Volunteers in 'Involvement to Ideas and to Initiatives'

EVENT: RATNAPARK CLEAN-UP PROGRAM

Date: 13^th September 2008

Reporter: Ashish Bhandarai

Venue: Ratnapark, Kathmadu

Time duration: Around 4 hours

Objective: To enhance a feeling of ownership, volunteerism, group work and mutualism. Public Service.

Organizer: NYS, YI

Organizing committee: Ganesh Gautam

Total number of participants: 10

Names of Participants: Ashish Bhandari, Hemanta Katwal, Saroj Dhakal, Bidhya Joshi, Bikina Chhetri, Sunita Thapa, Ganesh Gautam, Saurav Koirala, Bikram Kunwar, Ratnesh Sashi

DESCRIPTION:

13^th September 2008, Saturday, National Youth Service (NYS) organized a ‘Ratnapark Clean-up Program’ at Ratnapark.

Although the program was scheduled to start from 11:45 am it started at about 12 noon. Firstly, the participants were divided in a group of two and were scattered around the park. The volunteers actively and mutually began cleaning the park starting by collecting plastic wastes like chocolate wrappers, bottle caps and so on and dumping them in the dustbins nearby. Few people came and inquired abut the program asking questions like;

What are you people doing?

Who are you all? From which institute have you come from?

But the reply was all simple and same;

‘ We are cleaning this park and we are students but not the representatives of any institute or firm.’

The volunteers even tried to aware the people and suggested them to keep a dustbin at least to reduce the scattering of waste and dirt. After cleaning few sites inside the park the volunteers decided to clean up a pool which was all green and filled with plastics. The volunteers cleaned the pool with such and enthusiasm and even few local kids participated in the clean up. About four sacks of waste was taken out of the pool and dumped again in a nearby dustbin.

After doing such a hard job of cleaning the area, the volunteers were tired and exhausted. It was time to conclude the program. So, the program was ended in sort of a formal manner introducing each other and expressing their views about the program. One complain was universal that the program became sort of random and sudden so that was to be eliminated. After that, all the participants left for Trichandra College, washed up and drank some water. From there everyone went their own way.

Although, the program was successful, it didn’t go as planned and it was sort of ill managed. The participants were also less as compared to the area to be cleaned and the number of people polluting it. Much awareness couldn’t be generated but a sense of ownership, volunteerism, engagement, group work and mutualism was generated amongst the volunteers.

Another Hike for Team-Building

EVENT: NYS HIKE TO GOKARNA

Date: 6^th September 2008

Reporter: Ashish Bhandarai

Venue: Gokarna, Kathmandu

Time duration: Around 5 hours

Objective: Information, fun and orientation

Organizer: NYS, YI

Organizing committee: Ganesh Gautam, Saurav Sharma, Mona Aditya

Total number of participants: 14

Names of Participants Ashish Bhandari, Ganesh Gautam, Ishwor Khanal, Kreeti Shrestha, Manish Singh, Mila Shrestha , Mona Aditya, Rakesh Singh, Saroj Dhakal, Saurav Koirala, Saurav Sharma, Sunita Thapa, Tek Bdr. Kunwar, Tilak Lamshal (Dhruba)

DESCRIPTION:

National Youth Service (NYS) organized a volunteering orientation program including a hike to Gokarna. The participants were called to Heritage Plaza, Kamaladi.

As soon as the participants arrived, first of all everyone was randomly teamed up and a bus ride was taken from the old bus park to Gokarna. The ride was long and everybody seemed to be enjoying.

The group reached Gokarna at about 12:30 pm. As soon as they reached there, a long walk began. Everyone was in group i.e. everyone was walking with his/her allocated partner. Then a long walk was taken towards the higher part of the area.

