Shanti Basnet, leader of Project Hannah in Nepal, tells how literacy and sewing classes are tools through which the gospel can be shared and pratical skills can provide hope for daily life.

As we researched and studied the needs of women in Nepal, we found that most of the women are illiterate and dependent on their husband. Due to the lack of literacy, many brokers benefited from them and as a result, they were taken to brothels [to be a] prostitute. Due to lacking of [employment] skills, they were totally depending upon their family and they couldn’t do anything [on their own] or even choose what they could eat. So looking at their needs, we felt that literacy and sewing programs are very important for the women of Nepal. And not only that, it's the easiest way to show [them] the love of God and [to] share the gospel.

     We can see clearly that those programs are helping women in their lives each day. After the completion of literacy classes, women know about the value of education and encourage and inspire their children to study. Also, they can read the letters, sign boards, names of places and they get a little knowledge to know about people and their activities. So, each woman [who attends classes] no longer needs to rely on other people to read the letters written by her husband and she could reach destinations [herself] by reading the signs. They can be aware of how much vendors are charging them. Also, after the completion of sewing classes, most of the women can stand on their own feet. They can earn money by themselves and help their husband in their daily lives. They can feel that they are a useful member of their family and they can stitch their family's clothes as well as other's cloth. So, they can save some money for security. They can play an important role in their family and society and live confidently.

     Holistic programs are very important in ministries to women like the women of Nepal. In comparison to the opportunities given to men, the women fall far short in every area of life. Since they can't express their needs in their family and community, they cannot get opportunities. They are looked at only as child bearing machines. These things made them feel useless. So, when we started the holistic programs among them, they were so happy and they saw some rays of light in their lives and saw how they could benefit from the programs. Through these holistic programs, trafficking can be decreased. Most importantly, through the holistic programs they can learn about the love of God and they can accept the Lord Jesus to be their Savior.

Click to read a Q&A with Shanti and to read Shanti's detailed testimony of saving faith.

Click to read a Q&A with Pam Wise with links to her Nepal Travel Journal entries (including a testmony of visiting Nepali literacy classes).

Click to read Founder Marli Spieker’s Hannah’s Heartbeat Newsletter column about Shanti.

Read even more on this Project Hannah Nepal summary page.