Focal person: Mr. Dharmendra Bhattarai; email: mamadharmendra@gmail.com: Contact no. : 9842623554
Venue: Mahendra Ratna Higher Secondary School, Birta Bazaar, Birtamode, Jhapa
Teachers
- Jenny Rai
- Keshav Uprety
- Rita Niraula
- Tika Prasad Subedi
Jhapa Access Graduation
Jhapa Access successfully completed two-year English Access Microscholarship Program and conducted graduation ceremony on 7 August, 2019. NELTA Jhapa Chairman and Jhapa Access focal person Mr. Dharmendra Bhattarai was the chairperson in the ceremony. The district co-ordination committee president of Jhapa Mr. Somnath Portel was the chief guest. US Embassy RELO Specialist Mr. Bishwa Raj Gautam, Birtamod Municipality Education Officer Mr. Dinesh Prasad Acharya, Arjundhara Municipality Education Officer Mrs. Januka Guragain were the special guests. The head teacher of Access host school Mahendra Ratna Secondary School, Mr. Khadga Prasad Kharel and Mr. Krishna Prasad Pathak the head teacher of feeder school Durga Secondary School were guests in the program.
Caption 1: Access graduates with guests and teachers
The program was conducted in two sessions. In the first session, all forty students demonstrated their learning experiences in eight different groups to all the guardians, guests and visitors through flip chart, handcrafts, drawings and interaction for about an hour.
Caption 2: Students presenting token of love to RELO specialist
The second session started formally with seat-taking of chair-person, chief guest, and guests that was handled by two access students, Mr. Prajwal Sangraula and Ms. Smriti Kunwar. The chief guest Mr. Portel inaugurated the program by lighting the Paanas. After the presidential speech by the focal person Mr. Dharmendra Bhattarai, Access students Akriti Kharel and Bishal Sapkota delivered their graduation speech. Access instructor Ms. Jenny Rai congratulated the students in her speech. Similarly, instructor Mr. Keshav Uprety shared the success story of Jhapa Access prepared by all four instructors. On behalf of all the guardians, Mr. Krishna Prasad Chudal thanked the whole Access program and instructors in his speech. Mr. Chudal expressed his worry in these words, ‘Our children will feel vacant and without guidance after this program.’
A group of five girls entertained the guests and parents through a group dance that was followed by Mr. Aayush Trikhatri’s farewell song. The program ended with the awarding of graduation certificates to both students and teachers.
Caption 3: Access Parents with the guests and teachers.
Orphanage Visit
Jhapa Access visited an orphanage as a part of community service on June 22, 2019. All 40 Access students, Access instructors and NELTA colleagues were present at Tara Namaste Orphanage situated at Birtamod – 4, Jhapa. Talking to the Access students, founder of Tara Namaste Orphanage, Narayan Prasad Pokhrel mentioned that he had established the orphanage 9 years ago as he felt the need of giving a cordial experience of family life to the homeless and uncared children who were in the streets for various reasons. At the Orphanage, 13 children are loved and cared for by Yasoda Chapagain, who is collectively called Mom, and by a working staff.
The children’s level ranges from nursery to class 12 studying in different private schools in Britamod with scholarships.
Access Jhapa students felt happy to be meeting them. Access students presented some entertaining acts including story- telling( Manisha) , singing ( Ayush Trikhatri, Uttam BK), comedy dance ( Rachit Mishra), fitness exercise practice ( Sanjay Tamang ), magic tricks (Karan BK) and motivational talks (Keshika, Bishal).
Access students amused the children and made them feel loved by playing with them and by talking to them in group and individually. At the end of the program, students and teachers distributed some gifts to the orphans. Access students brought biscuits, chocolates, children books (poems collection, story collection, autobiography, children rhymes, quizzes, essays), indoor games (chess board and ludo board), sketch books, sketch colors, pencils, fruits and food items. Coincidently, Prajjwal Sangraula, the president of Access Readers Club (40 Stars Readers’ Club) had his birthday. He celebrated his birthday with orphans by distributing sweets and a short motivational talk. He said, “We must always thank our parents, no matter how they are where they are. We are living this life because they brought us in this beautiful world.”
