The U.S. Government, Department of State

December, 2018 Volume 14 Number 2

Advisors: Hemanta Raj Dahal Motikala Subba Dewan Ishwori Bahadur Adhikari

Chief Editors: Kunjarmani Gautam (Coordinator) Prathana Basukala (Asst. Coordinator)

Editors: Jhumdevi Kattel (Ilam), Bishnu Prasad Belbase (Kapilvastu), Hema Ale (Nawalpur), Srijana Dahal (Nuwakot), Kushal Kafle (Syangja), Jenny Rai (Jhapa), Punam Karki (Kailali) Hira Lal Moktan (Lalitpur), Manju Thapa (Pokhara), Betendra Dahal (Surkhet)

Front page illustration especial credit to: Back page illustration especial credit to: Niru Ale Magar Bishal Sapkota Access Student, Pokhara Access Student, Jhapa

Phone: 977-1-4720455 Email: [email protected] URL: www.englishaccessnepal.wordpress.com celebrations, community service, language Here we are with the fourteenth volume games etc. Access journey has been of Access newsletter, December issue. We exhilarating for all involved and this issue is have been sharing our Access stories since just a glimpse of what we have achieved in 2011, when English Access Microscholarship the past six months. Flipping through the Program was introduced in Nepal. The typical newsletter, you will find the students’ and features of Access program and its noble teachers' reflections on Access, their creative objective of educating under privileged write ups and works of arts. children combined with the tireless efforts of Access officials and instructors have led to We would like to take this opportunity to the success of Access. We are proud to thank the American people, the U.S. State mention that Access program has now been Department, the American Embassy to Nepal, implemented in 23 districts of Nepal making Maharajgunj, Kathmandu for bringing Access an incredible impact on the lives of more than program to Nepal and trusting NELTA for 1000 children. So far more than 800 children the implementation of this program in Nepal. have graduated from the Access program and We are equally grateful to the Regional currently 400 students are enrolled in Access English Language Office (RELO), American in ten centers located in ten different districts Embassy, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal of Nepal: Jhapa, Kailali, Kaski, Lalitpur, especially Mr. Dennis Yang, RELO and Mr. Surkhet, Ilam, Kapilvastu, Nawalpur, Bishwa Raj Gautam, RELO Program Specialist Nuwakot and Syangja. for their continuous support and inspiration. We feel proud to be the officials of this The pleasure of working with this issue, as in program which has given us the opportunity the earlier issues, is to play with, and see the to support the mission of the government of art and creations of the students, which reflect Nepal to empower them through quality their creativity and potentiality developed education to the underprivileged children in within a very short period of their Access the country with the support of U.S. involvement. These creations will come in Government. full blossom when their energy, enthusiasm and potentiality will combine with the Finally, our sincere thanks go to Mr. Hemanta motivation and guidance of the vibrant and Raj Dahal, advisor to NELTA and Focal Person dedicated instructors. of Access Program, Nepal, Ms. Motikala Subba Dewan, President, NELTA, and the We are currently running seventh and eighth entire team members of NELTA including cohort of Access program. The seventh cohort office bearers for their unstinting support in Access students joined the program in 2017 the different modes of the program along and now they are in their second year. In this with their invaluable suggestions and newsletter, you will find their reflection of guidance for publishing this newsletter in this Access journey and what they want to achieve form. We are equally thankful to all our Access after Access. The eighth cohort Access instructors for their hard work and dedication. students have just enrolled into Access in Last but not least, thanks goes to our own November, 2018, they are getting familiar dear sweet inquisitive students. with Access activities. In their write ups, you will find their enthusiasm in participating in Happy reading! new Access activities such as cultural Team of Editors

2 Introduction

The U.S. Government, Department of State English Access Microscholarship Program (Access Program) is implemented by Nepal English Language Teachers’ Association (NELTA) in Nepal since 2011. The two-year afterschool program provides a foundation of English language and leadership skills to the 13-16 year old public school students. The students also receive intensive summer/winter sessions. Officially started in Nepal from January, 2011, this program currently has 400 students tutored by 40 teachers in ten different locations of Nepal, i.e., Kailali, Kaski, Jhapa, Lalitpur, Surkhet, Ilam, Kapilvastu, Nawalpur, Nuwakot and Syangja. The selection process of the students ensures that opportunity is given to those who are bright and economically disadvantaged. Since this is a scholarship program, no student pays for it, and every student gets free books and stationery.

