Sarswati Peace School

Sarswati Peace School-Nourish International Partnership

2012-03-08T08:30:00.000-08:00

We are extremely proud to unveil our newest partner, Nourish International!

Nourish International started as a group at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2005 it became a 501(c) (3), a non-profit. Nourish International was founded on the idea that social entrepreneurship and sustainable development are the best ways to eradicate global poverty. In order to make this come true, they believe that this desire has to come from within communities, and that they can use students as a means to make it happen faster.

Since then, every year Nourish has been adding chapters across the United States. There are now 24 chapters from coast to coast. We will be closely working with UC Davis Chapter. This is Nourish-UCSB's first year as a chapter.

Nourish International has started a month long online fundraiser! Using Razoo.com, soliciting donations to support the construction of the school!

This summer, peace school will welcome a team of Nourish volunteers to our school to build soccer field and classrooms!

Please join their Facebook group.

Partnership with Irene Nam & Secours Populaire Francais

2012-02-20T05:36:00.000-08:00

We are extremely proud to announce our partnership with Irene Nam and Secours Populaire Francais from France!

Irene Nam

Irene is the ablest voice and life of our work here in Nepal. Irene Nam is a photographer and writer based in Paris, France. Her images have appeared in various print and online publications and on exhibit at the Fotofest Gallery in Houston and the Impossible Project Space in New York City. A social change enthusiast, Irene works with non-profit organizations and visionary individuals to help improve the quality of life, education and the future of children around the world. She is also a contributing author for ShutterSisters.com, a global online community for women photographers, and "Expressive Photography: The Shutter Sisters Guide to Shooting from the Heart" (published by Focal press).

Secours Populaire Francais and Sarswati Peace School are partnering to initiate photo project for 50 children at Sarswati Peace School. We believe this is just the beginning of our lasting partnership here in Nepal. Our children will capture their daily life in the village and send it to France where the photos will be exhibited throughout France. The project will aid in furthering intercultural exchange and relations between our children and the French students.

Since its creation in 1945, Secours populaire has helped people who are the victims of insecurity, poverty and natural disasters and conflicts both in France and across all continents. The SPF leads its international aid projects in partnership with local associations who are close to the people.

We hope that our partnership will further enhance existing ties between the two countries.

Birthday for a Cause!

2012-02-14T18:06:00.000-08:00

Irene Nam's Amazing kids! Irene will be introduced later this week.

On February 19th, 2012, Sean and Will will celebrate their 10th birthday. And this year, instead of gifts, they're asking family and friends to make a donation to help bring clean water to the 200 students of Sarswati Peace School in Nepal.

100% of the money raised will be donated to Sarswati Peace School to help buy water pump, pipes and water tanks, and other materials required for the water project.

Help them make a difference! Join the party!

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Le 19 février 2012, Sean et Will fêteront leur 10ème anniversaire. Et cette année, plutôt que des cadeaux, ils ont décidé de demander à tous les membres de leur famille ainsi qu'à leurs amis de faire un don pour l'aménagement d'un accès à l'eau potable pour les 200 élèves de l'école Sarswati Peace School au Népal.

Les fonds récoltés seront intégralement reversés à la Sarswati Peace School et aideront à l'achat de pompe, tuyaux, réservoirs d'eau, et autres matériaux nécessaires pour le projet d'accès à l'eau potable.

Aidez-les à faire la différence! Cliquez sur le lien ci-dessous pour faire un don!

Inspire a Child-Sarswati Peace School Long-term Partnership

2012-02-12T18:07:00.000-08:00

This week, we are announcing a series of partnerships with people and organizations from around the world.

Inspire a Child is a non-profit initiative, which builds and renovates environmentally sustainable soccer fields and classrooms, organizes student-to-student mentorships, and promotes peace education in developing countries. It aims to encourage underprivileged children to excel both in the classroom and on the field by fostering sportsmanship and scholarship while creating a safe and sustainable environment for children in developing and impoverished regions of the world to pursue their dreams. Through partnership and collaboration with local schools and community centers, Inspire a Child seeks to create a peaceful and positive atmosphere for the entire community.

Please support the fundraising campaign to build soccer field and classrooms!

Inspire a Child: Initiative of Olivia Wong

Inspire a Child was designed in response to the surge of trafficked young soccer players in Western Africa following the 2010 World Cup. Boys as young as four with a passion for soccer and in poverty are trafficked by predatory agents who promise contracts and tryouts. Some families even value soccer as a path to monetary success rather than schooling. Inspire a Child seeks to provide alternative opportunities to play soccer while attending school in order to bridge the gap between sport and scholarship.

Olivia Wong is founder and director of Inspire a Child. She is an undergraduate at University of California Santa Barbara and is currently an exchange student at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan as a Boren National Security Education Program scholar. Olivia serves on the Board of Directors at ReEnvision Your Future, a social-media based network of young individuals, which seeks to inspire, engage, empower, and cultivate the next generation of global change makers. In July of 2011, she was chosen as a 100,000 Strong Grantee to represent the U.S. at the Global Development Youth Summit in Beijing, China, delivered a workshop on the UN Millennium Development Goals, and volunteered in underprivileged schools across northern China and inner Mongolia. Since 2010, she has been working on Inspire a Child, an initiative she founded and is now overseeing the design and construction of a soccer field and classroom in Arupokhari-1, Gorkha, Nepal.

Makhamal-Sarswati Peace School Announce Long-term Partnership

2012-02-11T23:50:00.000-08:00

Started in 2007, Makhamal has been providing scholarships to disadvantaged children as a part of organization’s mission of "being a part of making a difference."

Subash Ghimire, the founder of Makhamal, has been actively involved in helping children attend school to fulfill their dreams. This work is a source of inspiration and motivation for him to move ahead in life.

Sarswati Peace School is proud to announce our partnership with Subash Ghimire and his organization, Makhamal. They have provided us with one hundred thousand rupees to help construct more classrooms at our school. We believe that this is just the beginning of our long-term engagement with the children that are in dire need of education to nurture their young dreams.