Before leaving, Manisha Bhattarai, an Access student shared, “After meeting you, friends, I found myself very lucky and thankful to the life I have. Seeing you cheerful, I found some extra energy, hope and willingness in me to serve the needy ones. It is a sweet experience of my life.”
RELO Program Specialist Visits Jhapa Access
RELO Program Specialist Mr. Bishwa Raj Gautam formally visited Access Jhapa on April 23, 2019 and observed student’s presentation on Access activities and their talents. During his visit, Access students showed their learnings in classroom, enhancement activities, and online learnings through presentations. Some students also entertained the visitor with some songs and dance. A farmer’s market set up was displayed showing student’s skill in interacting in English. After observing all student’s performances, Mr. Gautam gave a positive feedback and encouraged students to keep enhancing their English language skills and other skills and move forward in life. NELTA Jhapa chair and Jhapa Access Focal person Dharmendra Bhattarai and NELTA Jhapa Treasurer Mr. Bhupesh Mardi also observed the student’s performances and shared their happiness in seeing their progress and potential.
Jhapa Access Visits Elderly Home
Access Jhapa conducted a community service program on January 19, 2019. The Access students visited ‘Welfare and Research Center’ at Birtamod. The Welfare Center has been operating an old aged home where currently 27 elderly people are taking shelter. NELTA treasurer Bhupesh Mardi, Damak Multiple Campus chief Uttam Bhattarai, Founder coordinator of welfare center Bikram Maden, Secretary Benu Prasad Bhattarai and four Access teachers also participated in the program. Jhapa Access students interacted with elderly people, served morning meal and fruits which was managed by Jhapa Access.
Access teacher Tika Subedi gave brief information about Access and community service. Access student Prajwal Sangroula shared that he is so happy to see that such helpless elderly people are being taken care of in the shelter and he is inspired to serve the helpless.
Bikram Maden from the Welfare Center thanked Jhapa Access for bringing students to observe and help around the shelter and he said that such experience will make young people realize their responsibility towards elderly people and they shall not ignore them in future.
After an informal talk session, students walked around the shelter, observing the facilities, talking to the elderly people, listening to their life stories with laughter and pain and at last they all took blessings from the elderlies and bid farewell.
Jhapa Access Visits Kankai Multiple Campus
Access Jhapa students visited Kankai Multiple Campus on December 24, 2018. All Access teachers and NELTA Jhapa advisor, NELTA Jhapa members also accompanied the students on the college visit program. Kankai Multiple campus, one of the reputed campuses in the district, is located at Kankai Municipality.
The students observed library, administrative building, classrooms, program hall and canteen of the campus. The campus chief Mr. Bikash Prasad Upreti warmly welcomed the Access team and campus teacher and NELTA Advisor Mr. Hari Prasad Timsina facilitated and guided the students with some highlights of campus activities. The students curiously asked questions on campus study, ECA programs and so on. Answering one of the questions, Mr. Timsina said “The students are studious and easily motivated than in school level. We make use of lecture methods most of the time and the students make notes on them.”
“I liked the campus building and library system very much” said Basudev Sapkota, an Access student. The librarian demonstrated how they keep records of books and exchanges by using computer software.
Deepawali Celebration in Jhapa Access
On November 5, 2018 Access Jhapa family observed Deepawali with Laxmi Puja, Deusi and Vaili. The ceremony started with the making of Rangoli, the place where Goddess Laxmi is believed to keep her first step before entering the particular house or organization, by Access instructor Jenny Rai and Rita Niroula who were accompanied by some students. After that, students collectively lighted some clay dios, the special symbol of light during Tihar. Then both group students started inter group Deusi and Vaili competition one after another. After the competition, they exchanged best wishes of ‘Happy Deepawali’ along with greeting cards and had a delicious Tihar special food, i.e. Sel Roti and curry. The celebration ended with group photos in front of the Rangoli wearing special Marigold garlands by students and teachers.
