Freedom - Finishing the dreaded SLC!

A few weeks ago, Sabitri, Sarita and Sarika finished their SLC exams. The SLC is known as the "Iron Gate" - the final frontier of school. So much pressure is put on the students by their schools, their teachers, their families, society.

As they wait for their results, we asked the girls to write about how it felt to finish their exams and be free of class 10 and the dreaded SLC.

Sarita wrote:

I was really excited to finish my SLC exam because I was really being bored going to study class every time. After waking up from morning coaching class to night study we had to see the face of same person. I always made silly mistakes unknowingly though I didn't want. So I was tired of getting scoldings from sir each and every time. I wanted to be free from everything so I was feeling very happy thinking that I have no more days to get scoldings from sir. After waiting for 2 to 3 weeks SLC arrived knocking on our doors. From 6^th of Chaitra our SLC started and it finished on 15^th Chaitra.

I felt happy very much because thinking that now I didn't have to worry about my study. SLC has finished but there will be lots of challenges that I have to go through in college. So I am scared a bit and also I am scared thinking about my result. I am also worried about my future what if I won't be able to do things that I have to do confidently. I have to do lots of hard work to achieve my goals successfully. So I am planning to do all kind of work properly and confidently. I am thankful to Bec because she gave me opportunity to teach Alisha and Rebina. While teaching them I could also learn many things from them. So now I am happy and waiting for my result to be published and also I am trying to build up more confidence on me to face the challenges that I will be getting through in college. This is all how I feel and if I won't be able also there are lots of friends and Bec to encourage me so am grateful to them all. 

Sabitri wrote:

SLC SLC and SLC my head was filled of this three letters. All plans were held on pending due to SLC. I was so hurry to finish it fast and carry out plans that we had made to do after SLC. In the time I was so excited to complete school. I wanted to feel how life goes on after finishing SLC.

 

So I did it. Yeah I did it. I felt so proud to pass the Iron Gate. I felt so free. I thought not to miss school anymore. I thought to complete my remained works. I made lots of plans to do in these holidays. But contrary to this, things went in such a speed that I start missing school days before I complete my plans.

 

I think this happens to all the SLC appeared students. Three months holiday was what we waiting for so long. It is the best time to make up our self, giving time to our interest.  Considering this fact I joined computer class and foot ball coaching. Having SLC finished has not only filled excitements on me but also made me to take responsibility. I am feeling little matured to take responsibility and I think it’s kind of good to have such feeling.

 

It is the best time to take decision and plan for future. We have to join college and choose subject as per our goal. I’ve planned to join law in order to be a lawyer.

Sarika wrote:

I am very glad to have finished my SLC because now I don't have to go to again that school. And I am bored of waking up early in the morning and studying up to 11 o’clock. Now I don't have to wake up early in the morning and studying up to 11 o’clock. Now I feel I am free from all things when I finished my school. Now I can wake up late in the morning whenever I want. I am very happy to have finished my SLC.

When I finished my SLC I thought for my future plan. What can I do for my future to make bright. I take decision from many people but at last I thought I should study management for my future. Because it can help me to make my future nice forever. So, I thought I should focus in management for my future because I want to help my family business. So, I will study management nicely for my future.

 

 

Women - Poem of Hope and Thoughts of Gods

For International Women's Day on March 8th, we asked the girls why they love being a woman and we asked the boys why they love women. Puja wrote a beautiful poem inspiring women to have hope and Simon shared his thoughts on women as gods.

Enjoy.

POEM OF HOPE FOR WOMEN

 

I am not feeling guilty

To be a woman

Whoever feels guilty

That is very filthy

Never less, neither less

Maximum women always

Watch their weakness

That is shameless

This is their foolishness

That's why they never fly

Even they have wings to

Touch the sky so high

Because of their own thought

About themselves

This is so filthiness

This is so sadness

Nature is crying

That is why I am saying

Raise your voice!!

They will shut your mouth

Again raise your thought

They will salute you but

After converting you're thought into action

That is all about you, even a fraction

Of your thought change into action

Will change many things in the world

Weakness is strengthness

See yourself into that level of deepness

Then you will find sense, knowledge

Had more along with that thought, sense, hope

You will never be dominated

Because dominating people are dominating themselves

This world is full of negative people

so be full of hope, be a woman!!

