Banke Sixth Cohort

Focal person: Mr. Hom Raj Khadka; email : khadka.homraj@yahoo.com: Contact no. : 9858021987
Venue: Nepalgunj 8, Banke

RELO Program Specialist Visit Banke Access

On March 7, 2018 RELO Specialist, US Embassy, Nepal, Mr. Bishwa Raj Gautam visited Banke Access Center and had an interaction program with the Access students and the Access Instructors. First, the RELO Specialist visited and observed the classroom, computer lab and library of Banke Access Center. Then, there was an interesting interaction between him and the Access students, the Access instructors as well as the executives of NELTA, Banke. During the interaction, the students made several queries to the RELO specialist about many things related to Access program, language learning, exam success tips, etc. As the students were anxious about their coming final exams in school, the RELO Specialist, Mr. Bishwa Raj Gautam inspired them to face the exam successfully with some examination tips. Mr. Hom Raj Khadka, the focal person of Banke Access Center, and Mr. Hement Raj Kaphale, the Assistant Secretary of NELTA Banke, were also present during the interaction. After having the interaction the Access student, Mr. Arkam Shekh said, “Now, I am little bit tension free about my final exams. The tips given by Bishwa sir are very helpful to us. In coming days also, we would like to have regular orientation on study and examination techniques as today.”

Banke Access Visits College

Banke Access students visited Nepalgunj Medical College, Kohalpur and Bageshwari Multiple Public Campus, Kohalpur on December 29, 2017. At first the Access students were divided into three groups which visited different sections, wards and departments of the college turn by turn. Each group of the students visited and observed the emergency ward, OPD sections, general wards, operation theatres, different labs, hostel and library of the college. The director of the college, Dr. Nirpendra Shah coordinated the visit by disseminating the responsibilities of facilitating the students to the in-charges and staffs of different wards, sections and departments. The Access students were given the information about different programs, faculties, departments and services of the college and teaching hospital by the in-charges and staffs of the concerned wards, sections and departments. The students had interesting and fruitful interactions with them. The students who wanted to be doctors and nurses in future were more excited and curious. Some of the students expressed their dreams to study in the medical college. However, the other students also collected a lot of information about the system of the college and teaching hospital. After the visit of the medical college, the students visited Bageshwari Multiple Public Campus, Kohalpur as well where they visited and observed the campus buildings, classrooms, library, garden and playground. From the visit, the students were highly motivated for their further studies of the college or university level.

Christmas Spirit at Banke Access

Banke Access center celebrated Christmas on December 25, 2017 conducting different activities. Firstly, the students were engaged in the preparation like decorating Christmas tree, preparing gift cards, blowing balloons, and so on to celebrate Christmas. One of the student Mr. Blossam Barnawal became Santa Claus. Mr. Hom Raj Khadka, NELTA Banke chair as well as focal person of Access Banke and Mr. Tarka Bahadur Khatri, secretary of NELTA Banke were invited as guests. All the Access instructors including the students of both group enjoyed the celebration. The celebration initiated with the video regarding the celebration of Christmas. All the participants of the program sang a Christmas carol entitled, ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas’. Then, everybody wished Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2018 and presented their greeting cards to each other. After that, Santa Claus distributed the cake as the gift. Finally, the talent show program was conducted in which the students showcased their different talents like singing songs, reciting poems, jokes, stories and performed dances. An Access student, Aasha Budha moderated the program.

Career Development Activities

Banke Access involved students in various career development activities throughout the months of August and September. Banke Access students learnt and practiced resume writing as a career development activity on August 5, 2017. First, the students were briefed about the importance and uses of resume writing. Then, the instructors presented two samples of resume and talked about the various parts of resume. The Access students were asked to develop their own resumes following the samples and the instructions. Access instructors facilitated them to write their resumes. When they learnt the basic components of resume writing, the students were asked to choose a desired occupation for their future after 10-11 years and were given assignment to develop a resume, imagining themselves as a qualified and experienced candidate for the post.
Banke Access students learnt and practiced interview skills as a career development activity on August 19, 2017. Access instructors showed different skills for facing a job interview with the help of online videos, gestures, and postures. Instructors acted as interviewee and interviewer showing the do’s and don’ts before, during and after the interview period. Finally students were involved in role play, where students acted as interviewee and instructors as interviewer.
On September 2, 2017, Banke Access students learned how to write a report. They were provided with some guidelines on report writing, they watched instructional videos on report writing and they were provided with sample reports. After all these inputs, students practiced report writing in class and submitted reports of various Access activities as assignments.

