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NJSI celebrated inauguration ceremony of St. Xavier’s School, Deonia on 19^th of April 2018. St. Xavier’s school Deonia was established in 1999 A.D. by Nepal Jesuit Society. Altogether there are 6 Jesuits schools in Nepal.

One of the buildings of this school was destructed by the earthquake of 2015. Xavier Network funded the construction. The two story building consists of twelve rooms and laboratories for 10+2 students. Reverend Fr. Dennis Soosi is the current principal of this school. The school educates more than thousand students, most of whom come from economically low family background. It has very low fee structure and provide scholarship to most of its students.

“Before I felt like I was a loser, now I feel stronger and winner; it has given me the confidence to lead my life, myself” quoted Seema Sharma Chaulagain, a graduate of management course supervised by NJSI while sharing her experience with a staff of NJSI.

Nine girls and one boy graduated with 6 months long management course facilitated by Sisters of Charity of St. Annes and funded by Xavier Network, on 18^th of April at Toukhel, Godawari, Lalitpur. The course comprised of basic computer, typewriting, personality and human relation development and English language. All of them passed with satisfactory grade. During our evaluation visit, few months ago, they were hesitant to speak in English. We were in awe to see the whole program coordinated by the students in English; they presented welcome speech, vote of thanks and songs in English with confidence, which we had barely noted during our last visit.

Angshu Nagarkoti, another graduate said that she used to be shy during initial phase of the course but now, she has gained the confidence not just to interact with others but also constructively put her opinion in the group.

NJSI handed over another women activity center “Kunta Besi Satsang Unit Woman Hall” to the beneficiaries of Kunta Besi, Kavre  on 15th April 2018 in the presence of local well-wishers and government representatives.
The facilitators emphasized on the need for unity and team work as this center remains as a sign of unity and common home for all to make use of it. Kunta Besi Woman Empowerment Group and the community thereafter offered certificate of appreciation as a gesture of gratitude towards NJSI, Xavier Network and all individual helping hands.

Kunta Besi Woman Empowerment Group comprises of women from various background and occupation: teachers, housewives, farmers and day laborers. However, their income is very low and they have to depend on male members of the family even for trivial matters. A member of the women’s group, Laxmi Sapkota said that after the construction of the hall, the 46 membered group no longer have to meet beside dusty road under scorching sun to discuss about social agenda; instead they can also use the hall to conduct women empowerment trainings and celebrate social and religious festivals. They are looking forward to NJSI’s support in facilitating different trainings so that they can earn income as well as independence.

On 19th March 2018, NJSI handed over Shree Saatkanya Early Childhood Development (ECD) center to Saat Kanya School located at Balephi -06, Sindhupalchowk. The center was built with the sponsorship from Xavier Network. Currently, it benefits twenty six children (twelve boys and fourteen girls) under the supervision of one facilitator, Ms. Uma Paudel. The center will also be used as women activity center.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by the regional superior of Nepal Jesuit Society, Fr. Amrit Rai S.J., the director of Nepal Jesuit Social Institute, Fr. Roy Sebastian S.J., NJSI community Superior, Fr. Arulandam S.J., secretary of Jesuit in Social Action, South Asian Assistancy, Fr. Stanislaus Jebamalai S.J., chairperson of Balephi ward 6, Mr. Chitra Bahadur Tamang and 65 villagers. The local participants were appreciative towards NJSI’s approach to enhance village’s children’s education and they anticipate further support. They also presented a letter of appreciation for NJSI’s contribution.

NJSI is thankful for Mr. Yamnath Paudel for providing his hand to construct the building.

 

 

International Women’s Day Celebration at Jaretar, Kavre was incorporated with the celebration of completion of tailoring training. 16 Danuwar women had completed three months long basic tailoring training. Altogether 27 women participated in the program along with their children. The program started with visual presentation of women icons of Nepal, speeches from women’s group, songs, dances, quiz session and certificate distribution. The group actively made a march around neighbourhood chanting slogans of women empowerment.

International Women’s Day celebration in all 4 places fortified the notion that abilities are not stratified based on someone’s gender. It is just social construction that have led men to be a “better” gender. NJSI will continue to dismantle such stigmas by creating opportunities for women to utilize and outshine their potential, and prove themselves.

We thank all the donors who have supported in this mission and express special thanks to Misio Achen for sponsoring International Women’s Day program themed “the Campaign for Women Empowerment” in all the places.

“In this life, no one knows how a daughter dies.

She does not have rights to live freely

Where is the so called justice when a pregnant lady is abused?

No one sees the burning soul within.

We don’t need the crooked law that harasses weaker ones

For that we will seal our mouth no more

Wind of awareness is blowing, unstoppable one

Neither will we stop until the day of our victory

No need to confuse us claiming east to be the west

Because just like torn clothes, lies don’t last

What an unjust world…

Some wear dazzling clothes while some have barely to cover up

Some have lavish meal while some can afford only a hungry stare”

Poem by a teacher of Ramechhap

Celebration at Kalidevi had the largest number of people (91) gathered to cheer for gender equality. Almost all of the participants were from Kalidevi Women’s Group; only two participants were male: village’s chairperson and an agricultural trainer. This group is one of the strongest women’s group we have supervised. They have shown strong sense of unity among themselves and drive to work for women empowerment. They attended the program despite of their need to be at the farm sowing potatoes.

After the women’s day march, they reflected on each slogan written on boards and women icons presented by NJSI staff. We had conducted an activity session in all the places whose motive was to make them realize importance of communication, equality, leadership and unity. Second part of the session involved asking them what they would do if they were the ruler of the world; most said that they wanted to make the world a just place. The program adjourned with folk songs and dances, and happy faces returning home with determination to step up for equality.

“A daughter is also your child, remember mom and dad,

Let’s have the courage to fight for her, there’ll be no loss

Writers, poets, philosopher, professors, doctors, daughters have become,

Let’s have the courage to fight for her, there’ll be no loss

Parijat planted seeds of literature, Raksha Rana flew airplanes,

Let’s have the courage to fight for her, there’ll be no loss

They have shown their spirit, don’t fool them, they won’t be fooled

They have been examples for nation,

Let’s have the courage to fight for her, there’ll be no loss

Goddesses Sita and Bhrikuti were also daughters like us,

President and ministers are daughters

Chief justice and public figures are daughters, you know them

Respect her, they are not weak, there will be no loss.”

A song composed by a teacher of Ramechhap