 

Puja Chaulagain

International Women’s Day 2014

 

I LOVE WOMEN

 

I love women because women are those people who are like a god. They are very different from men but their minds are much more active than men's.  They are helpful as well as frank with everyone. They will always be in my eyes as god. One parent does not give the right to eat properly, right to education, as well as the right to shelter. Women always fulfilled these needs for their children. Some people made the women work instead of educating them. If such thing goes on how can wives or a daughter live a happy life? This is such a bad thing. We must respect them as a god.

 

Simon Raut

Class 7

 

Do natural disasters have a greater impact on the poor?

This was a question in one of the girl's A level exams. I set the challenge to one of our class 10 students, Sabitri Pathak, to explore her thoughts on this important question. Often schools teach the students these issues in separate topics - "What are natural disasters?" and "What problems and challenges face the poor?" Putting them together and exploring the impact, especially as a comparison, was a great critical thinking challenge! Thanks for accepting my challenge, Sabitri!

THE POOR SUFFER NATURE’S FURY THE MOST

Sabitri Pathak

An unpredictable incident that interrupts the whole ecosystem of a certain territory especially natural scenes and human settlement is called nature's fury or natural calamities. Floods, landslides, earthquakes are major examples of natural calamities. The poor and less facilitated people who don't have adequate goods to fulfil their basic needs such as food, clothes, shelter, health, etc are the major victims of such furies.

The poor often lack required food, jobs, housing, education, health and other major aspects of quality of life. They don't have jobs and rely on limited agriculture which even can't provide them with necessary food. Due to lack of funds, they can't save money and are often compelled to live difficult lives. They suffer from malnutrition and other epidemics due to unhealthy settlements and food habits.

Yes, I agree with above mentioned statement. Wealthier people can recover more easily as they have money, insurance and communications through which they can get support. But the same things are not available for the poor. Because of this they suffer most. If a flood occurs, it may destroy all settlements and vegetation. The poor lose their small piece of land from where they have been earning money. They also can't get foods and clean drinking water. They suffer from diseases like malaria, dysentery but can't get health facilities. They are even deprived of support as they doesn't have link with organisations.

Similarly, if there is an earthquake or drought, the poor have to face more challenges than the wealthy. Earthquakes may damage their houses but they can't reconstruct it. They become homeless. They can't grow crops and earn little money for their livelihood if a drought occurs. It affects their economic status which in turn gives negative impact on other various aspects of living.

The problems associated with disasters arise one after another for the poor, if nature's fury occurs. If the so called poor are given access to employment from where they can earn they don't have to face the burden of calamities effects. Micro-credit programmes and human investment should be launched to minimise poverty to reduce tension of disasters as we can't control the happenings of natural disasters.

Did the recent election really change Nepal?

There was so much hope around the CA election in Nepal last November . . . and yet still we wait!

Here are some thoughts from one of our class 10 students, Sabitri.

Nepalese people have long suffered from broken promises and the mistakes of the political leaders and their parties. The country had hoped for a new constitution after the successful first Constituent Assembly Election held on Chaitra 28, 2064. However, so far this hasn't happened even though it has been over five years. So, the Second Constituent Assembly Election was crucial for the future of Nepal and its people.

Despite the instability and disorder, the second CA election was successfully held in November 2013. Surprisingly, the result favoured the Nepali Congress over other parties. The next step was for the government to be formed, consisting of 601 members – 245 directly elected members, 335 proportionate members and 26 nominated by cabinet. Nearly 2 months have passed but still the government remains unformed. Instead, the parties are fighting a cold war between their own members over the powerful seats in the parliament. As a result, Nepali Congress has not been able to obtain a majority leaving the future still uncertain.

The caretaker government under Chief Justice Khila Raj Regmi, which was supposed to be dissolved after the election, is still actively doing the government’s job.  People participated in the election with an expectation of a better country through a better government. But now people don't even know what is going on within the parties. All this fighting obviously will delay the constitution making process even further.

I am not optimistic about the government's ability to deliver. The present scenario compels me to feel so. I think spending millions of rupees from the State Treasury for the election caused a huge loss for the country with no clear benefit. We can only wait and see.

Sabitri Pathak,

Class 10

 

 

 

Tourism - a crucial part of Nepal's future - Sarika's thoughts

Tourism can be a double-edged sword, especially for a country like Nepal. The potential for exploitation through voluntourism and "poverty tourism" is high as is the impact on the environment. However, it is also a wonderful opportunity for Nepal if managed carefully. We explored this crucial topic in detail with the kids recently through the CSU debating competition.

Sarika, one of our class 10 students and one of our debaters, followed up with her thoughts on the benefits and risks of tourism in Nepal.

