Babita Thapa, NEPAL

It was my pleasure to participate in the Gates Summer Institute on Reproductive Health and Development in 2004 and to get a small project grant in 2005. As a young woman from Nepal, traveling to the U.S. for such a useful training program related to my job was a dream come true. The experience changed me and my overall perception of reproductive health care. The training has given me a new outlook and a new lens to see things differently and keep a positive attitude.

In my current position as program manager in the Family Planning Association of Nepal, both the Gates Institute training and small project grant added value to my overall performance. I have gained so much in applying the knowledge and skills to plan our sexual and reproductive health (SRH) program, taking into consideration the context and people's needs.

With the grant, we are assessing how armed conflict impacts adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health needs and identifying strategies to meet those needs. This project itself is a new concept in my country and the response has been overwhelming. It has generated interest in the health sector and I am glad to be gaining more experience as I answer people’s queries on this subject almost everyday. Through this project, we have been able to generate a good knowledge bank within our country, and the team that is involved in the project probably consists of the best advisors on conflict and adolescents’ SRH needs.

I hope to continue to excel by utilizing my knowledge and contributing to the health sector.

Babita Thapa
NEPAL