Contact Person:
Puran Kunwar (Access Focal person Pokhara, Email: purankonwar@gmail.com)
Pitriraj Bastola (NELTA Pokhara Chair), Email: pitrirajbanstola@yahoo.com; Contact no.:
Pitambar Paudel (Access teacher and NELTA Pokhara Executive member, Email: pit1982_paudel@yahoo.com)
Venue: Bindebashini Higher Secondary School, Barpatan, Pokhara, Kaski
Access Pokhara in Access Camp field trip at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, 2016
Activities of Access Pokhara (Fifth Cohort)
Pokhara Access Graduation
On April 20, 2017, graduation ceremony of Pokhara Access center was held at Bindebashini Secondary School, Barpatan, Pokhara in which the fifth cohort Access graduates received certificates of completion of 2 years’ Access program from chief guest RELO Russell Barczyk. The program was attended by 40 Access students and their parents, NELTA Pokhara executives, and Access instructors. Access Coordinator, Kunjarmani Gautam conducted the program. In the program, NELTA Pokhara Chair Pitriraj Banstola gave a welcome speech expressing his happiness in successfully running the Access program in Pokhara. Access students Gopal Bhattarai and Sabita Shai shared their Access experience and Access instructor Padma Parajuli Poudel talked on behalf of the instructors. In his remark, RELO Russell Barczyk encouraged the graduating students to become a part of Alumni Association and strengthen their academic and career background through online learning. In the program, 40 Pokhara Access students received certificates of completion of 2 years’ Access program from chief guest RELO Russell Barczyk. At last, NELTA President Motikala Subba Dewan gave vote of thanks; in her address, she thanked NELTA Pokhara, Access instructors, Bindebashini Secondary School Committee and parents for their support in successful implementation of Access program.
Pokhara Access student Sabita Shai receiving certificate of graduation from RELO Russell Barczyk
The Pokhara Access graduates and their proud parents with NELTA Pokhara, Access instructors, Officials and RELO
Pokhara Access Visits Bindebashini Child Care/Orphanage
PokharaOn April 7, 2017, Pokhara Access Center visited Bindyabasini Child Care Center/Orphange to fulfill its social responsibility and let students know the reality of underprivileged children. Access students walked from the Access Center to the Child Care Home. When they reached the venue, Access instructor, Mr. Bhumi Raj Pandit, conducted the program and Mr. Pitambar Paudel briefed about the modality and purpose of the English Access Microscholarship program and the program of that day. Access students shared their experiences to the attendees and handed over the stationery items like note copies, pencils, erasers, books, etc. to the authority. The secretary of Pokhara Lekhnath Metropolitan city ward No. -1, Mr. Dil Bahadur Thapa, expressed vote of thanks and appreciated the program for involving students in such activities.
Access Bids Farewell to Mr. Obama, the outgoing President of USA
On January 20, 2017 Pokhara Access Center organized a program to bid farewell to the Outgoing President of the USA Barack Obama at Pokhara Access Center Bindabasini Secondary School, Barpatan, Pokhara . In the program, students were involved in various activities. Mr. Pitambar Paudel; Access instructor briefed about Obama’s academic and professional career from Journalist in New York to lecturer at Chicago University to Illinois state senate to President of USA. He also shared some quotations made by Obama about children and education such as “We have an obligation and responsibility to be investing in our students and our schools” “We must make sure that people who have the grades, the desires and the will, but not money, can still get the best education possible”, “ Reading makes all other learning possible. We have to get books into our children’s hands early and often”, “One of the best investments we can make in a child’s life is high quality early education.” Mr. Bhumiraj Pandit; Access instructor stated talked about the family background of Obama. Then the students watched a video for about 20 minutes about Obama’s and his activities during his presidency. Right after that Miss Gauri Dhakal and Mrs. Padma Parajuli; Access instructors engaged the students in a game shopping the bag about Obama. After the completion of the game the students were divided into five groups and were asked to design and display the Obama farewell cards. Finally, both the students and teachers sang a farewell song “Farewell to you my friend” devoting it to the outgoing US president Barack Obama.
Access students working on farewell note to Mr. Barack Obama
Thanksgiving Day Celebration in Pokhara Access Center
On November 26, 2016, Pokhara Access Students and teachers along with NELTA Pokhara celebrated Thanksgiving Day at Pokhara Access center, Bindabashini Higher Secondary School, Barpatan ,Pokhara in the special presence of English Language Fellows (ELFs) Ivy Atlas and Stela Wasson. Both fellow highlighted joyously about Thanksgiving Day, its historical background, significance and the activities that are performed to mark this day through video presentation. Games related to Thanksgiving Day were played among the students. The Access students were made clear on the point that Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States. It is a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and the year to follow. This day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November every year. Friends and families come together to have a feast. The typical feast includes turkey, stuffing, cranberries, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie. The Access students expressed their gratitude and thanks to NELTA, ELF, teachers, parents and American Embassy in Nepal for the wonderful opportunity they have got. After the program, the students were served with delicious food stuffs especially prepared by ELFs for the students.