After a long way up, at about 1:40 pm it was time to rest and talk something. Exactly, sort of an interaction program was started. Every teamed up group were to introduce each other to whatever extent they could. After that, everyone individually introduced themselves and expressed their views on volunteerism and their experience as a volunteer as well as their expectations as a volunteer. After the session was over a passing game was played. Everyone was to catch each other’s hand and make a big circle. Then one would just hit the others right hand and he/she had to pass it as fast as he/she could. First it was slow but Mona insisted and encouraged them that it be done faster. First it took 7 seconds, in the second try it took 6 seconds and then in the final try it was just 4 seconds.

After that the group enjoyed with one more game; a handshaking game. Everyone was to shake hands with each other saying the name of the person they were facing. They were confused at first but they enjoyed it.

The walk then continued. After some time it was again time to rest and have some cucumber. All went a little higher to a place somewhat like a plateau and then the cucumbers were taken out. Ganesh and Mona served the cucumbers. After that, Ganesh and Tek were sent to inform the shopkeeper below not to cook the noodles before 4:30 pm and the rest of the group proceeded further.

Now it was time to talk about NYS. Everyone sat down making a big circle. And the talk initiated with a short and a brief account of NYS and what it does. Mona gave all the information including the formation and goal of NYS. Then all were asked about their particular interests in volunteerism. Finally the session ended and it was lunch time. Everyone returned back below to the shop to have some noodles. After the lunch, it was clean-up time. Following the trend of NYS, the forest area was cleaned by the participants as much as they could. Along with the cleanness they had some sort of photo sessions too.

Finally the wastes were properly dumped and the group visited the Gokarneshwor temple. From there they returned to Chabahil in a micro bus.

From Chabahil some went to their house directly and some got into a bus. Although everyone departed at last, all of them had a lot of fun.

Beginning of small simple community projects

EVENT: NYS ‘GHAAS KAATNE’ SESSION

Date: 16^th August 2008

Reporter: Mona Aditya

Venue: Siddheshwor School

Time duration: Around 2 hours

Objective: Public Service

Organizer: NYS, YI

Organizing committee: Mona Aditya, Ganesh Gautam, Saurav Sharma

Total number of participants: 6

Names of Participants: Ashish Bhandari, Ganesh Gautam, Mona Aditya, Saurav Sharma, Tek B. Kunwar, Yogesh Kunwar

DESCRIPTION:

The ‘ghaas kaatne session’ or the ‘grass cutting session’ has its roots in Rebati R. Poudel’s suggestion to NYS about helping a public school at Shantinagar by the name of Sidheshwor High School in the brick-laying happening in front of the school building. The idea came on a regular afternoon at Youth Initiative’s office. A couple of NYS volunteers went to the school immediately to inquire about the possibility of NYS helping the school. Since it was figured out that the brick-laying was happening under a contract with a construction company, the volunteers were recommended that they would be more helpful if they could do a session of clearing the grass that had covered half of the school-playground. NYS decided to take the job up and arrangements for tools and timing were made.

At around 1:30 pm on the 16^th August, Saturday the volunteers set out to this school. The event was supported by the cool weather that afternoon. In about 2 hours the tall grass was cleared off. The experience ended up becoming interesting as some of the volunteers discovered new ways of cutting grass while the others discovered pine trees amongst the grass which had not been taken care of since their plantation. It was quite a session – different from the regular talks and paper and pen work happening in the daily lives of volunteers.

The responsibility of removing the cut grass was left on the school administration. A letter was typed out to the administration so as to remind the concerned people of their responsibility of maintaining infrastructures so that proper learning, playing and growing environment is available for the students. The letter was dropped a few days after the event. A follow-up visit by NYS volunteers would make the intentions behind the letter effective.

The session ended with the feeling amongst the volunteers that more of similar community service sessions should be conducted in future.

Celebrating a landmark... 100 days together as a team

EVENT: 100 DAYS OF NYS TEAM CELEBRATION

Date: 2^nd August 2008

Reporter: Amrit Yonjan

Venue: Sallaghari, Bhaktapur

Time duration: Around 6 and a Half hours

Objective: To celebrate the 100^th working days of NYS

Organizer: NYS, YI

Organizing committee: Dhruba Lamsal, Garima Shahi, Mona Aditya, Amrit Yonjan, Saurav Sharma, Bikash Maharjan, Raghu Aditya, Prakash Bhatta and Rina K.C.