Sarswati Peace School and Makhamal Partnerhip

Makhamal is now undertaking a weeklong health project at Koseli School in Kathmandu. With the help of young doctors from Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital (NMCTH), Subhash and his team will not only teach the children at Koseli the basics of health, sanitation and sexual health, but a new deep-boring well will also be constructed. Dr. Sabi Gurung will be the lead doctor for this project from NMCTH.

Makhamal Founder, Subash Ghimire

Born in a remote village in Sankhuwa-sava district in eastern Nepal, Subash is an Electronics and Communication Engineer, currently working at Thakral One Nepal as an engineer-Enterprise Solutions and Pre-sales (Microsoft Technologies).

We have known Subash since 2009 when he offered to volunteer at our summer camp in Arupokhari. He was the team leader conducting computer training to the students and teachers of Shree Darbar Secondary School in Arupokhari-4, Gorkha, Nepal.

P.S. Subhash Ghimire (our founder) shares the exact name with Subash Ghimire, except for the H in his first name!

Winter and more in Peace School!

2011-12-01T05:34:00.000-08:00

Manasulu Range!

Exercise during morning assembly!

Teachers Who "Nurture Young Dreams"

2011-11-06T08:06:00.000-08:00

Today, I want to introduce you all to our fantastic teachers!

Chandica Lal Ghising

Headmaster

Mathematics and Science Teacher

Chandica completed his bachelor’s degree from Tribhuban University, Nepal. He comes from Ramechap district.

Chandica has more than three years of teaching experience in two schools in Kathmandu.

He joined Peace School in June 2011. Mr. Ghising was appointed the headmaster of Peace School in August 2011.

Dil Maya Dankoti

Nepali Teacher

Dil Maya completed her bachelor’s degree in education from Tribhuban University, Nepal. She has few years of teaching experience in English medium schools in Kathmandu. Dil Maya comes from Arupokhari VDC-4, Gorkha.

She joined Peace School in July 2011.

Bikash Lama

Science, Math and English Teacher

Bikash comes from Kathmandu. He is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree from Tribhuban University.

He has few months of teaching experience.

Bikash joined Peace School in September 2011.

Kum Tamang

Science Teacher

Kum comes from Kathmandu. He is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree from Tribhuban University, Nepal.

Kum joined Peace School in August 2011.

Meena Sodari

Teacher: O & A levels, One

Meena is the permanent resident of Arupokhari VDC-1. She completed her bachelor’s degree from Nepal.

She has been with us since the inception of our school back in 2009.

Nirala Thapa

Teacher: O & A levels, One

Nirala completed high school and is a resident of Arupkhari VDC-2.

She is one of the teachers teaching at grade O and A levels.

Nirala has been with us since the very beginning of Peace School back in 2009.

Punya Kafle

Math and English Teacher

Punya comes from Dolakha district. He is in the final year of his bachelor’s degree program at Tribhuban University.

He has extensive experience of teaching in English medium schools in Kathmandu and Dolakha.

Punya is the newest member of Peace School. He joined in September 2011.

Rupa Thapa Magar

Sister

Rupa is a permanent resident of Arupokhari VDC-1.

She looks after grade O and A level children.

She joined Peace School in June 2011.

The teachers were chosen from an open competition. Exam in progress!

Peace School teachers and a helper (front row: first from left)

Computer and EduKit Classes!!!

2011-11-04T07:07:00.000-07:00

We recently started using this program called EduKit for all levels at our school. The kids don't want to go home now!

The school chairman is teaching O-level using EduKit software!

For the first time the children are learning computer skills!

This would have been impossible dream for these children!

Thank you Lex Limbu and Deepika Tuladhar for generous contribution! You help made this happen!

Excitement!!!

Typing tutor..awww...soo reminded of my school days in this fancy school in Kathmandu! I first saw computers when I was in fourth grade at Budhanilkantha School in Nepal.

Typical Morning@ Our School!

2011-11-02T20:12:00.000-07:00

the school surrounding

school assembly in action!

off to classes!

teachers assist the students en route to their classes!

Connecting the Dots!

2011-11-02T19:36:00.000-07:00

Connecting the Dots!

SUBMITTED BY SUBHASH GHIMIRE ON TUE, 11/01/2011 - 22:59

Let’s be honest. As a youth growing up in Nepal, it is sometimes very hard to get people – and by people I mean seniors in decision-making positions - to take you seriously. It is even more difficult to get them to listen to your ideas or acknowledge you as an important demographic, capable of more than burning tires and picketing politicians.

In the one week I spent in Washington DC, at the World Bank and IMF annual meetings, rushing madly between meetings, presentations, discussion forums and Indian restaurants, I learnt that this deep-rooted attitude is changing. And fast.

Maybe it is the Arab Spring. Maybe it is the realization that without embracing youth into the South Asian market economy, we will have made zero progress in terms of development even ten years down the line. Or maybe, it just makes sense – maybe we are finally realizing the inherent interconnectedness in our world. Realizing that one project from a little village in Nepal is directly linked to the socio-economic structure of our communities, countries and regions.

It was a pleasant surprise to us six South Asian delegates when we met senior officials from the World Bank Group and various other institutions, and they not only gave us an opportunity to share and express our opinions on youth and development issues, but they were keenly interested to work with us for the long haul. They were not only listening but also seeking ideas for collaboration and action! Every meeting we had, every discussion we were a part of, there echoed the same sense of urgency – to encompass youth in decision-making processes and working with them to accelerate development in South Asia.

I had always thought of the World Bank as unapproachable. Well, my experience was certainly different from my preconceived notions. My experience in DC was an affirmation of my faith in the power of collaboration and development. The people whom I met at the Bank were not only extremely knowledgeable and experienced, but they cared deeply and honestly about the development issues of the region. They were passionately interested in integrating and working with the youth in South Asia.And this gave me hope. Hope that, despite the politics, the conflict, the corruption, the seemingly-insurmountable challenges, we can still work together to create better lives for ourselves.

Making sense of everything

In the end, I think, it is all about connecting the dots. A school for slum children in New Delhi might be able to collaborate with a peace school in Nepal. An entrepreneur from Sri Lanka can learn from a business in Bhutan and that is exactly what we need to do. Embrace differences, celebrate similarities and above all, respect each other.

And maybe, just maybe, a South Asia free of poverty might not seem as distant a dream anymore.

