Similarly, one of the projects of ChildFund Japan is “Improving the Learning Environment in Gorkha District.” This three-year project is funded by the Government of Japan through Japanese NGOs. Overall goal of this project is to improve the learning environment of disadvantaged communities in Gorkha District by rebuilding schools, providing training to teachers and School Management Committee (SMC) members, raising awareness among parents, and strengthening linkage with the local government with the support of local NGO Unification Nepal. The Project will work with twelve schools in three different rural municipalities of Barpak Sulikot, Shahid Lakhan, and Dharche RM of Gorkha district. Story of Chandra Kumari BK On the way to Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality , at Deurali Bazar there is a small school named Thalibari Basic School. The school was established in 2040 BS. Currently there are 91 students and 11 teachers in the school and among them Chandra Kumari BK is also a teacher in the same school. She is the eldest daughter in her family. Her father, who was supposed to support the family, discarded the family so the burden to take care of the children was upon her mother. Being the eldest she had to look after her six brothers and sister as well as help her mother with the household chores. Education and going to school were out of context. But with arduous work and dedication she completed her School Leaving Certificate and enrolled herself for further studies. After completing her +2 in Education she found a job in an NGO which helped in supporting her families and their education. After working for four years in the NGO she applied for a vacancy at a local school near her village. With limited knowledge of teaching methods, she continued to teach at the school, but she was not satisfied with her teaching methods. Unification Nepal, an NGO in Gorkha had organized a 3-day Teacher Training with the support from ChildFund Japan, where Chandra Kumari enrolled herself for the training. With all dedicated and excited she participated in the training and learnt different teaching methods and modalities. After the training she was determined to use the skill she learnt during the training in practice but due to limited resources she could not deliver what she had learnt to her students. During an unofficial meeting with the teachers organized by Unification Nepal, Chandra Kumari shared that the school lacks different educational materials and due to limited budget the school is unable to purchase those resources. After the meeting, Unification Nepal Gorkha with the technical assistance of ChildFund Japan conducted a workshop on Educational Tools Development at Thalibari Basic School and Bageshwari Basic School at Barpak Sulikot. The workshop was focused on creating a learning environment through developing learning materials for appropriate classes. Chandra Kumari shared that, I never thought that there might be a different method of teaching, I always thought that we must teach what is in the course book but after this training my perception towards teaching has changed. I never knew teaching and learning would be fun and entertaining. I would like to thank Unification Nepal and ChildFund Japan for their support and hope that ChildFund Japan would continue to support both teachers and students in future too. Sponsorship Program (SP) SP is one of the major and comprehensive programs of CFJ. SP contributes to its vision of ‘a global society that ensures every child the opportunity to develop their full potential.’ The program aims to promote and protect the right of every child to survival, protection, development, and participation. The program focuses on improving the well-being of children in need, especially the most vulnerable. Through SP, ChildFund Japan provides a holistic approach to facilitate healthy growth of every child and self-reliant community based on a one-to-one relationship between a child and a sponsor. The child sponsorship connects one child in need with one compassionate sponsor who is eager to help children in need and improve the quality of an individual child. Susmita Pahari is also one of the sponsored children of CFJ. Pahari is the permanent resident of ward 3 in Sunkoshi RM and a student at Jana Jagriti Secondary School studying at grade nine. She has two elder sisters, two elder brothers and a younger brother. There are altogether nine members in the family. The family has no regular income sources as both her parents work as farm hand labor, so the financial status of her family is very weak. During her school term break, she went to visit her sister who lives in the Tarai region. In the meantime, her classmates spread the rumor that she eloped away which influenced her badly. Due to a bad message about herself, she did not go to school for seven months in grade eight. Many efforts were made from school and family to bring her back to the school, but all efforts were useless. When Tuki the partner organization received information about her absence from school, the immediate action was taken to bring her back to school. Tuki staff coordinated with the concerned school Head teacher and frequently visited her home, consulted with her parents and Susmita herself. After the regular counseling and discussion with her, she was convinced and committed to continue school. The school child club was also mobilized to bring her back to school and the club also played a vital role in it. A group of child clubs was also equally involved to eliminate the rumor that was spread about Susmita. Finally, she went back to school and is now studying in grade nine. She is also involved in various activities at school specially to eliminate social evil and fighting for the right to education.
