Category Success Stories

The OSP served as a hands-on laboratory for interns and also provided benefits to the village community. A health checkup program was held in two separate villages on the recent Saturday, June 22, 2024.

When student volunteers discovered the licensing requirements for teachers, their volunteering approach changed. They were surprised to learn that their teachers were licensed. These volunteers, from grades 8, 9, and 10, were emulating teachers by using red pens and even mimicking disciplinary methods such as using a stick, a practice observed from teachers (explaining more about child safeguarding will be another topic). A safeguarding policy was introduced to address this. The expectation of the Console Mission (CoMi) is that by volunteering in peer group studies, the students’ knowledge and focus on their own studies would improve. This expectation was met, and CoMi anticipated that even without external help, the volunteers would excel if they made an extra effort and concentrated. The Our Study Place (OSP) has been a proven project and is now considered an initiative by CoMi.

OSP is making a significant impact, and it’s surprising to see how effectively children can learn without a tutor. There are essential features and characteristics of OSP that facilitate this.

OSP was a test project initiated with financial support and participation from the locals of Nayagaon village in Nepal. (2018 – 2023)

The OSP’s impact was presented to the chairpersons of 18 wards and 3 municipalities on June 11, 2023. They received a booklet to aid in OSP’s implementation during an interaction program. However, the interaction proved to be insufficient. The ward representatives, chosen for their educational qualifications, inquired about salaries, and it was explained that OSP requires collaboration between the local government and CoMi. To set a precedent, CoMi has initiated OSP in two villages, Chaughare and Ghurdum, which are among the 18 wards. The goal is to expand to the remaining 16 wards within the next three years. These 18 wards encompass over 540 villages, with a population of more than 3410 children under the age of 18, and a total of 6820 households according to the Nepal Census of 2021.

Another feature of OSP is its simplicity to start; for instance, an 11th-grade student began an OSP initiative after a brief 15-minute introduction to its educational significance.

• The OSP initiative is designed to support both students and teachers. In Nepal, the weather and natural disasters pose significant challenges, particularly in the mountainous, hilly, and plain regions. Teachers often face inconsistent travel times to their workplaces. During the monsoon season, landslides can disrupt travel, compounded by limited transportation options and frequently poor road conditions.
• In socially and geographically disadvantaged communities, parents often lack the time to spend with their children, struggle to create suitable learning environments, and their own level of education can impact their ability to assist their children’s learning.

Authored by a management volunteer at Console Mission.

Covid-19 has impacted individuals globally in numerous ways. A student from the far eastern region of Nepal, Okhaldhunga, arrived in the country’s central city but, unable to afford her college fees, sought assistance from Console Mission.

After completing grade 10, students in Nepal have the option to pursue a career path that allows them to earn after a 3-year Vocational Course, overseen by a government project known as CTEVT. The cost ranges from 8 to 10 lakhs in local currency, or approximately 7000 to 8500 American dollars. Some students secure scholarships or manage through loans. Often, their parents hold low-paying jobs or work in Middle Eastern countries. However, the pandemic led to job losses, forcing many to return to Nepal and their children to discontinue their studies. I encountered a similar case; after understanding her needs, I provided her with a scholarship form. She completed it and submitted the necessary documents. Imagine she had to stop attending her online classes because she couldn’t pay the fees, while her parents advised her to manage until they could afford it. Unfortunately, this approach was not feasible. She still has one and a half years left to complete her Diploma in Engineering.

I received positive feedback on the scholarship application. When I shared the news, she expressed her gratitude with heartfelt thanks, saying, “Thank you so much, sir, for making my dream come true by giving me the opportunity to continue my studies.” Isn’t this what we have done, planting a seed of hope? We discover that everyone has plans for our welfare, to provide us with a future filled with hope. In the days ahead, this student, along with many others, will realize who guided us to make this happen, to achieve our hopeful future.

“heartily Thank u so much sir Hajur harule mero sapana pura garne mero padhailai continue garne abasar dinyvayo thank u so much”