Tourism is good for Nepal

Sarika Bohara, class 10, KVS

Nepal is a beautiful mountainous country. Nepal is rich in natural resources like lakes, forests, rivers and mountains. So there is a great prospect for tourism in Nepal.

 

Our culture and natural things are loved by the tourists. Every year thousands of tourists visit Nepal for pleasure and recreation. This is very beneficial to Nepal. Tourists spend a lot of money. Young people can get employment guiding them and helping them. Similarly, tourists buy Nepalese products which preserves traditional arts and handicrafts. We can spread our culture all over the world. Our hospitality and kindness also inspires tourists.

 

Despite all the positive parts, there are also some problems with developing tourism in our country. There is no security for tourists. There are not good hotels in all parts of the country. Naturally beautiful places are not easily accessible by road. Some of the other problems created by tourism include increased pollution, diseases and drugs and a negative effect on local culture and the environment. When more tourists come to nepal, they use plastic good containers and throw them wherever they want. Nepalese young people are fascinated by foreign cultures and they try to copy the cultures of the tourists. There are such things in their culture which are not suitable for us. Due to the influence, our local culture disappears. Also, to make room for roads and lodges and restaurants, deforestation takes place and wildlife is disturbed.

 

Overall, tourism carries a lot of potential for Nepal to earn foreign currency and create employment. The government should support this important area for the future of our country.

Convincing their peers to stay in Nepal rather than end up in slavery in Qatar

Nepal was ranked 5th on the recent Global Slavery Index. With over 45% of 16-24 year old Nepalis going overseas to work and many of these ending up in exploitative conditions, there is a serious problem to be addressed.

We asked class 10 at our model school, Riviera International Academy, to write a letter to a friend who was planning to go to Qatar for work (one of the most dangerous and risky countries in terms of slavery). It is their peers who are going, their rural cousins. It is the educated ones who can help prevent this by become job creators, by speaking out, by encouraging their peers to stay.

What we loved about their letters was their pride in being Nepali, their belief in their country. Patriotism like this is a wonderful strength - I really hope these young people continue to harness it for the future of their country.

Enjoy reading some of their letters below.

Happy Diwali - The Festival of Lights

Tihar, also known as Diwali, is my favourite festival. It is an opportunity to celebrate different animals, join with our communities to clean up and decorate to invite Laxmi, Goddess of Wealth into our homes, and to celebrate our Brothers and Sisters.

Sabitri Thapa, one of our class 11 students, shares more details about celebrating Tihar in Nepal.

Tihar

By Sabitri Thapa

Tihar is one of the main festivals of Hindus. It falls during the month of November. It is the festival of light. We can see various kinds of attractive lights all over the communities in Tihar. The environment looks so glamorous during Tihar.

 

It is celebrated for five days:

1. The first day is Crow Tihar. A person worships the crow and gives them special foods, putting tika on their forehead and garland around their neck. No matter how people hate crows, they worship them.
2. The next day is Dog Tihar. There are people who get irritated when hearing the name of dog but in Tihar everyone worships them. They worship the dog and give them foods to eat.
3. The third day is the day of goddess Laxmi. In this day people worships cow thinking them the next face of goddess Laxmi. People show their kindness to cows and give them foods to eat. In this day people play Bhaili. It’s one of the traditions that have been followed by our ancestors. So people still follows the tradition. People, especially girls wear different kinds of cultural dress and they roam all around the neighbors singing and dancing to get money. People do these things at night. We can see the number of groups in towns playing Bhaili. They sing and dance and earn money.
4. The next day is the day of ox. People worship them like they worship cows and dogs. This is also the day for boys like girls they play Deusi in this day. Some boys wear cultural dress as well. They also dance, sing and earn the money. This is the second last day of Tihar.
5. Finally the last day comes, bhaitika. All sisters put tika to their brothers and they give them presents as well. Brothers in return give money to their sisters. This is the end of Tihar festival.

This festival has both advantages and disadvantages as well. It’s a good thing to celebrate this festival on one hand as people at least respect the animals. They earn money and it is the only festival where people find more happiness as they play deusi bhailo to earn money on their own. People feel loved by their sisters and brothers on the day of bhaitika. They can spend as much time as they want with each other. It ties the relation of brothers and sisters.

Talking about the disadvantages, there are many. People get drunk crossing the limit as they are free to drink. They play fire crackers which may be the bad result for kids. Especially, teenagers, they throw the fire crackers wherever they want to and many people get injured. This is the evil habit of the wild teenager.

Tihar is one of the great festivals of Hindus. It should be celebrated but in a good way. It obviously needs to be preserved as well.