed from the prison authorities. Navjyoti has conducted three months of Beautician training and three months of tailoring training. Women prisoners make various materials and different types of bags. This helps them earn money to save. Navjyoti works to improve prisoners’ lives, helping them find purpose, hope, and a path to a better future once they are released. Women prisoners believe that the skill training they receive in prison will help them have dignified lives in the future. 

Community Development: The Centre actively engages in community development projects such as building infrastructure, providing clean drinking water, and developing sustainable agricultural practices. These projects are designed to improve the overall quality of life for the residents of Surkhet and surrounding areas.  

Navjyoti Centre played a crucial role in Bhattegari village in Surkhet in getting clean drinking water for their community. From the youngest to the oldest, they extended their helping hand to actualize the dream of having a water tank in their village. The villagers have come together to bring clean drinking water to their community, working tirelessly to lay an 8km pipeline distribution network from the water tank to the village. This is an example of how vital changes can be made with cooperation and shared goals.  

Child Protection and Welfare: The Navjyoti Centre prioritizes protecting children’s rights and welfare. It runs child protection programs to ensure children’s safety from abuse, exploitation, and neglect. The Centre also provides vulnerable children shelter, rehabilitation, and counseling services.  

Legal support has helped hundreds of women and men to obtain justice and dignified life through legislative bodies.  

Over the years, the Navjyoti Centre has made significant strides in improving the living conditions of the communities it serves. Their education programs have led to higher school enrolment rates and improved academic performance among children. Health initiatives have resulted in better health outcomes and reduced incidence of common illnesses. The Centre’s efforts in women’s empowerment have enabled many women to start their own businesses and become active community leaders.  

The Navjyoti Centre collaborates with various national and international organizations to amplify its impact. These partnerships help mobilize resources, exchange knowledge, and implement large-scale projects. Through these collaborations, the Centre ensures that its programs are comprehensive and sustainable.  

Navjyoti Centre aims to expand its outreach and deepen its impact. Future plans include establishing more educational institutions, up-grading health services, and launching new programs tailored to the evolving needs of the community. The Centre is committed to continuous improvement and innovation in its approaches to community development.  

Navjyoti Centre’s dedicated efforts in education, health, women empowerment, and community development pave the way for a brighter and more equitable future for the residents of Surkhet and beyond. 

A big thanks to Sister Rosita Kavilpurayidathil and her dedicated staff for working to uplift the people in and around Surkhet.  

Sister Ankita Thomas, SCN
Source: https://nazareth.org/