Celebrating Halloween in Access
Access Center Jhapa celebrated Halloween in Access center on October 31, 2018. All Access students, Instructors, NELTA Jhapa Chairman and Access focal person, NELTA Jhapa treasurer were present in the celebration.
Student learnt why and how Halloween is celebrated in different parts of the world. To make it memorable, they made Halloween pumpkins with papers, painted their faces to look scary resembling ghosts, they listened to scary music, did a little bit of trick or treat too.
One of the Group A student Rachit said, “We have never had such a great fun in celebrating festival of other’s culture, I wish we could celebrate Halloween every year.”
Access Jhapa also observed its 1st anniversary along with Halloween celebration. Access team shared their ups and downs that they experienced this year. All were happy to come this far, together and strong.
Resilience Program for Jhapa Access
A resilience program was conducted in Birtamod, Jhapa on May 22, 2018 to support the victims of bus mishap that occurred on May 2, 2018. The program was conducted at Adarsha Banquet, Jhapa, all students, their guardians, Access instructors and NELTA Jhapa team participated in the program. The program was conducted by Access Program Coordinator Mr. Kunjarmani Gautam, NELTA President Motikala Subba Dewan, NELTA Advisor Hemanta Raj Dahal, NELTA Secretary Laxmi Prasad Ojha, RELO Program Specialist Bishwa Raj Gautam and Dr. Mohmed Irsad Khan, Orthopedic Surgeon from B and C Hostipital were there to provide emotional support and psychosocial counselling to the victims. In the program, Jhapa Access students Dipa Limbu and Bishal Sapkota shared what happened to them and their friends in the aftermath of the accident. Their heartfelt sharing brought tears of pain and at times laughter amongst the participants. Jhapa Access focal Dharmendra Bhattarai also shared his experience and thanked all seen and unseen hands in helping the Jhapa Access team return to their homes safe and sound. In the program, Dr. Khan went through the medical reports of patients and counselled the victims and their guardians. At the end of the program, the students were provided with camp kits by NELTA President Motikala Subba Dewan.
Parent’s Meeting and Earth Day Celebration
On April 21, 2018, Jhapa Access center invited all parents, Head teachers of feeder schools, NELTA colleagues to observe earth day and to have parents meeting.
Parents meeting was held under the chairmanship of NELTA Jhapa Chairman/ Jhapa Access focal person Mr. Dharmendra Bhattarai, in presence of NELTA Jhapa Treasurer Mr. Bhupesh Mardi, Head teacher of Mohan Maya Secondary Mr. Sher Bahadur Shrestha, Head teacher of Durga Secondary School Mr. Krishna Prasad Pathak. The meeting was mainly focused on delivering information of activities ongoing in Access class and upcoming Access Camp in Pokhara. Talking in the meeting, Mr. Bhattarai and Access Instructor Tika Subedi both presented their briefings on above issues.
Speaking in the meeting, Head teacher Mr. Sher Bahadur Shrestha said, ” It is wonderful to know about Access camp and its well preparedness.” He was impressed and praised a lot about Access Camp’s detailed plan.
The head teacher Mr. Krishna Prasad Pathak said, “I request all the guardians not have any single doubt on this Access team to send the children away to the camp or any other activities that our children are requested to do. Be sure, your children are in good hands.”To mark Earth Day, the Access students completed their final task of preparing beautiful flower pots out of unused and thrown plastic bottles and cans. Fifteen students took part in drawing competition at the same time on the theme of “Save the Earth.” Prepared art works and flower pots were all set for demonstration and managed time for their parents to observe.