Source: http://blogs.worldbank.org/endpovertyinsouthasia/connecting-dots

(I was one of the six youth delegates selected from South Asia at the World Bank/IMF annual meeting in DC!)

Peace School in Action!

2011-07-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

School Library

Peace at Peace School!

Kids in Action!

School Bell

Nurturing Young Dreams!

Our Library

School Assembly in Action!

Sarswati Peace School Opens for Arupokhari Children!

2011-05-12T08:51:00.000-07:00

After more than two years of dreams and hard work our school welcomed the first batch of 250 some students! At this point, we want to thank all our supporters, donors and friends from all over the world.

The Office Building

The Honorarium

There remains a lot to be done but we did it! Our three big projects yet to be completed: a building for a computer lab, library and teachers apartments; bringing the water to the school from 165 meters from the school compound down the hill and paying 3,00,000 to the internet company.

We will post videos and photos soon.

Thank you,
Sarswati Peace School Team

Our Headmistress: Caitalin Petruccio

2011-03-29T14:10:00.000-07:00

We have finally selected the head of Sarswati Peace School. And here is a message from the headmistress:

Dear Sarswati community: I would like to say that I am incredibly
honored to announce that I will be accepting the position of
Headmistress! I look forward to working with everyone at the Sarswati
School and am anxious to get started. With such an amazing group of
people I know we can accomplish great things. On a personal note, I am
finishing up my work in India and will be spending May/June completing
my coursework on social conflict in Israel/Palestine. Everyone in
India has wonderful things to say about Nepal and I am ecstatic to
arrive in July!

Namaste,
Caitlin

Her Intro:

Caitlin grew up in New Hyde Park, New York. She went to school in Boston where she graduated from Northeastern University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Human Services. While there she traveled throughout the Middle East studying Arabic language, culture and social conflict. She also spent time in India working with local NGOs
Caitlin has worked with children ages 3- 17 for over seven years in many different capacities. She spent most of her summers as a camp counselor for young children and tutored inner-city students during the academic year. She has taught subjects ranging from civic engagement to personal hygiene and sanitation. She loves working with children, particularly in India and is incredibly excited to join the Sarswati Team in July!

Our Teachers

2011-03-22T15:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

I am introducing you all the very first group of our teachers. Lets welcome them to Nepal!

Jon Catalano

Jon was born in Buffalo, New York but has seen, worked and traveled to many parts of the States, Italy and South America. He graduated with an Engineering Science degree before moving on to studying Mathematics and Teaching through the SUNY system in New York.
With education all around him, Jon grew up in the presence of many teachers, from elementary to university level, from both side of his family. He has worked and taught with a wide range of people. Running scout programs with younger children to teaching and tutoring in high school and college. He has also has the experience of working at elevated heights, using his skills to instruct the newer climbers.
He is delighted to becoming a part of the Sarswati Foundation and hopes to be able to continue his personal goal of helping others in the world improving their lives.

Daniel Dittrick

Daniel grew up in a small town outside of Cleveland, Ohio in the US. After receiving his BA from Dartmouth College in Classical Languages and Literature, he went on to pursue a masters degree in Conflict Resolution from the University of Bradford’s Department of Peace Studies. Originally inspired and struck by the practical power of nonviolence from a high school class titled “Gandhi, King, and Conflict
Resolution”, Daniel is excited to harness these philosophies while working at the Sarswati Peace School.
A traveler at heart, Daniel completed a cross-country bicycle trip with a non-profit group raising money and building homes across the United States. Witnessing the effects of generosity and selflessness, he also sensed the dire need for equal opportunity in education. After a study trip in Sri Lanka, he further realized that “peace”, as a word, can have different interpretations in each culture around the world. For him, it was awe-inspiring to meet such passionate people who struggled for the benefit of others and who would keep struggling in face of all adversity because they knew it was the right thing to do

Catalin Petruccio
Caitlin grew up in New Hyde Park, New York. She went to school in Boston where she graduated from Northeastern University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Human Services. While there she traveled throughout the Middle East studying Arabic language, culture and social conflict. She also spent time in India working with local NGOs
Caitlin has worked with children ages 3- 17 for over seven years in many different capacities. She spent most of her summers as a camp counselor for young children and tutored inner-city students during the academic year. She has taught subjects ranging from civic engagement to personal hygiene and sanitation. She loves working with children, particularly in India and is incredibly excited to join the Sarswati Team in July!
More updates to follow..

Nepal's Biggest National Daily Publishes OUR story!

2011-03-05T03:37:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
OUR story has been published in Kantipur Saptahik, Nepal's Biggest National Weekly paper. Apologies to our friends who cannot read in Nepali.

अमेरिकादेखि आरुपोखरीसम्म

नरेन्द्र रौले

सात वर्षपछि आफ्नो जन्मथलो गोरखाको आरुपोखरी पुग्दा उनी कम खुसी थिएनन् । नहुन् पनि किन ? उनी आँखाभरि सपना, मनभरि रहर र उमंगहरू बोकेर अमेरिकाबाट फर्किएका थिए । आरुपोखरीमा आफूले छरेका आशाका बीउ फलाउन र फुलाउन अमेरिकाको प्रतिष्ठित अनुसन्धान संस्थाको जागिरलाई समेत उनले बाईबाई गरे । तलब पनि लोभलाग्दो थियो, वाषिर्क ५० हजार डलर । तैपनि उनलाई अमेरिकाले मोहनी लगाउन सकेन ।

