“You have the right to the best healthcare possible, safe water to drink, nutritious food, a clean and safe environment, and information to help you stay well. You have the right to a good quality education. You should be encouraged to go to school to the highest level you can”. Government of Nepal’s e-portal on child rights makes these statements to educate children (and, perhaps, the general public) on child rights. But, are Nepali children enjoying these rights? Unfortunately, not. The Nepali state has not been able to deliver on its constitutional vision, nor on its international obligations when it comes to guaranteeing child rights. For example, on the 48 child-related indicators under SDGs, Nepal has met its targets only on five indicators. This does not inspire much hope for meeting SDG goals in the next five years, or so.

The current demographic structure shows that Nepal is still a young society with 40 percent of the population under 18. It is therefore important to invest in children and adolescents in shaping national development. Nepal aspires to graduate from its LDC status in 2026. While poverty rates have come down to around 20 percent, child poverty remains a major challenge: more than one-third of children under 17 still endure multidimensional poverty. Worryingly, analyses informed by intersectionality show that there are significant disparities within the country by region, language, caste, ethnicity, gender, age, and disability. These factors lead to deprivations limiting children’s potential to ‘become what they are always meant to be’. If these deprivations are transferred to the next generation, which is likely, Nepal will remain a laggard in lifting its people out of poverty. All-round development of children, therefore, is in the best interests of society as a whole. This is something that the state cannot do alone. It needs to collaborate with civil society including the citizenry.

Khandbari Child Development Society (KCDeS) is a modest effort at promoting complementarity between the state and society in furthering the cause of children. Established in 2024 under Nepal’s Societies Registration Act, KCDeS aims to support the development of children especially those from underprivileged backgrounds. Its focus areas include opportunities in education, health, and income generation. People from across the social spectrum can join hands reflecting a true spirit of volunteerism. Membership is open to like-minded individuals and organizations.

KCDeS has an endowment fund enabled through a generous donation from a socially minded family. Its activities are supported through this fund. KCDeS has recently launched a scholarship programme for students from marginalized backgrounds. Currently, this covers five students in Sankhuwasabha schools.