Kathmandu, Jan 23: UNICEF and the Government of Finland today opened Jhalko: Glimpses of West Rukum, a child-led photography exhibition that amplifies children’s voices on the critical role education plays in protecting children’s rights, wellbeing and futures after a crisis.
The exhibition is part of the longstanding partnership between the Government of Nepal, UNICEF and the Government of Finland to strengthen Nepal’s education system and ensure learning continuity for children affected by emergencies, according to a joint press statement issued today by the organizers.
“When crises strike and schools are damaged or destroyed, education becomes a life-saving intervention – offering children safety, structure, psychosocial support and a sense of normalcy,” Finnish Ambassador to Nepal Petri Puhakka. “Nepal has shown strong commitment to ensuring children continue learning despite challenges posed by earthquakes, floods and other natural hazards.”
Recognizing children as active participants in their own recovery, UNICEF and the Government of Finland supported a three-day photography workshop in November 2025 for children studying at Shree Bheri Dobhan Secondary School in Rukum Paschim District. The school was one of the 746 schools damaged or destroyed during the 2023 earthquake, which had its epicenter in Jajarkot District.
