USAID ARH Project Chief of Party Inaugurates Udaan Centers, Empowering Adolescent Girls

A high-level delegation, led by Suzanne Marleen Reier, Chief of Party for the USAID-funded Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH) project at CARE, and including representatives from consortium partners, Jhpiego and Nepal CRS, visited Rautahat district to inaugurate two new UDAAN centers today. 

These centers, located in Kaurina-02 and Tikuliya-05 of Dewahi Gonahi municipality, aim to provide out-of-school adolescent girls with 11 months of intensive education, ultimately facilitating their integration into formal schooling based on their capabilities.

Chief of Party Reier said:

We believe in the power of education to transform lives. These Udaan Centers will provide girls with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about their health and futures.

The delegation included representatives from consortium partner organizations Jhpiego and Nepal CRS. Jhpiego’s role in the project focuses on quality assurance, while Nepal CRS is instrumental in engaging the private sector. Local government officials, including the DCC Chief, Garuda Mayor, Dewahi Mayor and Deputy Mayor, and the Health Section Chief, also participated in the visit. 

The delegation also engaged in discussions with UDAAN center students, their parents, facilitators, and local authorities.

Chief of Party Reier expressed her optimism for the project.

The Udaan Centres are part of the USAID ARH project, implemented by Campaign Nepal in Rautahat district in partnership with Care Nepal and consortium partners, which aims to improve the health and well-being of adolescents through comprehensive reproductive health services and life skills education. 

Following the inauguration, the delegation visited project-supported health facilities, including the Health Line Clinic in Garuda and the Dewahi Gonahi-03 Health Post. During the visit, they also engaged in discussions with health personnel, and local authorities to gain valuable insights into the project’s progress and impact.

Mayors of Garuda and Dewahi, Kant Muni Prasad Jayswal and Prem Lal Sah, respectively, expressed their appreciation for the project and thanked CARE and Campaign Nepal for their efforts. They pledged their continued support to ensure the project’s success and sustainability.

Mayor Jayswal said:

This project is making a real difference in the lives of our young people. We are grateful for the support of CARE and Campaign Nepal, and we are committed to working together to ensure that all our children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Mayor Sah echoed these sentiments, and he added:

The Udaan Centres are a beacon of hope for our community. They are providing our girls with the education they need to build a better future for themselves and their families.

The inauguration of the Udaan Centers marks a significant milestone in the USAID ARH project’s efforts to improve the lives of adolescent girls in Rautahat. By equipping them with essential knowledge and skills, the project strives to empower these girls to make informed decisions about their health and future.