उनले आफ्नो पुरानो विगत सम्झिरहेका थिए । १४ वर्षअघि आरुपोखरीको दरबार माविमा चार कक्षामा अध्ययनरत हुँदा पेसाले इन्जिनियर अंकल चूडामणि घिमिरेले काठमाडौँबाट खबर पठाए । बूढानीलकण्ठ स्कुलले देशभरका उत्कृष्ट विद्यार्थीलाई निःशुल्क पढाउने व्यवस्था गर्दैछ । 'परीक्षामा राम्रो गर्‍यौ भने तिमीले पनि अवसर पाउनेछौं ।' मुलुकभरका ४ हजार विद्यार्थीको परीक्षा लियो बूढानीलकण्ठ स्कुलले । सुवास परीक्षा दिन दमौली पुगे । त्यसको केहीपछि रिजल्ट सार्वजनिक भयो । चार हजार विद्यार्थीमध्ये ३२ जना छानिए । रेडियो नेपालले बिहान र बेलुकी ७ बजेको समाचारपछि उत्कृष्ट विद्यार्थीको नाम र ठेगाना प्रसारण गर्‍यो र सूचना दियो, 'आफ्ना अभिभावकका साथमा भर्ना हुन बूढानीलकण्ठ आउँनु' भनेर । बुबा रविलालसँग पहिलो पटक उनी काठमाडौँ हिंडे । आरुपोखरी देखी धादिङबेसीसम्म नौ घण्टा पैदल हिंडेपछि बल्ल गाडी चढ्न पाइयो अनि उनले देखे शहरका ठूलठूला भवन, बिजुली, गाडी, मोटर र अरू थुप्रै चीज ।

गाउँको सामान्य स्कुलबाट एक्कासि राजधानीको बूढानिलकण्ठ स्कुल पुग्दा अनौठो र गाह्रो दुवै महसुस भयोे । बिस्तारै बानी पर्दै गयो । पढाइमा राम्रो गर्दै गए । ५ कक्षा पढ्दा नेपालीमा ९७ र कलामा ९४ नम्बर ल्याए । 'राजा वीरेन्द्रले सम्मान दिएका थिए,' उनले सम्झँदै भने, 'एसएलसीको बोर्डमा जम्मा ६ नम्बरले परिएन ।' कक्षा ४ देखी १२ सम्म बूढानीलकण्ठमै पढेका सुवास स्नातक तहको अध्ययन गर्न अमेरिका हान्निए । त्यहाँ त सबैलाई चकित नै पारेर देखाइदिए । मिनिसोटाको सेन्ट ओलफ विश्वविद्यालयमा अध्ययनरत विश्वभरका ७ सय १९ जना विद्यार्थीलाई उछिन्दै सर्वोत्कृट भए । विश्वविद्यालयका प्रेसिडेन्ट डेभिड एन्डरसनले उनलाई 'डिस्टिङ्गुइस्ड सिनियर लिडरसिप एवार्ड' ले सम्मानित गरे । अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय सम्बन्ध एवं राजनीतिशास्त्रमा स्नातक उत्तीर्ण सुवासले त्यही योजना बनाएका थिए, फलस्वरूप उनले आफू जन्मिएको गाउँ आरुपोखरीमा एउटा स्कुल खोल्नका लागि आफ्नै अध्यक्षतामा 'सरस्वती फाउन्डेसन' संस्था खोले । त्यतै बस्दा काम पनि सुरु गरे । अन्य केही साथीले उनको काममा साथ दिए । 'क्लिन्टन ग्लोबल इनिसियटिभ युनिभर्सिटी' ले सुवासलाई 'डेभिस पिस ग्रान्ट- २०१०' बाट सम्मान गरेपछि त थप ऊर्जा मिल्यो । सहयोगस्वरुप ६ हजार अमेरिकी डलर दिएपछि त पैसाभन्दा काम नै ठूलो रहेछ भन्ने लाग्न थाल्यो र अन्ततः उनी स्वदेश फर्किए ।

केही साताअघि गोरखामा पाइला टेक्दा उत्तरतिरको चुरुङ र दक्षिणमा तान्द्राङ कुहिरोले ढपक्क छोपिएका थिए । यिनै दुई होचा पहाडको बीचमा छ, आरुपोखरी, जहाँ अमेरिकामा भोगिरहेको शानको जीवन त्यागेर स्वदेश फर्किएका सुवास घिमिरेले मुलुककै नमुना स्कुल स्थापना गरेका छन् । सुवासले योजना बुनेको आरुपोखरीको सरस्वती शान्ति स्कुल मुलुककै लागि नमुना स्कुल हुनसक्छ । त्यही भएर होला, गोरखाबजारबाट गाउँतिर गुडेका बसहरूभित्र प्रायःजसो यात्रुहरूले उक्त स्कुलका बारेमा कुरा गरिरहेका भेटिन्छन् । गाउँघरतिर पानी, पूधेरा र चौतारीमा जम्मा भएका गाउँलेहरू पनि सरस्वती स्कुलकै बारेमा गफिइरहेका हुन्छन् ।

Courtesy: Naren Raule, Kantipur National Daily

आरुपोखरी वरपरका स्कुलका प्राथमिक तहका कक्षाहरू प्रायः रित्ता भैसकेका छन् । अझ पोखरा, बुटवल, चितवन, काठमाडौँ आदिका बोर्डिङ स्कुलमा पढाइरहेका अभिभावकले आफ्ना सन्तान फिर्ता ल्याइसके । कारण हो, सरस्वति शान्ति स्कुलमा आफ्ना सन्तानलाई पढाउने चाहना । मानिसहरू किन यति धेरै लालायित भए ? किन भने यहाँ पढाउने शिक्षकहरू अमेरिकाबाट आउँदैछन् र अध्यापनको शैली पनि अन्तभन्दा फरक हुनेछ । 'पढाइमा अभिरुचि जगाउन चित्रकला, नाटक, अभिनय, कथा वाचन आदि शैली अपनाउनेछौँ,' सुवास भन्छन् । गरिब, जेहेन्दार तथा सशस्त्र द्वन्द्वमा आमा बुबा गुमाएका बालबालिकाहरूले यहाँ निःशुल्क पढ्न पाउनेछन् । त्यसबाहेक अरूले भने शुल्क तिर्नुपर्नेछ । युद्धको मनोवैज्ञानिक असर परेका, टुहुरा बालबालिकालाई पढाउने लक्ष्य लिएको बताउँछन् सुवास । घिमिरे भन्छन्, 'पालनपोषण गर्ने, हुर्काउने, पढाउने, अभिभावक गुमेपछि कलिला बालबालिकालाइ कसले पढाइदिने ?' 'कम्तीमा २० जना राम्रा विद्यार्थी जन्मिए भने उनीहरूले देशलाई केही योगदान देलान् ।' भर्ना आवेदन खुलेकोे एक साताभित्रै ४ सय जनाले आवेदन दिए । त्यो संख्या अझ बढेकाले भर्ना नै रोक्नुपर्‍यो ।