ELFs Ivy Atlas and Stela Wasson giving presentation on Thanksgiving Day
ELF Stela Wasson serving special Thanksgiving Day food to Access students
Pokhara Access Performs Community Service
On November 25, 2016, Pokhara Access students and teachers performed community work at Sahara Hospital located at New Buspark, Pokhara . The students were assembled at Pokhara Access, Bindhayabasini Higher Secondary School and then along with the banner, students marched towards Sahara Hospital which is at 1 km distance from the Access center. The students visited the different wards, talked to the patients and their relatives, listened to their stories and provided fruits to each one of them. Patients were so happy to have these young visitors coming specially to see them, talk to them and share food with them. It was a new experience for the students; talking to people suffering from illnesses, interacting with health care providers and sharing food with patients.
Pokhara Access students giving fruits to patients at the local hospital
ELF Stela Wasson at Pokhara Access
On September 23, 2016, Stella Wasson; English Language Fellow (ELF) took first class to the Access students at Pokhara Access center. She taught about Native Americans, their cultures, traditions comparing them with Nepal and Nepalese cultures and traditions. She engaged the students in different activities including vocabulary games.
Board Game Designing Competition at Access Pokhara
On June 10, 2016 a Board Game Designing Competition was organized among the Lotus group Access students at Pokhara Access center with the aim of enhancing creativity and speaking ability of the students. Before the beginning of the competition, the students were divided into ten pairs. Mr. Pitambar Paudel and Miss Gauri Dhakal; Instructors instructed the students about the ways of designing and playing the board games. Then the students were provided the necessary materials and given forty-five minutes to design the games. Each pair worked enthusiastically and came up with creative board games. After the board games were made, students exchanged it among themselves played the game.
Pokhara Access Center Organized Inter-school Quiz Contest
On May 21, 2016, Pokhara Access Center organized a quiz contest on the premises of Bindebasini H. S. School. Students of different schools took part in the contest. The program started at 8 a.m. in the presence of all Access students and instructors with general instructions. There was a special presence of NELTA central committee Membership Secretary Mr. Ashok Sapkota and others. Students from Gyan Bhumi School, Dharmasthali School, Bindyabasini School along with Access students took part in the contest. Among them Gyan Bhumi Secondary School’s Dhaulagiri group (Resham, Sachindra and Jharana) got the first position, Pokhara Access center’s Machhapuchhre group (Anil, Devi and Dipendra) and Manaslu group (Gopal, Pooja and Asmit) got the second and third positions respectively. The program was over at 10:15 a.m. The program was run by Access instructor Mr. Bhumi Raj Pandit and facilitated by other instructors: Pitambar Paudel, Padma Parajuli and Gauri Dhakal.
US Ambassador to Nepal Visits Pokhara Access Center
On December 15, 2015 US Ambassador to Nepal, Her Excellency, Alaina B. Teplitz with some other dignitaries from US Embassy, Nepal, visited the Access center located at Bindabasini Higher Secondary School, Barpatan, Pokhara. Her Excellency interacted with Access students, teachers and NELTA executives. The interaction program ran approximately for half an hour. In the program, Access Student, Ms. Mariyam Tamang delivered a welcome speech and shared her experiences that she gained in Access class. Likewise, Mr. Anil Rana Magar presented a report of Access Activities. In the second half, there was an interaction session with an ambassador. The students made several queries on the issues like US education, culture, democracy and they also asked her some personal questions related to her family. Her Excellency answered all the queries. She encouraged the students to be focused on their goal, be laborious and believe in oneself. She also urged the students to utilize their time and participate in learning to be more active and to explore their capacity. In the meanwhile, Her Excellency appreciated NELTA and teachers’ efforts to make the scholarship program a success. The students sang a song; Take Me to Your Heart in Her Excellency’s honor. While answering one of the students’ query, she also wished that Nepal will overcome the current crisis very soon. The program was moderated by Mr. Pitri Raj Banstola, NELTA Chair, Kaski.
Access students interacting with Her Excellency US Ambassador to Nepal Alaina B. Teplitz
Thanksgiving Day Celebration at Pokhara Access
On November 26, 2015, Pokhara Access students and instructors along with NELTA Pokhara celebrated Thanksgiving Day at Pokhara Access center, Bindabashini Higher Secondary School, Barpatan ,Pokhara in the special presence of Mr. Pitri Raj Banstola; NELTA Kaski branch chair and Alex Lowry, an ELF. The teachers, students and the NELTA executives were gathered at Access center at 4:30 p.m. Mr. Alex Lowry, briefed about Thanksgiving Day, its historical background, significance and the activities that are done on this day; the Access students were made clear on the point that Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States, it is a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and the year to follow, this day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November every year and friends and families come together to have a feast on this day which typically includes turkey, stuffing, cranberries, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie. The Access students expressed their gratitude and thanks to NELTA, ELF, teachers, parents and American Embassy in Nepal for the wonderful opportunity they have got. After the program, the students were served with delicious food stuffs.
