Together We Can Change The World
ABOUT US
The Small World is a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to fostering sustainable community development through locally-driven projects. Our initiatives focus on providing education for children, particularly girls at risk of exploitation, empowering women, and creating opportunities for communities to overcome poverty. By supporting these efforts, we aim to break the cycle of disadvantage and build a brighter future for all.
Our Mission
Small World’s mission is to educate, empower, and enable individuals to create positive change in the world.
Karma Sherpa
Executive Director and Co-Founder
OUR VISION
The Small World envisions a future where every vulnerable girl thrives in a supportive and equitable environment. We are committed to breaking down barriers of discrimination and empowering these girls to become leaders and advocates. Our goal is to foster a global culture of equality and respect, transforming communities through their leadership and advocacy.
WHY LOCAL IS BEST
The Small World is a locally-run non-profit organization that addresses community needs by directly implementing initiatives funded through your donations. Your support helps us build local capacity and promote sustainable development, ensuring long-term positive impact and continued support for the communities we serve.
OUR APPROACH
At The Small World, we prioritize close, personal relationships with the communities we serve. We achieve this by deeply understanding their challenges, needs, and ideas, and by collaboratively developing solutions. Unlike large aid organizations, we focus on fostering enduring connections among all involved—community members, donors, volunteers, and ourselves. By working together as a close-knit family within a global network, we aim to drive meaningful, lasting change through our collective efforts.
THE CHALLENGES FACING NEPAL
Almost half of Nepal’s young female population is married before they are 18 years old, and it is estimated that every year, from 15,000-20,000 Nepalese girls (42% of which are minors) are trafficked into the international sex slavery industry.
Nepal is renowned for its natural beauty, spectacular scenery and cultural landmarks. With Mount Everest on the northern border, and the birthplace of Buddha to the south, Nepal is undoubtedly a charming and exotic destination. However, many people are unaware that Nepal is also the poorest country in Asia with a high percentage of the population living an abject poverty.
Nepal has the lowest literacy rate in Asia and one of the highest child mortality rates in the world. Infrastructure is not only highly inadequate, but also nonexistent in remote mountain villages where people live an ancient lifestyle without benefit of roads, electricity, telephones, sanitation, running water, hospitals, or schools.
Namaste from Hope Girls, TSW girls education project
OUR STRATEGY
At The Small World, our strategy involves:
listening to local about their needs
Identifying real community needs
Sharing local ideas and resources
Working together with community members and volunteers
We believe that education is key to solving the majority of these challenges. To accomplish this, we feel that we have a unique vision and direction. Rather than impose solutions, we work with communities over many years to strengthen their own efforts to improve and eradicate these social problems.
We are constantly seeking new solutions and ask ourselves how we can make the greatest impact with our resources. In addition to our home for at risk girls in Kathmandu, we make the most of our skills and abilities while working at remote Himalayan villages in the District of Solukhumbu.