Anita Chaudhary, a 27-year-old resident of Surkadangi, Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City Ward No. 2 in Dang District, lived a life centered on studies and household responsibilities while her parents worked in farming. Coming from a Janajati community, Anita had little exposur e to social development activities, volunteering, or leadership roles. Until 2024, her world revolved around traditional family duties with limited opportunities to engage in broader community initiatives

Her journey toward transformation began when she came across a waste management training initiative organized by CLEAN UP NEPAL, funded by IM Swedish Development Partner, in collaboration with the Freed Kamalari Development Forum (FKDF). Seeing an opportunity to learn and contribute, Anita applied and was selected as a trainer for the Zero Waste at Schools (ZWAS) program. She attended a comprehensive Training of Trainers (ToT) that equipped her with practical and theoretical knowledge on sustainable waste management, climate change, and environmental stewardship.

Armed with these skills, Anita began facilitating ZWAS sessions at Shree Janata Secondary School in Nayagoun, Dang. Through seven training modules, she guided students on waste segregation, composting, plastic reduction, and recycling. Her role as a trainer not only enhanced the knowledge of students and teachers but also helped her build confidence, public speaking ability, and leadership skills. At home, Anita became a role model by practicing proper waste segregation, composting organic waste, and reducing single-use plastics, later extending these practices to her neighbors and encouraging them to adopt sustainable habits.

The impact at Shree Janata Secondary School was profound. Prior to the intervention, the school struggled with unmanaged waste and low awareness among students and staff. With Anita’s facilitation, the school introduced waste segregation bins, created a compost pit, and formed an environmental club to sustain efforts. Regular clean-up drives and peer-to-peer awareness campaigns became part of the school culture. Their efforts were recognized when the school won second place in the 2024 Metropolitan Sanitation Competition organized by Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City, inspiring other schools in the region to replicate similar initiatives.

For Anita, the experience was transformative. From a reserved young woman with limited exposure to community work, she emerged as a confident facilitator and motivator, capable of leading change and inspiring others. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “I am deeply grateful to CLEAN UP NEPAL and IM Swedish Development Partner for providing me with this incredible opportunity to grow and contribute to my community. Your support has transformed my life and empowered me to make a difference.”

Anita’s story highlights the power of targeted capacity building to turn individuals into community leaders. It demonstrates how school-based interventions can create ripple effects that influence families and communities, while empowering local facilitators ensures sustainability and ownership of environmental initiatives. Her journey is a testament to how structured training and mentorship can enable individuals from marginalized communities to emerge as champions of environmental change, inspiring young women and communities to strive for a cleaner, greener future.