Total number of participants: Around 45

Names of Participants: Aastha Rijal, Amrit Yonjan, Anjana Rajbanshi, Ayushma Shrestha, Bhupendra Gurung, Bikash Maharjan, Chitta Ranjan Pandey, Deependra Chamlagain, Dhruba Lamsal, Dimak Barahi, Ganesh Gautam, Garima Shahi, Ishwor Gurung, Kalpana Shrestha, Krishna Sharma, Madhvi, Mamata Shrestha, Manisha Ghale, Manogya Sharma, Mona Aditya, Neeraj Manandhar, Neharika, Parasar Timalsina, Prakash Bhatta, Prakash Kahanal, Raghu Aditya, Raghu Ranjit, Rajesh, Rashmi K.C., Rewati Ram Poudel, Richa Bhattarai, Rina K.C., Rubi Shrestha, Rukh Gurung, Samjhana K.C., Sani Shrestha, Saroj Dhakal, Saurav Sharma, Sidhi, Sunayna Nepal, Supreet Khanal, Suraj Neupane, Surath Giri, Tarun Manandhar, Tek Kunwar

DESCRIPTION

All the interested participants gathered at the office of Youth Initiative at around 10:30.Before leaving for Sallaghari three groups was formed from amongst the participants. All the participants left Shantinagar at around 11 in the morning. The participants reached Sallaghari at around 12 noon. In the meantime, a group of interested youth from Smart Club arrived at the spot.

When the team reached the spot, everyone got involved in decorating and setting up the spot for the program which sadly was a small one for everyone to accommodate. So, the setup was shifted to another, bigger location and after finishing the setup the celebration started. First of all an introduction game was played. Following it, the participants enjoyed with one more ball game. After the game, all the participants had some snacks. After this a small cleanup program was started dividing everyone in different groups. During the clean-up session, different groups were scattered in different directions collecting plastic wastes. Due to sudden change in the weather the participants returned to their previous spots and the formal program began. The formal programme started with the distribution of certificates to the volunteers working in different sectors through NYS by Mr. Robin Sitaula. Some of the volunteers also shared their experience and their thoughts on volunteerism. With a vision “LET US GROW AS THE PLANT GROWS” the Core members of National Youth Service planted a plant in a vase. After that, the formal program came to an end and for refreshment all the participants played the game Bingo followed by a dance party. After the whole day of excitement, everyone was back to Kathmandu at 5p.m.

The First 'Out of the Valley' Project of NYS

EVENT: NYS VOLUNTEERS AT TANAHU'S COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Date: 10th-30th June 2008
Reporter: Rina K.C.

Venue: Rupakot -07, Tanahu
Time duration: 20 days
Objective: To help the teachers at the community school
Organizer: Gaurishankar High School and NYS, YI
Organizing committee: Dr. Karna B. Thapa, Dhruba Lamsal, Sunayna Nepal, Mona Aditya, Melissa McCabe and Rina K.C.
Total number of participants: 6
Names of Volunteers: Madhavi Bhandari, Melissa McCabe, Rina K.C., Ganesh Gautam, Raghu Aditya, Tarun Manandhar

DESCRIPTION

Tuhure Pasal at Rupakot-7 Tanahu, the destination for 6 inexperienced and ambitious youth volunteers who headed with Karna Bahadur Thapa the authorized person for the volunteering project of 14 days in the community school of the locale on 10^th June 2008. We the team of six volunteers; Melissa McCabe, Raghu Aditya, Ganesh Gautam, Tarun Manandhar, Madhavi Bhandari and Rina K.C with full enthusiasm and happiness boarded in the bus and had the enjoyable bus ride for 8 hours. As the destination is not that farther from our hometown Kathmandu, the place is far from disturbance, chaos and is peaceful beyond our imagination. It is the place with immense natural beauty, purity with hospitable and humble people. That benevolence of people towards us and the natural beauties we perceived all around had made our stay of 20 days to be blissful and ever cherish able. The objective of our volunteering was the promotion of community school along with which we needed to assist the teachers in the school with their English. It was actually the two way expected projects where we the volunteers want to explore and experience world out of our nest whereas the teachers wanted us to help and guide them in their English speaking especially their pronunciation.

