The B-Project
The B-Project stands for Maya Gurung’s home-village, Bhotenamlang. Maya always had a passion to help her home particularly in the areas of education and empowerment. As a child she was denied access to education when she was set up for an arranged marriage at the age of 14. She ran away to escape the wedding but her struggle for education and self-empowerment started. In 2015, when a massive earthquake hit Nepal her home district was worst-hit. All schools in the village were destroyed and students had no safe place for learning. Maya and her team mate Shailee have ever since been working towards recovery of the schools. Their friend, US-based actor Bojana Novakovic visited the village as a volunteer multiple times and became chief patron of The B-Project. The ladies, with the strength of dedicated staff members, and support of many well-wishers have been on a mission to provide safe learning space and quality education to the young rural students of remote village Bhotenamlang.
Survivor Training Program
To be trafficked, that at young age, is a deep trauma. In addition, even upon return survivors in Nepal face great challenge in finding well-paying dignified jobs with potential for growth. Shailee and Maya came across a group of young female survivors in 2014. US-based non-profit Courageous Girls was on a mission to providing healing to survivors through a trek to the Everest Base Camp. GIA initially signed up to train the ladies for the trek. However, we soon realized that the trainees had real potential and an urgent need for change. Hence the survivor training was the result. GIA provides long-term based outdoor training, language classes, self-defense skills, leadership hikes, high-altitude adventure treks, support for continuation of academic education and scholarship for outdoor certification programs. After long-term training and once deemed fit for job, GIA provides job-placement. Three of our trainees have earned their trekking guide license. GIA is currently developing plans for next training session and fundraising for the same.
Team- B Project
