Archives 2019

Bulakhi Chawor (or, Nostril Garden) is a village that was found in 2015 by a grassroots level NGO in Nepal where there were 23 households. Now, since earthquake highly affected, their house where families were living together as joint family is separated busy in making earthquake protected house together. They learned to do it and it has been a practice that villagers work together. But, it is observed that to complete they lack fund, most of the houses are in an incomplete stage. The fund provided by the Government was not enough that locals took loan like Tilak who as an elder brother managed his and his brother’s family during the earthquake who was away as migrated worker abroad in middle east countries, after their house fall down, he searched for help and received required materials to manage temporary house for himself and his entire village. And, now when the road collapsed of heavy rauinfall, he is searching for support. As Console Mission’s Executive visits Bulakhi Chawor on September 27, 2019 (i.e. yesterday), to find a place to manage “Educational Coaching Class” for the children who are suffering not getting support from their parents who are illiterate and not capable to guide children to do their homework and prepare for test, Tilak told that after his room is complete it could be used for Children’s Educational Coaching.

At Nostril Garden, half population of the households lives down part and other half at top. When, Study Center was started, it was in School located down. But, the collapse of road is risky for children from top to reach. Tilak house is located at top. He allowed his daughter in law to teach children at School but now when it is stopped because of the road situation, Tilak shared even his house is incomplete, class can run. It looks floor is fine for children to sit and wall to stick white board, but as winter is arriving and at top of the hill it is cold 12 months, children needs warm. Therefore, if this grassroots level NGO could help to manage window, door and what is necessary, children will get a place free of charge.

Walking path is dangerously affecting lives that children are at risk that there parents stopped sending for educational coaching

Every year School Leaving Certificate (SLC) or, School Elementary Examination (SEE) completed students of public school gets opportunity to apply for educational scholarship. This year students linked with the NGO where I am associated went through the process and appeared for the scholarship examination. During the process, student were charged about Rs. 1000. And, submitted document with the voucher that was deposited in the account that was provided. It was not surprising to see a private bank handling the payments by operating bank inside the Government premises. I think, it was the contract or the bank provided service to the Government. However, the receiving transaction must be many that such facilities is available inside the premises.

Many students from all the districts of Nepal arrived the location located within th capital city, after the announcement of the application, process to apply and the deadline to apply for it.

Since, this writing concentrates self-sufficiency to manage the scholarship, I would like to reflect some simple calculations: if there were 100,000 students, out of the charge Rs. 1000, the total amount collected/paid by the student will be Rs. 1,00,000,000. According, to the scholarship payment student gets Rs. 5000 per month. The students that I am linked planned 3-years course. Then, such student gets Rs. 5000 × 12 months × 3 years equals (=) Rs. 180,000. Based on this budget, per student 555.55 (~556) numbers of students can get scholarship.

I haven’t gone through the details like:

• What are the numbers or the available seat for scholarship?
• What is the exact scholarship amount?
• Targeted group for scholarship based on the ethnicity or socially backwardness?
• The fact about this current year scholarship?

In conclusion, not reflecting the hardships that students has to go through, it is a self-sufficiency and self-efficent way to manage scholarship program for the Government.

Have you walked to school everyday for more than an hour? During my school I used to walk 30 minutes after completing grade 5 before then after 15 minutes walk I used to reach school. From grade 6 and above, school was located at some other place, so 30 minutes was minimum time, I start 9:25 am and reached before assembly or exactly that I manage to keep my bag in assembly area.

I grew up in a town, the headquarter of a district in western Nepal. Now, my school has their own bus. And, for those who are from outside of the town, residential facilities was available and it is still continued. Since Tansen is the town with facilities of education, health and business, many from within the district and even outside of the district used to come and go and many lived in rented room. There are 3 – 4 popular with capacity of 800 – 1000 student schools are still running where student from the surrounding used to walk for more than an hour to reach school and many discontinued after difficulties in studying i.e. doing assignments or getting fail mark test. I think they gave reason to their unknown parents about education that they could not walk anymore. Or, for some who continued even after they failed in final examination felt ashamed and later changed school and some passed and some failed again and started to help parents in field or did nothing than roaming or hanging around. At that time, I did not know about girls who ran away (married) or guys who brought wife at young age before completing school education because I did not really care about it. I become more aware when I learned that Nepal lacks quality human resources during my Master’s research.

It is disadvantage for Nepal and for the global world.

These girls who grew up in village have similar stories. They walked a long way about 2 and 1/2 hours to reach their school after passing grade 5 because the nearby school had until grade 5 only. Now, seeing them preparing for course that will equip them for professional job that helps in earning and, advantage for their community and locality where they lack qualified people gives happiness. There are 7 from different villages of the rural areas of the Lalitpur district preparing for college of which 6 are girls. 3 of them are living in Console Mission’s rented house. They go for preparation class early in the morning and after returning practices.

Children from the areas that Console Mission is focusing

Family in front of their house made after earthquake 2015

There are children who are in need of uniform, educational materials and educational coaching.

There is one case who hold for a year from running away at the age of 14 because she was getting educational materials and involving in annual get-togethers. Talking to her mother it is learned that after girls have menstruation it is culturally unlikely that they stay with parents.

