VICTIMS OF CONFLICT MONITORING T

VICTIMS OF CONFLICT MONITORING TRIP - BARDIYA, JANUARY '07

Student Name: Sarita B.K #2

Class: 4

School: Araniko English Medium School

District: Bardiya

When she bowed down to give me her flowers, tears came to my eyes. She was so humble in her offering of these wild flowers that it struck me that “We are not doing these children a favour but it is their right to have an education. We from wealthier countries are sharing our wealth which is what we need to do to keep the world in balance.”

Sarita at the front of her classroom

Sarita’s hair was so tangled and unkempt that after several attempts the Hostel Supervisor had to cut her hair short. Sarita was so upset that she did not speak to the Supervisor for three days running.

Birani Tharu, Dambar Bista, and Saraswati Bhusal giving flowers to Michelle

Left to right –

Birani Tharu

Class: 2

School: Araniko English Medium School

District: Bardiya

Dambar Bista;

Class: 2

School: Araniko English Medium School

District: Bardiya

Saraswati Bhusal

Class: 2

School: Araniko English Medium School

District: Bardiya

Birani Tharu

Sharshwoti Bhushal

I have the pictures of the other students but the numbering on my digital camera and the pictures don’t match the numbers I wrote in my notebook with the names. I will send them to Purna and she will indicate which picture goes with which girl. I do believe that these above ones have the correct name to the picture.

Dambar Bista

Dambar Bista’s father: He was so badly beaten by the Maoists that he is no longer able to work. He displaced which means he is not only landless but homeless as well. He lives in a small mud hut in a field with other displaced persons. He traveled 6 hours on his bicycle to come and meet Purna and Michelle. He left his home at 5am in order to arrive at the school at 11am. He has only Damber left to his family.

Group from Bardiya After entering into Araniko English Medium School and the picture below is the day the students were registered. There is a difference isn’t there?

Most of the girls had to be taught how to use an indoor toilet, how to clean themselves and how to eat. These girls come from villages and live in extreme poverty which was worsen by the death of a parent.

The computer room. This room has two computers and serves the whole school as well as the teacher’s needs.

The computer room and Office which houses the teacher’s work area, the Principal’s office and all the instructional materials [very little materials, mostly charts]

Typical classroom.... This is only one side... It gives an idea of how crowded each student is. This is the grade two class where the 3 first row students are IWENs.

The whole school population lined up and our car drove through the middle. They had put a red welcome sign which is visible at the front gate.

In this school there are over 450 students. It is one of the best schools in the area. There are 15 teachers. It is an English Medium School which means that most of the subject are taught in English by Nepalese teachers.

I reviewed the student’s portfolios and all were doing fairly fine except one student. She is quite far behind her classmates in terms of math and reading. I will get Purna to identify her on my pictures.

All of these girls came from government village schools where the standard is very low. They were all about if not more than 1 year behind the students attending this school. They are catching up slowly but steadily.

It was a huge adjustment for these girls. Most came from villages where their home was a mud hut, without toilet facilities as well as plumbing and electricity. They have not only loss a parent, but now are separated from the rest of their families. Despite this each student wants to come to school. Each appeared so grateful for the opportunity given to them.