The fundamental objectives of the Access Program are as follows: a) to develop students' receptive (listening and reading) and productive (speaking and writing) English skills, b) to develop their leadership skills so that they can increase their ability to meaningfully contribute to Nepal’s socio-economic development, c) to encourage them to develop tolerance of, respect for, and interest in other cultures, customs, and beliefs, d) to help them gain an appreciation for American culture and democratic values and e) to enable them to compete for and participate in future U.S. exchange and study programs.

The highlights of the Access Program: - Regular English language learning in an interactive manner

- Use of multimedia technology for teaching and learning

- Cultural celebrations of Nepali and American festivities

- Community services, such as cleaning parks, hospitals, streets; visiting elderly homes, painting public bridges and park trees; cooperating with traffic management

- Leadership and personality development (week-long youth leadership program)

- Disaster preparedness awareness and other awareness programs

- Community campaigns on various educational and social issues

- Cultural shows

3 Besides their regular school hours, the students visit the Access centers three times a week where they receive 20 hours of instruction each month based on the tailored curriculum prepared to address their needs. Each class consists of 20 students with an equal ratio of gender. The nature of lesson delivery is based on child-centered pedagogy, which is guided by the co-teaching concept. Therefore, two teachers, comprising one male and another female facilitate the students' learning in each classroom concurrently. The teachers, instead of teaching English directly, give the students a feel that they are engaged in different indoor and outdoor activities. Each Access classroom is equipped with multimedia and computers. After one year's successful experience, the students develop their confidence and speak English without hesitation, though they have yet to improve their grammatical accuracy. In the first year, the course focuses on fluency, and it focuses on accuracy in the second year.

Specialty of the Program l The Access Program, which is in more than 85 countries in the world with more than 70 thousand graduates, has been running in ten different locations in Nepal in 2017. l There are altogether 20 groups of students consisting of 20 students in each where equal gender balance has been achieved. 24 students are selected in each group where 20 students will complete the course and the rest of them are alternative candidates who can be substituted if any of the students drop out. l Each classroom is taught by two Access teachers who are proficient in English and receive specific, Access-focused teacher training from NELTA professional teacher trainers. l The curriculum was developed by the team of experts from NELTA. l The selected students are either beginners or at a slightly higher level in English, which was assessed through a proficiency test that was administered during the selection process. l The students for Access are selected from the public schools in all centers. l The program has received a warm welcome from the schools where they are studying and the community where the students come from.

4 Our Access JourJourneyney

An Account of our Involvements from June, 2018 to November, 2018

5

ACCESS News

Kailali Access Celebrates who is also the Principal of Hindu Father’s Day Vidhyapeeth, Dang. He is an erudite Hindu spiritual leader and the founder of the Kailali Access celebrated Father’s Day on orphanage center where 24 orphan girls and June 16, 2018 by making greeting cards 6 orphan boys ranging from six to twenty dedicated to fathers. Access students years reside under Mr. Yogi’s aegis. The searched information on the internet about orphans shared their tragic stories with the Father’s Day celebrations in different parts Access students who also joined the vedic of the world. Some students shared how mantra recitation. Everybody sympathized they usually celebrate Father’s Day at home. with Access student Jeevan Battarai when he Then, each student designed Father’s Day shared his bitter experience of how he became greeting cards with beautiful words and an orphan and how he is struggling to pursue vibrant colors. his education. Mr. Yogi gave a welcome speech and thanked the Access students for visiting the orphanage and trying to mitigate the tragic feelings of the orphans living at Mr Yogi’s hermitage. Students distributed the fruits to the orphans. Instructors Mr. Ram Hari Rijal, Ms. Basanta Pandeya and Bikas Pandey thanked Mr. Yogi and his team for the opportunity. Access instructor Mr. Bikas Pandey thanked the orphans and Mr. Yogi for the warm welcome.