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As we entered slum, I realized that I should have wore mask that helped me from air pollution cause of the river flowing nearby. The river was filthy and the colour of the water flowing is dirty brown. However, the inside part, the narrow path inside the slum was clean. It looked like that daily cleaning, infront of the house is managed by themselves that gave me idea that people living there seek for cleanliness. But, it is unexplainable that it is a place where filthy water is flowing by, rubbish collected from households are collected there as a dumping site and it is also a place where fruits imported are stored. A big vegetable market is also running where there are collectively many wholesalers selling different types of vegetables like green vegetables, seasonal fruits, potatoes, tomatoes and so on.

First visit of the year March 29, 2019

A slum is a poor area of a big city. A slum is usually overcrowded and dirty, a discouraging place to live.

Most of the females were at house and washing cloths. They were squeezing cloths, lack of enough water cloths were left to soak at the top of the zinc sheet roof and some cloths were waiting for water supply. River is flowing nearby but the they lack water. There were male sleeping because they work at night. There were many young females smoking cigarettes. Knowing that starring them smoking means possibilities of conflict though a glance let them understand that it is culturally unexpected and it is harmful. But, that become habit based on their profession where they comforts their customers coming to drink alcohol or beer and smoking. One priest from Temple informed that there are females and also males suffering from incurable diseases. But, they do not care to go to hospital because of shame.

The purpose of the visit was to identify the single woman, widow and young female orphan.

2019 started well interacting a group of people who meets more than once in a week to hear things that helps them to develop their self-confidence to stay consistent doing right and inspire their society to live a better life

Console the weak and advocate the voiceless for a more fair and a peaceful society in Nepal

People from Manikhel VDCs

People from Choughare VDCs

People from Sankhu VDCs

People from Nallu VDCs

People from Dalchoki VDCs

Locals of Bhardev VDCs

A hope for a sustainable society. First to be a part of the developed world for the highest hope to fulfill responsibility of being a part of human creation.

All together there were 36 people

Recently in December 2018 I organized a review training for 23 who were trained in May 2018. Majority participants were school students. Since school has been the hub for the NGOs to organize events, the schools followed by sending participants. These two children represented school named Banaspati that is located far from the center of the village. That is why they could not make. But they made it with the help of their teacher who brought them at Console Mission’s office.

After the training they two handled assignment together. Though they were smaller compared to other participants, they were active and attentive in learning. The assignments was to reach to household of their ward in Choughare so that they will learn by practicing it. And, through them the local people got opportunity to be assessed.

Is it because of the school, the quality of the school? I will get this answer soon after organizing health activities at their school.

NTDs/STH, Choughare – a test project of Console Mission (Dilasha Aviyan)

Soil-transmitted Helminths

During the cold winter of 2018 and 2019, 23 locals were trained to identify symptoms of STH, and after their training, they visited each household to check for reoccurring symptoms. Doesn’t this strengthen their capacity? Learning is important, but learning by doing is more effective.

The focus of the project was more on understanding the symptoms than on treating with medicine. The implementation of the overall activities is still ongoing. However, medicines were administered even though they were not budgeted for. Medicines were obtained by writing an application, and consequently, they were made available because they were necessary to address the issue. It is important to recognize that medicine is a sensitive matter and it should not be handled by those who are non-medical and unqualified, as there is a risk that the drugs may cause side effects. If someone who is allergic, or has liver or bone marrow disease, or is pregnant takes it, either knowingly or unknowingly, it could have negative effects.

Even if an individual or organization can obtain it for free, government permission is mandatory because it is a highly effective and prevalent medicine. Without a permit, customs will not allow it to pass through.

During my recent visit to a government health officer in Nepal, I learned that the distribution of free medicine for treating Lymphatic Filariasis, which was last administered in 2017 to all age groups, has been discontinued. However, children under the age of five were treated with Albendazole and Vitamin A in 2018.

In the pursuit of sustainability, local faith-based organizations must demonstrate proactivity. A team whose members are aware of their impact, yet face geographical and logistical challenges in meeting regularly, is essential. If such a team were to convene and conduct awareness programs, their efforts could gain recognition as they engage with each household, akin to the local government’s teachings. Should this team propose initiatives related to health awareness—acknowledging that while public health facilities exist, geographical barriers remain—a likelihood of financial support exists. Their agenda could gain traction, securing the necessary resources. Similarly, the School Health Peer Group might receive backing based on their proven impact. Schools, health posts, and village municipal offices are required to draft an annual plan, for which local assistance is indispensable. Proposals from both formal and informal local entities are considered, with funding contingent upon their credibility. However, plans that overlap or mirror government strategies may face rejection.

As long as an individual or organization does not deviate from the government’s plan, a project or program may proceed without formal approval. However, it is crucial to ensure transparency by maintaining accurate financial records, adhering to the budget, and documenting all provisions, whether they be services, medicines (which should be dispensed logically), or training that falls within the scope of the plan.

Government Office, Konjosom Gaupalika, Lalitpur, Nepal – 27/01/2019

The project focused on empowerment and concept demonstration has concluded. By the end of February 2019, an analysis encompassing activities, challenges, lessons learned, and a presentation on the forthcoming project for the VDCs within Konjosom Gaupalika will be organized. Console Mission will be present in the area, and activities in Choughare will proceed similarly to those of the Health Club. Additionally, their plans for the upcoming year include potentially assisting the Government Health Post with the distribution of vitamins and Albendazole. Should they acquire the medication, they plan to initiate adult dosing as conducted in 2018.