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| Manasulu Range! |
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| Exercise during morning assembly! |
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Teachers Who "Nurture Young Dreams"
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.
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!
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| Peace School teachers and a helper (front row: first from left) |
Friday, November 4, 2011
Computer and EduKit Classes!!!
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| We recently started using this program called EduKit for all levels at our school. The kids don't want to go home now! |
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| The school chairman is teaching O-level using EduKit software! |
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| For the first time the children are learning computer skills! |
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| This would have been impossible dream for these children! |
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| Thank you Lex Limbu and Deepika Tuladhar for generous contribution! You help made this happen! |
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| Excitement!!! |
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| 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. |
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Typical Morning@ Our School!
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| the school surrounding |
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| school assembly in action! |
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| off to classes! |
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| teachers assist the students en route to their classes! |
Connecting the Dots!
Connecting the Dots!
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!)
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Peace School in Action!
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| School Library |
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| Peace at Peace School! |
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| Kids in Action! |
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| School Bell |
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| Nurturing Young Dreams! |
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| Our Library |
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| School Assembly in Action! |
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Sarswati Peace School Opens for Arupokhari Children!
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.
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
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| The Office Building |
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| The Honorarium |
We will post videos and photos soon.
Thank you,
Sarswati Peace School Team
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Our Headmistress: Caitalin Petruccio
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 NGOsCaitlin 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!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Our Teachers
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..
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 NGOsCaitlin 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..
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Nepal's Biggest National Daily Publishes OUR story!
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.
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 ।
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/saptahik/article/?id=3774
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 ।
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| Courtesy: Naren Raule, Kantipur National Daily |
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/saptahik/article/?id=3774
Thursday, February 10, 2011
YOUR ONE VOTE CAN HELP US WIN 50,000 USD
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.
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| WE ARE NURTURING YOUNG DREAM OF CHILDREN LIKE THESE |
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Nick's Reflection: Visit to Arupokhari
Here is Nick's honest assessment of his Nepal visit- Subhash
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| 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.
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| 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).
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| 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.
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| Children around the construction site. |
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
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
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