Access students with their greeting cards

Dang Access in Community Service

Dang Access Center students and teachers deemed it worthwhile to serve and help the humanity in agony at the orphanage center that lies seven kilometers away in the village of Parsa, within the border line of Ghorahi Access students being welcomed with flowers at the Sub-metropolis on June 23, 2018. With the orphanage purpose of distributing fruits and serve the orphans in whatever way it was feasible, Gulmi Access on Field Trip cum teachers and students set out in the morning. Community Service Most of the distance had to be covered on foot. Students and teachers were warmly Gulmi Access visited an elderly home at Ridi given floral reception by Mr. Bholanath Yogi and explored some beautiful historical and

7 cultural sites on the way on June 23, 2018. Surkhet Access in Community Access students and teachers departed from Service Access Center at 7:20 am and reached Ridi at 9:15 am. There, they had breakfast and they Surkhet Access Center students and teachers explored some beautiful sites. At first, they conducted rally entitled 'Community went to the Argali Darbar, which is a historical Awareness Program on Importance of Safe palace made by Judhashamsher Rana and Drinking Water' on June 30, 2018 in now turned into a Primary School. Then, Birendranagar, Surkhet in the presence of students visited an old 'Paincho Pasal' where Bishnu Kumar Khadka, President, NELTA people exchange stuffs, it had some really Karnali Porvince, Dipendra Khatri, Focal antique materials that the students were Person of Surkhet Access Center, Access surprised to see. From there, all walked Instructors and the students. The placards through a mango plantation, students were were designed including the slogans related really amazed to see mango trees with to safe drinking water. The Access students hundreds of mangoes on it. Then, students were really excited and engaged paid a visit to Rishikesh Temple, gathered enthusiastically to get involved in rally. The some information about the temple and finally rally began from the Access Center rounding went on to see the elderly home nearby. Focal Khajura, Kalinchowk, and Industrial Zone to person of Gulmi Access Mr. Krishna Prasad Itram. Marasini and Treasurer Mr. Bal Singh Khatri were with the students and teachers while distributing fruits and other eatables at the elderly home. Students interacted with the elderly people for a while, asking about their life experience and their family background. From there, all got on bus and on the way back all went on to see the Ridi Khola small hydropower plant for a while. Back in Tamghas, Access students went to the Ruru FM station and few of them shared their Access experience in the 'Ruru Talk Time Access students during the awareness rally with banner and Program' run by NELA Gulmi executive placards member Mr. Bishnu Prasad Bhandari. Surkhet Access Conducts Felicitation Program

Surkhet Access Center invited the 5th Cohort Access alumni for sharing the happiness of passing SEE and exchanging best wishes on June 30, 2018. On the occasion, the students were very excited to share their feelings after their SEE results. The students have got excellent results in total GPA and

Gulmi Access team in front of Argali Durbar the Grade Point (GP) of English. They felt

8 nostalgic to enter the Access classroom. overcome their hesitation while presenting They also talked with the students of 7th their ideas, feelings, experience and so on. cohort and exchanged good wishes. The Mr. Bishnu Kumar Khadka, the President, felicitation program was conducted by Mr. NELTA Karnali Province and Dipendra Dipendra Khatri, the Focal Person of Khatri, the Focal Person of Surkhet Access Surkhet Access Center. He congratulated Center were also present on the occasion to them for their success in Secondary Education Examination and wished similar achievement in the future. Mr. Bishnu Kumar Khadka, the Chairman, NELTA Karnali Provincial Committee also expressed his happiness towards the success stories of the Access alumni. He also said that they had proved the worth of the Access Program. Finally, Access alumni were felicitated with red 'tika'.

encourage the students.

Asmita Acharya, an Access student is sharing experience about the camp and Access program with Mr. Gautam Marking Fourth of July in Access

Jhapa Access Celebrated 4th of July, The Independence Day of the USA in the presence of NELTA Jhapa executive members, and all Congratulations to our Access alumni for passing the forty students and four instructors. Center SEE with flying colors celebrated the Birthday of United States of America with presentation of instructor Ms. RELO Program Specialist Visits Rita Niroula on historical significance of 4th Surkhet Access of July. Following the presentation, there was a short interaction about the day among RELO Program Specialist Bishwa Raj Gautam students and teachers. After discussion, there visited Surkhet Access Center on July 2, 2018. was a short musical party with delicious food Mr. Gautam refreshed the students asking items. “It was a new experience for us because them how they enjoyed the Access Camp and we had never celebrated Independence Day how they are enjoying the Access class. He before, as Nepal does not have this day to encouraged the students as well as the celebrate.” Prajwol Sangraula remarked while instructors in order to be engaged in active sharing his experience among friends. The participation in English Access event was concluded by NELTA Jhapa Microscholarship Program. He created a treasurer Mr. Bhupesh Mardi with a wish of ‘Happy Birthday’ to America and closing friendly environment for the students to remarks.