We were paid for our accommodation and food throughout the stay by the community school. Due to some internal problems, the program was extended from 14 days to 20 days. The provision they provided for us was better than that we had expected it to be. However, their humbleness was the thing that actually we are affected by as they were generous enough with their words and deeds and so always appreciated all our activities with the open heart. They had always the positivity towards us and our acts and so were we performing in accordance to meet out their expectations. The group had lacked the guiding factor though had appeared with loads of creativity to help the teachers and the community. Besides helping the community school and teachers, we wanted to conduct youth seminar, first aid program, and visit some schools of the area to understand the difference in quality of education among whish some of them could be accomplished and some could not. We even hiked round some places that were for our personal refreshment but it too proved worthwhile in understanding the community and its habitant much more than we did just by residing in the locality. This volunteering provided us with ample opportunity of serving not just others but ourselves too. We build our confidence level, interpersonal skills, spirit of team functioning, conflict managing, self-accountability and lots more. Personally, I am indebt to those who approached with this grand opportunity of exploring me and making my one of the dreams come true.

We each day used to conduct English-speaking class for an hour and so. Followings are the record of the activities that happened and we had done through out our stay in Tanahu.

Day 1(10^th June 2008, Tuesday)

Arrived at the destination Tuhure Pasal at 3:30 pm

Observed the classes

Had small orientation class with the teachers at Gauri Shankar Vidya Sadan

Day 2(11^th June 2008, Wednesday)

Hiked around the village

Played a small name games with teachers to make them familiarize with us

Conducted the reading to understand their level of English

Give and took comments along with their expectation from us

Day 3(12^th June 2008, Thursday)

Played game

To know their level of responding and speaking conducted discussion on the topic ‘Is Punishment Necessary in school’(teachers spoke really well)

Split teachers into groups of 3 in each team to be handled by 2-2 volunteers

Asked to get two new words to enrich their Vocabulary

Day 4(13^th June 2008, Friday)

Participated in the parents meeting conducted by community school

Gave small speech appreciating their unity and community works

4 teachers resigned with no specified reasons(internal politics)

Played game to relief their tension, stress and prepare them for the English class

Provided crosswords to expand and acknowledge their level of vocabulary

Allow them to read paragraph and explain what they had comprehend

Day 5(14^th June 2008, Saturday)

Observed the cultural dance performed in the name of deceased ones

Conducted Youth seminar

Played games with youth in youth seminar

Gave speech by Rina on Agriculture its importance, problems and solution

Performed small skit on migration

Youth seminar ended abruptly due to unexpected rainfall

Took part in socializing dance program called Rodhi

Day 6(15^th June 2008, Sunday)

Engaged the vacant classes after teachers resigning

Continued the course further where the old teachers had left

Did not have English class due to raining and over flooding of the streams because of which teachers were busy fetching the students home and helping them cross the stream

Day 7(16^th June 2008, Monday)

Continued with teaching the students from class Nursery to class 6

Conducted the class with teachers after school

Introduced English song to help teacher’s improve their pronunciation

Helped to teach diphthongs and phonetics

Day 8(17^th June 2008, Tuesday)

Continued with teaching the students from class Nursery to class 6

Conducted the class with teachers after school

Introduced another English song

Continued the lessons of Phonetics

Did some comprehension task

Planned to have Youth seminar next day

Went to Rodhi

Day 9(18^th June 2008, Wednesday)

