Mushrooming Opportunity: How Adult Literacy Changes Lives in Nepal

In the rural Nepalese villages of Ghusari and Srijana Tole, something remarkable is growing. And it’s not just the mushrooms.

Thanks to buildOn’s Adult Literacy Program, learners here aren’t only gaining the ability to read, write, and do basic math—they’re turning that knowledge into income, nutrition, and community empowerment.

As part of the program, participants receive loans to help start businesses and build wealth in their community. One of the most successful income-generating activities in Nepal’s Adult Literacy Program is mushroom farming. Known locally as kanne chyau, oyster mushrooms are a fast-growing crop that is proving to be both practical and profitable.

In Ghusari, 30 adult learners recently produced 240 kilograms of mushrooms. Sold locally, that harvest brought in 27,300 Nepalese rupees, about $205 USD. It’s a tangible return on a simple idea: when communities lead, and education meets local expertise, powerful things can grow.

From Classroom to Community Impact

Every Adult Literacy class is built on one essential principle: listening. Our buildOn team in Nepal works directly with each community to identify which income-generating activities make the most sense locally. In Ghusari and Srijana Tole, the answer was clear. Mushroom farming fit the environment, required minimal startup costs, and offered quick results. With support from local Junior Technical Assistants and a seed grant from buildOn, learners got to work.

Mushroom farming, a growing industry in Nepal, takes about a month from spawning to harvest. Farmers use rice, already available in many homes, to grow the mushrooms, keeping costs low. The mushrooms are used in daily meals and sold at nearby markets, creating both food security and financial stability.

Boosted Confidence, Blossoming Opportunity

Balakh Rani Dangaura lives in Ghusari. Having dropped out of school as a child, she enrolled in buildOn’s Adult Literacy Program in 2023. Today, Balakh Rani can write her name in both English and Nepali, and her daughter is the Adult Literacy Program facilitator for the entire community. She’s learned to calculate daily wages, manage household expenses, and share her phone number without help.

With her new confidence, she’s become Chairperson of the village’s savings and loan group.

For women like Balakh Rani, literacy is the foundation for leadership. It’s a reason to stay rooted in their communities rather than seek seasonal work elsewhere. It’s a way to show the next generation of women in their community that education is for everyone.

The Seeds of Transformation

buildOn’s Adult Literacy Program doesn’t end with education. As learners gain new skills, they also explore local business models, from mushroom cultivation to community banks and sewing cooperatives. Each community chooses its own path, guided by data, experience, and the shared goal of building a better future.

With every mushroom harvested and every name written for the first time, the message is clear: when communities lead and education supports, transformation takes root.

Want to transform lives and communities across the globe? Make a tax-deductible donation today to help fund our Adult Literacy Programs.