Kamal’s Journey: From Migration Dreams to Local Enterprise
His father's income wasn't enough to support the family's daily needs. After Kamal completed his Secondary Education Examination, we considered sending him to India to work. However, the POWER4AY project provided him with electrician training and supported him to start his own business. He worked very hard and is now known as the best electrician in our area. Our entire family now relies on his income. Without the project's training, he would likely be just another young boy from our community forced to seek labor work in India." - Kausi Devi, Mother of Kamal
In the hills of Achham District, Nepal, stories of migration are common. For many young people, the path after secondary school is not one paved with opportunities but one that leads across the border to India in search of low-paying jobs. Kamal, a 22-year-old from a rural village in Achham, was on the verge of taking that same path—until a new opportunity changed everything.
“I am Kamal from a rural area of Achham district. Our family has limited income and we don’t have enough land for farming,” he explains. Kamal lives with his parents and three younger brothers. His father, a laborer, is the sole breadwinner. Despite completing his Secondary Education Examination, Kamal’s dreams of further study were halted by financial constraints.
“I was planning to go to India to find work, like many others do in my village,” Kamal shares. “However, I learned from the ward office about the POWER4AY project offering vocational training to unemployed youth. I applied and was selected.”
In 2023, Kamal completed 390 hours of electrician training through the POWER4AY project. The project, implemented by Save the Children in collaboration with local authorities, aims to empower adolescents and youth by building their skills and providing meaningful economic opportunities.
But the support didn’t stop with training. Kamal received NPR 25,000 (approx. EUR 215) to launch his business, followed by an additional NPR 25,000 to expand it. He was also connected with a cooperative-based revolving fund and secured a low-interest loan of NPR 30,000 to help with the running costs of his new venture.
“At first, I worked directly on-site, but later I opened a shop with all the necessary materials for house wiring and other electrical items,” Kamal says proudly. His timing was ideal: the national power grid had just expanded to nearby wards, and demand for wiring services surged. Kamal found himself with more work than he could handle alone.
“I have hired an assistant for NPR 500 per day when I fail managing my daily work. I earn an average of NPR 25,000–35,000 per month from my business,” he says. “I use my earnings to support my brother's education and take care of my family. I am also continuing my own education.”
Kamal also participated in life skills sessions and completed the "Start and Improve Your Business" (SIYB) training. These courses helped him manage his earnings, build confidence, and develop a long-term vision for his business. With continued technical support and financial counselling from the project, Kamal is on a path that was once out of reach.
“Without this vocational training, I would likely be working as a laborer or watchman in India, like many other young people from my community,” he reflects.
Kamal’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we invest in young people—not just with skills, but with the support networks and resources they need to take charge of their futures. For Kamal, POWER4AY didn’t just provide training. It opened the door to independence and the ability to give back.
