Rukmini Foundation is Helping Teen Girls Disconnect to Reconnect in Nepal

 

In today’s digital world, young people are more connected than ever—but many are also facing growing challenges related to mental health, social media, and online wellbeing. To help address these issues, the Rukmini Foundation is launching the Community Connection Camp: Empowering Teen Girls Through Digital Wellness, Leadership, and Community Engagement, an immersive residential experience designed to help adolescent girls build healthier relationships with technology while developing the confidence and leadership skills they need to thrive. Supported by AllPeopleBeHappy, this innovative initiative will bring together 200–220 teenage girls from schools and communities across Dakshinkali Municipality for a unique phone-free camp focused on personal growth, meaningful relationships, and community engagement.

Over the course of the two-day, three-night camp, participants will take part in interactive workshops on digital wellness, mental health, leadership, communication, and substance abuse prevention, alongside team-building activities, creative arts, outdoor adventures, and community service. Guided by mentors from the Rukmini Foundation’s GLOW Club, educators, and mental health professionals from the Nepal Institute of Mental Health (NIOMH), the girls will explore practical strategies for managing technology mindfully while strengthening resilience, critical thinking, and self-confidence. By stepping away from their phones, participants will have the opportunity to form authentic friendships, develop leadership skills, and rediscover the value of face-to-face connection.

The project responds to growing concerns within the communities Rukmini serves, where increased smartphone use, social media exposure, and limited access to mental health resources are contributing to anxiety, distraction, and reduced opportunities for leadership development among adolescent girls. Beyond benefiting the camp participants, the initiative is expected to indirectly reach hundreds of parents, teachers, and peers as the girls bring new knowledge and healthy habits back to their schools and communities. Through follow-up activities within GLOW Clubs and partner schools, the lessons learned at camp will continue long after the event concludes, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

More than just a camp, the Community Connection Camp represents an investment in the next generation of women leaders in Nepal. By combining digital wellness, emotional wellbeing, leadership training, and community engagement in a supportive environment, Rukmini Foundation is equipping young women with the tools they need to navigate an increasingly connected world with confidence and purpose. As these participants return home empowered to become role models for their peers, they will help build stronger schools, healthier communities, and a brighter future for the next generation.