First Aid Awareness Program

Banke Access center conducted a community service program entitled First Aid Awareness Program on June 22, 2017 at Mahendra Model Secondary school, Nepalgunj Banke. Access students had learned about emergency first aid practice during the Access Intensive Youth Leadership Camp, so they were excited to share their learning. Access students described the things to do in case of emergency and demonstrated the first aid activities with detailed steps. They demonstrated the first aid activities in different classes of the same school. Access instructors and focal person helped their students in creating the environment for the program.

Third Book Review and Discussion Program at Access Reader’s Club, Banke

Banke Access Readers’ Club organized its ‘Book Review Program III’ on May 13, 2017 at Banke Access center under the chairmanship of Ms. Nirvika Saud, the chair of the club. The book review was on the book ‘A Wonderful School’ by Bijaya Raj Acharya. The moderator Access student,Prayag Chaudhary conducted the program in which the guest speaker Mrs. Indira Sharma, two speakers, five presenters, and two critics did their roles as assigned before. The other participants or the Access students also involved in the discussion on the various aspects of the book. The focal person of Banke Access center, Mr. Hom Raj Khadka was invited as the chief guest who encouraged the students to develop reading habit and to improve performance. Similarly, the Readers’ Club also decided to organize the ‘Book Review Program IV’ on the book ‘Henry Ford (Biography)’ by Mike Vinezia. The meeting selected ten club members or the Access students for different responsibilities as follows:
1. Moderator – Ms. Soniya Oli
2. 1st Speaker – Mr. Saurav Pariyar
3. 2nd Speaker – Ms. Sabita Rokaya
4. 3rd Presenter – Ms. Binita Bista
5. 4th Presenter – Mr. Sachin Kandu
6. 5th Presenter – Mr. Mukesh Shahu
7. 6th Presenter – Ms. Sova Gharti Magar
8. 7th Presenter – Mr. Aiyoob Darji
9. 1st Critic – Mr. Gauchan Thapa Magar
10. 2nd Critic – Mr. Kebal Rayamajhi

The Club meeting also decided to invite the Access instructor Mr. Man Bahadur Khadka as the guest speaker for the Fourth Book Review Program. At the end, the moderator for the fourth Book Review Program Ms. Soniya Oli was given the copy of the book ‘Henry Ford (Biography)’ by the chair of the club, Ms. Nirvika Saud.

Access student Prayag Chaudhary moderating the book review and discussion program

Martin Luther King’s Day Celebration in Access

Banke Access Center celebrated ‘Martin Luther King’s Day’, on January 16, 2017. The Access students of both groups, including Access instructors and the Banke Access focal person marked the day by doing various activities. First, Access instructor Mr. Pramod Subedi presented about the biography of Martin Luther King Jr. and his contribution in ending the racial discrimination, injustice and inequality in America by leading the Black Rights Movement of freedom, justice and equality for the black people in America by showing some video clips. Then, Access instructor Mr. Man Bahadur Khadka showed the video of Martin Luther King’s speech ‘I Have a Dream’, and explained its theme in simple language. The students and Access instructors interacted about Martin Luther King Jr., his contributions and various issues of racial discrimination in America and in Nepal. After that the students were asked to write about their dreams for their country. At last the students enjoyed watching and dancing on the songs dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr.

Students watching a video on Martin Luther King

New Year’s Eve Celebration at Banke Access

On December 31, 2016, Banke Access Center celebrated ‘New Year’s Eve’ doing various activities in the Access center. The Access class was decorated with paper arts and balloons giving a feeling of celebration. Then students of both groups were engaged in writing about their good deeds in 2016 and their planning and commitments of doing better deeds in 2017. Then, all the students presented their writing in front of the class. After that Access Instructors, Mrs. Bindu Subedi and Mr. Man Bahadur Khadka showed the ‘New Year wishes’ in you tube and Google images. Students were gives chart papers to cut put and make their own greeting cards. It was then the time to bid goodbye to 2016 and welcome New Year 2017. Students exchanged their cards wishing each other Happy New Year 2017. Access Instructors, Mr. Pramod Subedi and Mrs, Indira Sharma distributed the sweets to all the students. Finally, the celebration ended with singing and dancing.