Access Celebrates Nepali New Year 2075
Jhapa Access celebrated Nepali New Year 2075 with a short visit to a local historical site ‘Birat Pokhar’. Students were provided with the historical background on the site and a set of questions to collect information. Students observed the pond site which seemed neglected and dirty, they interacted with local people and collected information. Students also got chance to talk to the chairman of the committee responsible for the management and conservation of the holy pond, he briefed about the future plan on developing the site.
All gathered for group photo with ‘Birat Pokhar’ on the background
International Women’s Day Celebration
On March 8, 2018, Jhapa Access organized a short talk show on the topic “Time is Now: Rural and Urban Activists Transforming Women’s Lives”. Access Instructor Ms. Rita Niroula started the program reading out this slogan of International Women’s Day 2018 and shared the meaning of the slogan. Then, Access instructor Ms. Jenny Rai entertained the student with short warm up song on girl’s empowerment. Everyone in class sang the song which was entitled “Girls you are on top of world”. The song was followed by short PowerPoint presentation with video on why International Women’s Day is celebrated, how and when it started. After that, the special guest in the program, Mrs. Jash Maya Gajmer, Member of Parliament from Province no. 1 gave her remarks sharing the hardships she had to face being a girl from a poor Dalit family, how she became the first girl in her community to get higher education, how she entered into politics and so on. Then, she spoke on the issue of women’s right, stressing on lack of awareness and lack of implementation of laws that has impeded upliftment of women in our society. Ending her speech, she encouraged all Access students to respect women and to grow up and do something remarkable for the country. The program ended with some Access students sharing their views on women rights and finally a vote of thanks by Access focal person, Mr. Dharmendra Bhattarai.
Mrs Jas Maya Gajmer, Parliament member and women rights’ activist is giving her remarks
Teacher Training at Jhapa Access
A two-day Access teacher training was held at Birtamod, Jhapa on November 5 and 6. There were eighteen participants including four Access teachers. The first session of the first day was taken by Access focal person Hemanta Raj Dahal. In the session, he stressed on learning strategy and language input. The next sessions were facilitated by NELTA treasurer Mr. Ashok Sapkota that focused on current model of lesson planning for Access classes. His first session was the elaboration of the lesson plan format and its use. In the second session Mr. Sapkota shared his ideas on the use of important classroom language. The second day’s all three sessions were facilitated by Mr. Sapkota again. In the first session he shared the ideas on the techniques of teaching songs for Access students. In the second session Mr. Sapkota focused on the proper planning and effective use of videos in the language classroom. The last session was about connecting indigenous knowledge with curriculum. In these session he also stressed on the use of locally available low-cost and no-cost teaching materials for integrating different language skills.
The Access teachers, who were new about the ways to run Access classes, developed confidence after attending the two-day training. Along with the Access teachers, all participants expressed their gratitude towards NELTA and English Access Microscholarship Program both for organizing such a fruitful program and inviting them. They expressed their commitment to apply the learned skills in the classroom.
Jhapa Access Inauguration
Jhapa Access was inaugarated in presence of Chief guest Somnath Portel, President, District coordination Committee, Jhapa on November 5, 2017. The program was graced by the presence of NELTA President Motikala Subba Dewan, IPP NELTA Hemanta Raj Dahal, NELTA Secretary Prem Prasad Poudel, NELTA Treasurer Ashok Sapkota, DEO Yogendra Prasad Baral, RELO Specialist Bishwa Raj Gautam. 40 Access students and their guardians, Access teachers, head teachers from feeder schools, NELTA Jhapa Executives and members participated in the program. IPP and Access Focal Person Mr. Hemanta Raj Dahal formally welcomed all, he talked about the positive changes the student are going to bring in their life and society. He congratulated everyone who were going to be the part of the Access program and wished for successful completion of the program. The Chief Guest, DEO and RELO specialist spoke on the occation, all congratulating students and parents and wishing for success. In the program, students and teachers received the Access commencement certificates.
English Access Microscholarship Program, Nepal 