अबको केही महिनाभित्रै पढाइ सुरु हुने सरस्वती शान्ति स्कुलमा अमेरिकाबाट एक दर्जन शिक्षक आउँदैछन् । ती युवा शिक्षकले एक वर्षसम्म आरुपोखरीको सरस्वती शान्ति स्कुलमा निःशुल्क पढाउनेछन् । विकासोन्मुख र द्वन्द्वबाट गुजि्ररहेको देशमा अनुभव बटुल्न ३५ जनाभन्दा बढीले यहाँ आउन आवेदन दिएका थिए । तीमध्ये एक दर्जनलाई सुवास र उनका साथी निकोलस काङले छनोट गरेका हुन् । चाँडोभन्दा चाँडो नेपाल आउन उत्सुक अमेरिकन शिक्षकहरू नेपाली भाषा, संस्कृति, परम्परा एवं बोलीचालीको अध्ययन गरिरहेका छन् ।

भगवानले भन्छन् रे, 'तँ आँट म पुर्‍याउँछु ।' सुवासको सुन्दर अभियानलाई धेरैले साथ दिँदैछन् । लन्डनको इन्भेस्टमेन्टकी निर्देशक एनिया लिचोटाले सुवासको कामबाट प्रभावित भएर १५ हजार डलर दिइसकिन् । विकासोन्मुख देशलाई सहयोग गर्दै आएको अमेरिकाको 'इपिक चे न्ज' संस्थाले पनि १२ हजार डलर प्रदान गरिसकेको छ । त्यस्तै अमेरिकामा सँगै अध्ययन गरेका साथीहरू पनि बेलाबेलामा कार्यक्रम आयो जना गरेर पैसा उठाउँछन् र सुवासलाई प्रदान गर्छन् । अमेरिका जान मरिहत्ते गर्नेले सुवासबाट धेरै कुरा सिक्न सक्छन् । उनलाइ पैसा मात्रै कमाऊँ भन्ने लोभलालच कहिल्यै लागेन । पढ्न, बुझ्न र सिक्नका लागि मात्र अमेरिका जानुपर्छ, तर सधैँका उतै बस्न होइन भन्ने मान्यता बोकेका छन् उनले । 'पैसा कमाउने भए यहाँ आउँथे र ?' उनले भने, 'आफू मात्र खुसी भएर भएन । आफू जन्मिएको गाउँ पनि त बनाउनुपर्‍यो नि ।' सुवास मुस्काराउँदा पर हिमाल खुलेको थियो ।

Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/s aptahik/article/?id=3774

YOUR ONE VOTE CAN HELP US WIN 50,000 USD

2011-02-10T12:05:00.000-08:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

Please help us win this competition with your vote. The 50,000 USD can change the face of our school.

Its simple. Go to the link below. Register in the top right corner and vote for us.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE PAGE AND REGISTER AND VOTE.

WE ARE NURTURING YOUNG DREAM OF CHILDREN LIKE THESE

Video Updates

2011-02-05T01:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Enjoy the video updates from our peace school.

Peace School Video Updates

Nick's Reflection: Visit to Arupokhari

2011-01-23T08:47:00.000-08:00

Here is Nick's honest assessment of his Nepal visit- Subhash

Those who know me, know that I’m honest and open when it comes to business. And I hope that through this posting, all those who are supporting and following the Sarswati Foundation and the Sarswati Peace School, will have a better understanding of the foundation and the current stage of the Sarswati Peace School project.

Overview of the school and the wonderful mountains. Mt. Manasulu.

Over the past month that I have spent in Nepal working alongside Subhash for the foundation, I believe that I have been able to witness the underlying culture of business, perhaps not a culture that tourists seek during their escapades. This experience has put me confusing emotional state, mixing frustration and anxiety with hope and prosperity. And perhaps my mood swings throughout the past month have reflected this.

Nick infront of the school.

To provide you with a context of the work that I have been doing here in Nepal, it has revolved around developing the administrative materials: teacher, staff, and student handbooks; and by-laws for the Sarswati Peace School; and interviewing teachers and volunteers for the opening of the school in May 2011. During my stay, I have also spoken to an audience of over sixty village members about the expectations that the Sarswati Foundation had of the Arupokhari community and oversaw the initial stages of the Sarswati Peace School construction.

It all sounds fine and dandy, but it didn’t run all that smoothly. For the those who like visual representations, work and business seemed to reflect the roads: in the developed world, roads are straight and smooth (okay, this might be a slight exaggeration and generalization), and in the developing world, roads are dusty, full of potholes, and completely chaotic (also a generalization).

Workers mixing water with mud joining brick walls.

There is no other way to describe it. While in Kathmandu “load shedding” or planned “brown-outs” often turned off our lights and electricity for up to 12 hours a day, internet - on a good day – worked only between 5:30pm-9:30am, not during the working hours, and a single meeting with the foundation’s lawyer (which we never actually met as he would always send his intern) would take nearly an entire day – a mixture of travel, the intern being an hour late, and the paper work needing to be reprinted because they spelled the foundation name wrong. To summarize, work went slowly as we would have to wait for the internet and to call and interview teachers, we would have to wait for electricity to charge our computers so we could continue working, and we would have to wait for another party to finally show up to a meeting. To be honest, I couldn’t wait to escape Kathmandu for Week 3 when we departed for the village, an 8 hour bus ride and 3 hour walk to a place that we could count on the electricity and internet not working for the next 3 months and a place where a meeting would happen on time, and if not, you can find those you want to meet with.

Little did I know, that the roots of being an hour late for a meeting was entrenched in the rural culture of Nepal. One specific instance was our planned community meeting with the local village members to clarify and discuss the matters of the Sarswati Peace School.