Visited government school

Took first period by 2-2 volunteers in classes 8,9 and 10

Had small gathering and talk with the teachers at government school

Informed principal of government school about the Youth seminar and requested to sent some students

Started the Youth seminar at 2 p.m. with game

Had small discussion session to explore themselves and make them flexible with us as the youths seemed really inward and shy

Dispute aroused due to one of the youth who actually ruined our whole program

Concluded the seminar without completion of the targeted programs

Continued the lesson of phonetics

Sang English song and introduced another one

Did some comprehension tasks

Melissa’s health condition deteriorated

Day 10(19^th June 2008, Thursday)

Continued with teaching the students

2 volunteers only conducted the English class with teachers

Melissa’s condition was weaker than the day before

Day 11(20^th June 2008, Friday)

Had half holiday in the school no classes with teachers

Brought bamboo from woods, fix them and tied rope making support for little kids to cross the stream that turns bigger in monsoon days

Day 12(21^st June 2008, Saturday)

Decided to take Melissa back to Kathmandu early at around 1 am

Get prepared to fetch Melissa back to Kathmandu

Reached Kathmandu at 4 pm took her to hospital and returned home at 7pm

Day 13 (22^nd June 2008, Sunday)

Boarded bus at 7 am from Kalanki to get back to Tanahu

Reached Tanahu at 2 pm

Handed the things collected from volunteers’ family

Day 14(23^rd June 2008, Monday)

Continued teaching the students and the teachers

Dealt with the phonetic symbol and songs in English class with teachers

Day 15(24^th June 2008, Tuesday)

Took the classes with students

Took class with teachers

Gave some composition tasks like creating story on own and report writing

Our team went to visit last years community school’s picnic spot

Day 16(26^th June 2008, Wednesday)

Took classes as usual with the students

Hiked to the valley called Bayapani 3 hours walk distance from our place

Enjoyed outdoor sleep on the terrace

Day 17(27^th June 2008, Thursday)

Rice plantation

Last English class with the teachers

Gave ideas about some grammar rules and some techniques of reading, writing and listening

Playing with mud and enjoying rice plantation

Day 18(28^th June 2008, Friday)

Had the grand farewell from community school family

School had the monsoon holidays for a week

Plan for our returning

Day 19(29^th June 2008, Saturday)

Hike to places of Lamjung district

Returned home stumbling at dark at around 9:30 pm

Day 20(30^th June 2008, Sunday)

Last day of the stay

Talked with local people and gave thank-you cards to person we were grateful to

Madhavi had fever

Day 21(31^st June 2008, Monday)

Packed our back

Left Tanahu at 8:30 am in the morning

Had the enjoying bus ride and reached Kathmandu at 5 pm

Departed from the group with heavy heart

It is needless to mention that Tanahu is the ambitious project for NYS since it was the first volunteering campaign out of the valley and the challenges were not confined to NYS core team only but to the inexperience and young volunteers who have been appointed for the task. The challenges of assimilating the Canadian volunteer in the remote environment of our country along with the internal politics and unexpected resigning of the teachers on the first week of our arrival to the place had added some trouble to our project. Nevertheless, the team spirit, the sense of responsibility, the cooperation of the teachers of Gauri Shankar Vidya Sadan provided with enough confidence to cope up with the situations and handle them accordingly. Tanahu as the grand opportunity to enact for the community has not only been the volunteerism for others’ sake but it has been the exploration of the volunteers’ inner self. It had been the profuse attempt of recognizing the inner desire and worth giving values to them. Personally, the volunteerism activities we did in Tanahu have been the good utilization of time as well as the best benefactor to help me know myself better and know the importance of lots of things around me that I used to take it as for granted. Tanahu is the basket full of sweet fruits to me, the tastes are stuck to my tongue, and I know it is going to have longer impact on me. Thanks to those, who supported and helped to make this project accomplished and my greatest gratitude towards NYS and Karna B. Thapa who designed this volunteering program.