Students showing off their greeting cards

Old Aged Home Visit

As a community service program, the Access team of Banke Access Center visited the senior citizens living in ‘Blue Ocean Vriddhasram’ (Nil Sagar Vriddhasram), an old aged home in Nepalgunj 15, Banke, on the eve of the Christmas Day 2016. The Access students of both groups, including Access instructors and NELTA Banke executives, visited the senior people in the old aged home (Vriddhasram) to show their love, respect and moral support for the senior people. When the Banke Access team with students reached the ‘Vriddhasram’, they were offered a warm welcome by the senior people and the Management Committee of the Vriddhasram. Then, to provide an opportunity to the Access team to visit all the senior people living there, a semi-formal gathering program was immediately organized by the Management Committee of the Vriddhasram itself. The program was chaired by Mrs. Sarita Khanal, the Chair of the Vriddhasram. The Access instructor, Mrs. Indira Sharma gave a short speech about the purpose and importance of visiting the senior citizens. Then, the Access students, Mr. Sandeep Kashyap and Mr. Gauchan Thapa Magar expressed their love and respect to the senior citizens by singing songs. A senior advisor of the Viddhasram, Mr. Hari Sharma, entertained all by singing hymns (bhajans). Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Singhal, the treasurer of NELTA Banke also expressed his love and respect to the senior citizens through a short speech. Then the Access students and the teachers provided some fruits to Mrs. Sarita Khanal, the Chair of the Vriddhasram for the senior citizens living there. The Access students offered a woolen warm cap (topi) to each senior citizens in the Vriddhasram. After that the Access students talked to the senior citizens in groups and individually. The students were deeply moved by hearing the bitter experiences of the senior citizens with their families. At last the Access students and the senior citizens enjoyed and became happy singing and dancing together.

Access student Sarita Rokaya offering a wollen cap to a senior citizen

Banke Access Inauguration

Banke Access center was inaugurated formally on November 24, 2016 in a program organized at Siddhartha Cottage Nepalgunj, Banke. The Chief Guest of the program was RELO US Embassy Nepal Mr. Russell Barczyk who was welcomed heartily by NELTA President and NELTA Banke branch executives as well as Access students with garlands and bouquets. Deputy District Education Officer, Mr. Ram Suresh Yadav; Planning Officer, District Development Committee Mr. Bharat Malla, and Mr. Bishwo Raj Gautam RELO specialist, US Embassy, Nepal were the special guests in the program. The program was formally inaugurated by lighting the ceremonial Panas by Mr. Russel Barczyk. Mr. Sarad Chandra Rawal, vice president NELTA Banke welcomed the guests and participants. In his remark, special guest, Mr. Yadav stated the miserable condition of English language in the context of government school and mentioned that this sort of Access classes will obviously help the students to enrich their language proficiency and develop their personality. Moreover, he thanked NELTA and US Embassy for supporting and implementing such a grand program which eventually helps the government of Nepal and he even expressed his commitment on behalf of District Education Office to support the program. The next Special guest Mr. Malla also thanked US Emabssy and NELTA for such a wonderful program and asked the US Embassy to support in extending this program in all 75 districts of Nepal. In his remarks addressing the mass, Mr. Russell Barczyk congratulated Access students, he encouraged them to take maximum benefit of the resources of the Access program and wished for their better future. NELTA President Ms. Meera Shrestha mentioned that collaborating with the US Embassy in implementing Access program in Nepal has been an opportunity for NELTA to contribute towards the mission of government of Nepal in providing quality education. After that, RELO Officer Mr. Russel Barczyk awarded the students and teachers with the certificates of commencement. Then Mr. Sarad Chandra Rawal handed the token of love to all the guests. Finally, Access students with their teacher presented thanksgiving song expressing their thankfulness towards their parents, NELTA and RELO US Embassy. The program was attended by Access students of six cohort Banke and their parents, Banke Access instructors and Banke NELTA members. The program was conducted by Access Assistant coordinator, Ms. Prathana Basukala.