It started with lunch – at 9am. “Why?” I asked. It was because we may not be back until dinner. I didn’t question any further. We then made our way to the school site, where the meeting was going to take place, planned to commence at 10 o’clock. We were 15 minutes late, and no one was there. I was advised by Subhash that no one was there, not because they had already left, but because people always run a little bit late in Nepal. We took our seats on the hill overseeing the school site and continued to discuss the school, its prospective teachers, and the timeline for construction and implementation. Time ticked away, and before we knew it, it was nearly 1 o’clock in the afternoon. By then, Subhash’s father and Ishwor (both extremely significant members of this project) arrived and joined our conversations. It wasn’t until 2 o’clock that the flocks of people began to arrive; one after another, joining into small groups, settling on the same hill that we settled on, discussing matters of the current government schools, the prospects of the village being connected to the electrical grid in the next month, and whatever else.

The meeting began at 2:30, only four-and-a-half hours late, and people still continued to arrive until nearly 4 o’clock. It was a frustrating wait and when work needed to get done and yet nothing was being done, I also became quite anxious.

But what do we get out of all this frustration and anxiety?

Hope, and eventual accomplishment.

Children around the construction site.

To begin with the time in the village, the community was excited. Over 60 community members came to the community meeting (which meant they probably represented nearly 150 of the admitted students), and everywhere we went, we were invite for tea and snacks to discuss the school and what it was going to provide. Beyond this excitement, there was a need that was being fulfilled. Although many of the families and students were not directly affected by the civil war, the Sarswati Peace School was bringing families back together: their children and wives of farmers and shopkeepers were going to be reunited when they could finally trust that their children were going to get a proper education in the village itself, rather than spending thousands of rupees a month for their children to attend private schools and live in Kathmandu.

One of the most heart-warming experiences was when the three illiterate and impoverished women, that Subhash blogged about only a few days ago, arrived at the doorsteps of Subhash’s home in Arupokhari, bearing gifts of food, drink, and trinkets, that they had carried for a three days walk. For what? To ask for their children to be admitted to the school. These women were desperate to provide their children a proper education, and would do anything to make that happen. Not only did this astound Subhash, but it made me reflect on my own culture in the West. How many North American parents would walk three days straight for their child’s primary school education?

Although this experience brought some sadness, it instilled in me a new hope for the school, a new hope for the people, and that little extra bit of motivation to stay positive and patient in such a slow-moving society.

Construction happens in spurts. In one day, the brick-layers can put up 4 feet of wall on one of the classroom buildings. Unfortunately, they work on average 3 or 4 days a week, needing to take days off when it is too warm, too cold, or a village member’s ox dies. But it is happening. The school will be built, the policy manuals and by-laws will be completed (they are completed), the teachers and headmasters will be hired, the students will be admitted, and the need for education will be fulfilled for one small village in rural Nepal and the surrounding areas.

For those who have supported the foundation’s ventures thus far, including Epic Change, the Clinton Foundation, and Ania Lichota, thank you. To all those who volunteer their time to the foundation and the peace school, thank you. To Subhash Ghimire, an inspiration, role-model, and life-long friend, thank you.

It has been an experience of a lifetime, and I look forward to continuing my work with the foundation for many years to come.

Cheers.

Nicholas Kang

Director of Project Development

Sarswati Foundation

PS: Thank you Nick for your time and passion. It was just amazing to have you here. Hope you will spread the good words to our wonderful St. Olaf community- Subhash

School Construction Updates

2011-01-20T07:29:00.000-08:00

We are back from Gorkha. I have so many stories to share with you all. These are some of the pictures of the school construction. Photos by Nick.

workers building classrooms.

an overview of the school area.

amazing women from a remote village from northern Gorkha. Will have their story in the next blog.

feels so AWESOME to stand inside the school building.

meeting the parents that took FOREVER.

the gentleman in the right is our contractor.

Off to Gorkha!

2011-01-12T12:32:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
We are leaving for Gorkha early morning tomorrow and spend a week at the peace school site. I am excited to see the construction updates and we will upload pictures and updates from Arupokhari.

A journalist from Kantipur is also traveling with us. Our story will be covered in their paper in the coming weeks.

Nick finally recovered from his stomach flu. He is now acclimatized with Nepal's climate. He is excited to go to the village.

We will be recruiting teachers, staff and the students during our stay in Arupokhari.

More updates with pictures in few days time.

Namaste and have a good week!

Guest Blogger: Nick is Here!

2011-01-02T05:20:00.000-08:00

Time To Hire!

Kathmandu, Nepal

First, I would like to thank Subhash, Bhuban, and Angilla for extending their warmest welcome to my arrival here in Kathmandu and providing such wonderful hospitality to me thus far.

Miraculously avoiding any effects of jet lag (only an 11 hour time difference between here and home), I have been able to spend my three first days seeing Kathmandu and engaging in some preliminary work for the Peace School and foundation. This includes a variety of tasks from reworking and developing a workable balance sheet to work with estimated incomes and expenses dependant on student enrolment, enrolment fees, and scholarships, to developing methods to document and organize future student information and reports.

However, although these tasks keep me busy here in Kathmandu, I spent the day preparing for a series of interviews that we will be holding via skype and phone with over a dozen selected applicants to our teacher and headmaster job postings. After reading through dozens of cover letters and resumes, I have been able to summarize applicant strengths and weaknesses, and develop specific questions to ask each of the second round applicants. From cover letters and resumes alone, it seems like there will be a lot of tough decisions, as many of the applicants have proven themselves extremely worthy of the positions. In fact, many of the experiences of the applicants have got us extremely excited for what they will potentially bring to the children and community of Arupokhari.

Riddled with this excitement I need to get back to my work.

Dhanyabad (Thank you) to all those who have supported the foundation and Peace School, and Happy New Year from Kathmandu!

Nicholas Kang

External Director of Operations & Admissions

Sarswati Peace School

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year: Time for Action

2010-12-24T21:37:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
On behalf of Sarswati Peace School Family, I would like to extend our warmest greetings and wishes from Nepal. We wish you all a very happy Christmas and the New Year 2011.

The year 2011 is going to be one of the most important year for us. Our first batch of students will begin their schooling with us. We have come along a long way from running a summer camp in 2009 to starting a school in 2010.

We are extremely lucky to have friends and supporters all over the world from Tanzania to Switzerland to Belgium to Germany and the list goes on. Our special thank goes to Epic Change (Stacey and Sanjay and all others in the team). They have been so helpful in supporting and encouraging us when were struggling with the project. They are doing phenomenal work in Tanzania and elsewhere.

