For World Vision International Nepal:
The baseline study was conducted by CREHSS for WVI Nepal in the Jajarkot Bheri Area Program (AP). The purpose of the baseline was to assess the current status of the AP by establishing baseline values of goal and outcome indicators before the implementation of interventions, so that changes over time can be tracked through periodic monitoring and evaluation. The specific objectives were to establish baseline values for setting targets and measuring impact, to assess the well-being of the most vulnerable children (MVC) in Bheri AP, to provide evidence of change to government and donors with WVI Nepal’s contribution, to explore opportunities and challenges in the community and identify areas of collaboration with like-minded partners and government, and to document good practices on child well-being issues adopted by communities and other organizations. As part of the study, a cross-sectional household survey was conducted covering 502 households, 300 adolescents/children (12–18 years), and 173 grade 3 students using tools such as the Development Assets Profile (DAP), Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA), and a school survey. In addition, 4 key informant interviews (KIIs) with head teachers, local government officials, and CBO/NGO representatives, along with 2 focus group discussions (FGDs) with parents and children, were conducted. The study also included observations of schools and reading clubs to enrich the findings. The baseline study measured issues such as child and early marriage, school-going status of children, learning outcomes (EGRA), and children’s empowerment.