Kabita Shah

Khate is not a nice word in Nepal. Used to describe the 30,000 street youth living on city streets across the country, the word is not simply a slur. The word’s power to hurt shows the extreme separation of street youth from mainstream society in Nepal.

Kabita Shah works to change negative stereotypes of street youth not only among the general public, but also among youth themselves. She believes that street youth are not liabilities to their communities, but assets. She works at SathSath (“together” in Nepali), a Nepal-based non-government organization that promotes  children’s rights. The organization has a drop-in centre in Kathmandu where youth can find shelter, food, sports equipment, washing facilities, and emergency medical assistance. These initiatives help to counter the intense hardships faced by street youth in Nepal, contributing to the Millennium Development Goal of eradicating extreme hunger and poverty.

A street worker, educator and counsellor, 28-year-old Kabita helps street youth recognize how their existing money-earning skills can be applied to safer and more sustainable ventures. With resources provided by Toronto-based Street Kids International, she provides entrepreneurship training that helps street youth develop sound business ideas and set realistic goals. The training provides a way for them to pursue their dreams while moving away from life on the street.

Many youth in Nepal do not know their rights and have no access to basic human rights education. UNICEF estimates there are about 30,000 street youth in Nepal, of whom 14,800 do not have basic literacy skills. Kabita hosts a weekly radio show broadcast across Nepal to discuss human rights with young listeners, many of whom are illiterate.

Street youth are told from a very young age their lives have no value. Much of Kabita’s work is focused on undoing that damage and helping them realize their unique potential, no matter their caste, religious or socioeconomic status.

Kabita also trains other youth workers across Nepal. With SathSath, she is working to ensure that children’s rights are enshrined in the country’s new democratic constitution. Realizing this dream would allow street youth in Nepal to take their rightful place as valued and contributing members of society.