Also, our friend and supporter Ania Lichota from UK. She has always been pushing us to move forward with the project and helping us in need. She is an inspiration for thousands of mountain climbers and philanthropists. She did climb Mt. Everest in the summer of 2009.

We also thank President Clinton and the Clinton Global Initiative for granting us $6,000 for our project. The people at CGI U are wonderful and inspiring.

And of course Renu Di who is instrumental to our project here. She has been with us in every step of our progress and failures. We will always be indebted to her.

Jen Lemen is like an angel to us. She is a constant source of inspiration and guidance. We will always be in need for her support. So is Mama Lucy and her team. Christina Ammon from California. Thank you for visiting us and helping us. And in recent months Sabi Gurung has been a part of our project. She has been helping us in range of issues from preparing student profiles to helping us connect with people and org. here in Nepal. Thank you young doctor.

Nicholas Kang, my friend from St. Olaf will soon be joining us here in Nepal to help us with the project. We sat in our small room at St. Olaf and designed our foundation's website. We fought and disagreed but at the end we both have a common goal of helping to change the lives of some of the neediest children in Nepal. We welcome him to Nepal.

The lives of some of these children will now change forever for the better.

Most importantly, its YOU All who are making this happen. Without your generous support and help, we would not have started this project. To continue and move forward with our project, we constantly need your guidance, suggestion and help.

Please go to our homepage and donate to change the lives of Nepal's future leaders. We also explore you to consider sponsoring some of our students.

We humbly request you to be part of this movement. Please go to our homepage and look for donate button.

There are so many people We have to thank. Please forgive us if you are not mentioned here. You will all be part of our life here.

Thank you all.
Namaste from Nepal!

Admissions Nightmare!

2010-12-18T19:45:00.000-08:00

I definitely anticipated overwhelming number of applicants for our first batch of students at Sarswati Peace School but not like the report I got from the field today. Just yesterday alone more than 80 forms were filled in. More than 200 forms have been filled in the last three days. We only have spot for 250 students and we are distributing 500 forms at this point. When my good friend Nicholas Kang will be here in the last week of December, we will travel to the village and select the students. I am still trying to figure out ways and means to make parents understand whose children will not be admitted this year. Everyone is hoping to admit their children and for that we need at least double our planned resources and we do not have the resources to do just that. It seems like our 500 forms will be gone in less than a week. I can see some of the parents ready to thrash me in public. I need to polish my conflict resolution and negotiation skills used during purchase of our school land.

A young girl with her brother. She cannot go to school as she has to take care of her brother. The young brother will be sent to school once he is four but the girl has to stay home. We need to change this.

On the other hand, we are receiving applicants from extremely remote villages within Gorkha district. Just this morning, four parents came from Lapu Village in Northern part of our district that boarders with Tibet. They have to walk for four straight days to reach our village. They want to admit their children and I just cannot say no. I am excited that even in those places they now realize the importance of quality education and what it means to them and to their families.

We hope to provide opportunities to many of children from remotest part of our district and beyond.

Fever, chest infection, and cough and cold have been pulling me down for several days now.

Stay tuned for our Christmas Special Scholarships Campaign.

Epic Thanks

2010-11-23T09:25:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

HAPPY TWEETSGIVING! what are you grateful for? join us in spreading #EpicThanks across the web & across the world.http://www.EpicThanks.org/

Epic Thanks

www.EpicThanks.org

A global celebration of gratitude and giving that honors inspirational changemakers who created hope in our world.

This is a global effort to help our work here in Nepal and Elsewhere. Please support and donate!

And here is my story via http://epicthanks.org/changemakers

My journey to this day began in Arupokhari, a remote western Nepali village, which is more than a day's walk from the district headquarters. My village was at the heart of Nepal's ten years of civil war from 1996 to 2006. When I was five years old, every day I walked barefoot to and from school and then came home to study under the kerosene lamps as part of my daily routine. Even though we didn't have blacktopped roads, electricity, telephones or a proper school, all the children I knew dreamed of becoming doctors or pilots. We knew even then that no one wanted us to settle for anything less. But over time, as we busied ourselves building dreams amidst poverty, hunger and scarcity, we slowly began to realize how unrealistic and impossible those dreams were. After all these years, we do not have a single doctor or a pilot from my hometown.

Still, with all of this, I have never been able to stop dreaming big. From the time I was young, I longed for changes in Nepal. My audacity to think like this came in part because at the age of nine I had one very important dream come true. I was selected to study in a prestigious British-style school in Kathmandu, Nepal. That was when I saw buses and electricity for the first time; and first started to learn English. That is where I first learned that sometimes in one moment, your life can change forever.

I am a wildly optimistic person willing to sacrifice for my country so that future generations do not have to suffer the same way. I believe that changing a country has to start with educating the young generation and that is where I am investing my energy. With the Sarswati Foundation that I founded in the summer of 2009, I am now working on building the first peace school in Nepal so that the children whose lives were blighted by the war get an opportunity to overcome unfounded prejudice and discrimination and realize the possibilities of creating an informed and tolerant society for future generations. I want all of the children in my village to get the best possible education so that they can achieve their dreams of becoming not only doctors or pilots but anything else they desire to be.

After years of poverty, struggle and despair, I became the first person in generations of my family to graduate from college. My mom passed away when I was nine years old. Her life has been a light and inspiration to me and without her motivation and upbringing, my journey to this day would have been impossible.

Dear Friends, we need countless stories to move our world forward. We need schools that teach our students to action; we need education that not only teaches us to be good citizens but also go out and make a difference. We need idealists; we need dreamers, thinkers and leaders. My education has made me look beyond and contribute towards the greater good of the society. As President Obama once said, "every generation we have an obligation to work on behalf of the next generation."

Some may have called me naive for daring to dream at all, if they had seen the place where I started from. But if we stop dreaming and if we stop believing in ourselves, we are never going to create a world that is fair and just for everyone. If we are not willing to sacrifice, who will? How long can we wait? Please support my peace school project to educate and enable thousands of war affected Nepalese children to dream big and achieve their dreams.