Access student Laxmi Thapa Magar expressing her gratitude
Pokhara Access Conducts Cleaning Campaign
On November 27, 2015, Pokhara Access Center organized cleaning campaign as part of Access community work. Students were all set with placards by 4:00 p.m. at the Access Center, Bindhyabasini School, Barpatan. They were excited indeed as many of them were going to participate in such program for the very first time. The program was started by cleaning the school compound and then students also cleaned the nearby areas by collecting the solid waste thrown carelessly. The students along with the instructors collected the waste materials and disposed it by burning and depositing them in the fixed dumping area nearby. The students also talked with the locals and passer by making them aware about importance of maintaining cleanliness at house and in the surrounding.
Access students listening to instructor about safe disposal of collected waste
Pokhara Access Marks International Education Week
On November 20, 2015, Pokhara Access center and Access Alumni jointly celebrated International Education Week from November 16-20 at Mt. Kailash school, Pokhara-27, Hyanja by organizing a talk program on ‘ Importance of Education: Access; Dreams and Successes’. In the program, there was wonderful confluence of Access Alumni and Access students. The program was chaired by Mr. Krishna Chhetri; an Access Alumni. Mr. Pitambar Paudel; an Access instructor welcomed all the participants in the program and briefed about the program and its nature. Mr. Mukesh Kumar Adhikari, NELTA treasurer, Kaski delivered his speech as chief guest in the program. He highlighted the activities of NELTA and Access to promote quality education in Nepal. Miss. Namuna Lama, an Access alumni shared her dreams and successes she had with the help of Access program. She thanked US embassy and NELTA for making her a part of them and providing her an opportunity of opening the door of success via Access program. She mentioned that she deserved first position in the class after joining Access program. The next speaker Miss. Sabita B.K. an Access student conceded that she joined the Access program with the dream of becoming a good human being gaining English language. She further stated that Access program has really become foundation of taking her from dark to bright. She lost her shyness and could read English books and magazines and write simple English texts which she mentioned was the output of Access. The next speaker Mr. Anil Rana Magar said that he could open the door of learning due to Access program. Access introduced him creativity, harmony, tolerance, independency, leadership and English culture. The other speakers; Mariyam Tamang, Laxmi Thapa, Akash Magar, Jeevan Tamang, Tsering Tsomo shared their ideas, views, dreams and success about Access and its contribution to promote education in Nepal. They mentioned that they could conduct school assembly and many programs at their schools without any hesitation. In the program, Access students and Access Alumni interacted with each other about the issues of promoting quality education and role of them as a part of NELTA, Access and US embassy. They recited poems, sang songs about the relationship between Access and education. The program ended with the closing remarks of Mr. Krishna Chhetri.
Access Alumna Sabita B.K. is talking about her dream and success after Access
English Language Fellow Visits Pokhara Access Center
On November 5, 2015, English Language Fellow Mr. Alex George Lowry visited Pokhara Access center, Bindabashini higher secondary school, Barpatan, Pokhara. He took his class on clothes and colors involving the students in pair and group work. His class was interactive . Access instructors; Mr. Pitambar Paudel and Miss. Gauri Dhakal facilitated him as co-teachers. The class was enjoyed by the students. His arrival in the class helped students overcome their shyness and hesitation to speak in English.
ELF Mr. Lowry is inspecting student’s work
Halloween Celebrations at Pokhara Access
On October 31, 2015, Pokhara Based fifth cohort Access Students and teachers along with NELTA pokhara celebrated Halloween at Pokhara Access center,Bindabashini Higher Secondary School, Barpatan ,Pokhara in the special presence of Mr.Pitri raj Banstola, NELTA Kaski branch chair. All the students were given the responsibilities of making scary masks from cardboard paper. They did the work properly. The public people gathered at Bindabashini Chowk to see the students with scary masks and their activities. Public people and the Access students compared it with Bhairav dance of the locality. The program connected Access and public together. Whole Access family and the public were entertained by the program a lot.
Wearing the self made mask, Pokhara Access students are ready to celebrate Halloween
Reader’s Club Formed at Pokhara Access Center
On August 28, 2015, all the Access students of Pokhara Access center was gathered for the formation of a Reader’s club. At first, the Access instructors briefed on the activities that is to be done on forming a Reader’s club, who should be in the Reader’s club committee, what will be the role of a committee member among others. Upon being briefed about the Reader’s club, the first Reader’s club committee was formed including 10 members from each group. The first meeting of the committee was held on the same day which decided to review books, films and the short trips and publish wall magazine every month.
On October 3, 2015, the Pokhara Access Reader’s club organized the first book review; the club reviewed the book “Growing in Courage”. The Access students reviewed the various aspects of the book such as its author, its story, characters, cover, strengths and weaknesses among others.
Pokhara Access students are gathered for the first meeting of the reader’s club
English Access Microscholarship Program, Nepal 
I am ex-student of nelta members miss u all.