Sarswati Peace School Website Is Up and Running

2010-11-22T09:09:00.000-08:00

After months of hard work, our Sarswati Peace School website is up and running. I request you to provide us with constructive feedbacks. Tilak, my friend and web designer is working on uploading the peace school logo which is absent at the moment. We have tons of other information to upload but hope to complete the work ASAP.

www.sarswati.edu.np

We are one more step closer to fulfilling my long awaited dream of starting this school.

We will soon upload stories of some of our soon-to-be Sarswati students.

Keeping Promises: What We Need?

2010-11-20T18:54:00.000-08:00

People often ask me if they can help me with our peace school project. They love to hear my story and get inspired and promise to support me in every possible way. But as time goes by and I start contacting those people only to hear, "Oh..I would love to help but not this time.." and the story continues. Over time, I realized that there are very few people who actually keep their promises. It just breaks my heart.

So, if you really want to support then please do not hesitate to contact me at subhash580@gmail.com

Here is the list of some of the things we need for our Peace School.

Computers/laptops: 30

Printer and photocopier: 3

Projector- 3

TV- 3

VCD/VCR-3

Library:

Children color books, storybooks, software, CDs and DVDs, Novels, Non-fiction

Wooden and plastic blocks, color pencils, chart papers, color papers, scissors etc.

Human anatomy charts, body parts etc. portraits of national and international personalities, maps (all continents), Admin, political and geographical map of Nepal, district maps etc.

Sports: football-10, handball-10, cricket set-3 etc.

Music: Madal-5, Nepali traditional music set-1, Harmonium-2, Guitar-10, Piano-1, Sarangi-5, Murali- 10, Basuri-10, Dance dresses etc.

Science:

Human body, skull and other parts, animal specimen etc.

Microscope: 5

Magnifying lenses: 30

Test tubes, conical flasks, round bottom flasks and other basics for 1-4th grade.

Furnitures:

Tables, chairs, desks, wardrobes etc.

Whiteboard- 7

Notice Boards- 7

Softwares:

-Academic transcripts

-Keeping record of students

-Keeping record of financial transactions

-Student, faculty and teachers login

Human Resources:

-Headmaster-1

-Academic Teachers- 6

- Sports-1

- Music, Dance and Theatre-1

-Admin: 2

-Computer-1

-Librarian-1

(we are working on getting volunteers for our school but if you want to come and volunteer or if you know someone that might be interested, please spread the word)

Our efforts will help change the lives of children Sangita Nepali, 12 whose family is not even in a position to send her to school.

Admissions Open: Ready, Set, Go!

2010-11-18T09:09:00.000-08:00

There comes a moment in everyone's life when you realize that the work you have been doing is actually going to change people's lives. That's how I felt today. As I, along with Sabi, was busy editing and re-editing the entrance form for our peace school, it reminded me of the time I sat for the national entrance test conducted by Budhanilkantha School. God knows how I passed that test and here I am today.

We designed, edited, printed and packed. The packages will leave for Arupokhari, Gorkha early morning tomorrow. I just cannot explain how excited I am! Our peace school will not only produce doctors, pilots and lawyers but leaders, philanthropists, entrepreneurs and visionary people that will, one day, make all of us proud.

The Entrance form in Nepali

The Entrance form with the Sasrwati Foundation's official seal of approval

Testing my translation skills

Sabi is amazing when it comes to Nepali language. I am pleasantly surprised.

The forms are almost ready :)

Here it is!

Packed, sealed and stamped

The packages are ready now. The admissions for the long awaited Sarswati Peace School is open!

People often ask me here in Nepal: why did you return? Why don't you want to stay in US and earn money? Well, I just cannot explain the deep satisfaction and extreme joy when you see the possibility of giving opportunity to the poorest kids that now dreams of becoming doctor or pilot. My village does not have a single doctor or pilot to this day. Still, no one wants to settle for anything less. And now I want those kids to really work towards getting there. I will provide them the opportunities and resources.

Ready, set, Go! It just excites me. I want to change the lives of hundreds of kids. Are you up for the challenge?

Winner: We won US$6,000 grant from the Clinton Global Initiative University

2010-11-17T08:05:00.000-08:00

Our work featured in the Clinton Global Initiative University

For more info, please visit
http://www.cgiu.org/commitments/awards/2010/#

Go to the peace and human rights page of the award section.

It reads:

Sarswati Peace School: Building Hope for Nepalese Children

Subhash Ghimire commits to building a “Peace School” in Arupokhari, his village in Western Nepal, to help over 250 children (between the ages of four and fifteen) who are affected by the violence of civil war.

Nepal’s civil war (1996-2006) left an overwhelming number of children physically and psychologically scarred, and deprived them of their basic right to learn. Yet the Nepalese government has not started any programs or projects to address post-war problems faced by adolescents. Furthermore, the Nepalese school curricula have never focused on peace or peaceful living in communities.

Subhash plans to use the CGI U funds to build part of a library, classroom space, and a computer lab. The strategy underlying the Sarswati Peace School is to invest in the future of Nepal through a grassroots, culturally-appropriate peace education effort that not only meets the educational needs of the children in the village, but also radiates outward into their families, and forward into the future, by equipping them for peace in their adult lives. Drawing on the resources of their rich cultural heritage, Sarswati will integrate play, drama, storytelling, gardening, music and dance, arts and crafts, and sports. The school environment will enable each child to develop a non-violent character and practice using techniques embedded in local culture to creatively resolve conflict.

Thank you President Clinton!

Support our work here in Nepal.

Books Arrive

2010-11-16T19:36:00.000-08:00

The first set of books have arrived from the United States. We thank the Asia Foundation and the Millions Book Store for their generous support. We received around 350 books.

We are still in need of tons of books for children under 15. These books could be in Nepali or in English. If you are interested to help, please contact us at info@sarswatifoundation.org

Peace School Construction Update

2010-11-13T19:19:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
Finally, the construction of our long-awaited Peace School has begun in Arupokhari-1 Gorkha. I will have more pictures and updates as we go along. We have decided to build bamboo classrooms and a concrete building at the moment.

I do not even want to start talking about the struggle I had to go through from selecting the project site to starting the construction.

The school will be using some of the trees within the school premise. This wood is called Chilaune.