9 Access student Bishwajan Nagarkoti receiving appreciation letter after sharing his poem from honorable guest Mr. Pradip Kumar Rai.

Surkhet Access in American Corner

Instructor Ms. Jenny Rai talking about American History explaining the significance of thirteen lines on the flag of USA Surkhet Access Center visited American Corner Surkhet to carry out several Lalitpur Access Participates in activities on July 7, 2018. Mr. Hirdesh Literary Program Kumar KC, on behalf of American Corner Surkhet, welcomed the students at the Lalitpur Access Center attended a literature Corner. At first, each of the students were conference organized by Godawari Sahityik Parishad which was held in Fulbari Party assigned to choose a book and complete Palace from 12 pm to 5 pm, July 7, 2018. At the worksheet. After this activity, Mr. first, students observed the arts exhibition on Hirdesh Kumar KC demonstrated the the topic of culture and history related to 'Maker's Space'. The students enjoyed the Godawari Municipality. Then, students 'sensor powered car' and lots of other listened and shared poems with other literary gadgets. They showed great interest in the figures from across the nation. The chief guest space and wished to visit the space in their of the program was Mr. Satya Mohan Joshi who is Nepali writer, scholar and researcher leisure. The students also enjoyed the of history and culture. Deputy Mayor musical sessions by Mr. Rabin Khadka. Mr. Godavari Municipality, Mr. Gajendra Khadka, a volunteer musician, guitarist at Mahajaran and Mr. Pradip Kumar Rai (Byakul American Corner Surkhet, interacted with Maila) and other high profile figures were students about music and his experience. present in the program as honorable guests. Students showcased their singing talents Access students took part actively in the program. Access students Pratima Ghising as well. The students expressed their desire and Bishwojan Nagarkoti recited poems on to join music classes which was warmly the stage. accepted by Mr. Khadka.

10 Mr. Rabin Khadka, a volunteer at American Corner Surkhet in a musical session with Access students Access students Niki and Khusboo are talking to Dalit women on healthy living

Janakpur Access in Community Janakpur Access on an Service Educational Visit Students of Janakpur Access center visited Janakpur Access visited the local Dalit Model Multiple Campus on July 8, 2018. Four Community on July 7, 2018. All the Access Access teachers and students of both A and students along with the four Access B group visited Model campus and observed teachers, Janakpur Access focal person and and got information about Campus facilities, chair of Janakpur NELTA visited the local Laboratory, Library etc. Students interacted marginalized Dalit Community and raised with the lecturer of that campus, learning awareness on healthy life style with the about the various fields of education offered by the campus. Students keenly observed the focus on personal hygiene and social issues Biology, Chemistry and Physics laboratory, with negative health impacts such as child finding answers to their curious questions marriage, menstrual taboo, and gender from the lab technicians. After that, they discrimination. They visited each household and discussed with the locals about the problems and their possible solutions. Local people were curious about the nature of the program and they interacted with the students in good manner.

Gangaram Sah, a local social worker said, “These types of awareness programs are needed in such marginalized communities to help people make informed choice and live healthy life.” observed the cafeteria and surrounding of the

11 campus. hours session on Essay Writing, with the focus on writing a personal essay. After that Ms. Access students are listening keenly to the lab technician Shanti Shah took a session on job application Kaski Access in Community writing, networking and job hunting. Both Service instructors presented and then gave group and individual tasks and gave feedback on Pokhara Access visited Rainbow Children's student's performance. On the second day, Home-Nepal on July 14, 2018. All Access Ms. Usha Kiran Rana and Mr. Nara Bahadur students, instructors and Pokhara Access focal Gurung facilitated the students on Preparing Mr. Mukesh Adhikari participated in the program. At first, all gathered at the Access center, carried the stationery and sports materials to be donated to the children's home. At the children's home, Access family was warmly welcomed by the children and the caretakers. Access students interacted with the children, sharing their family backgrounds

CV and how to face job interviews. During this session all the students actively participated involving in different games, group work and watching video clips.

Access Instructor Nara Bahadur Gurung instructing students about guided writing Lalitpur Access Conducts Tree and their goals in life, they entertained each other with songs and dance. Finally, the Plantation materials were handed over. Lalitpur Access Center conducted its second Access family with children at the Rainbow Children Home community service program in collaboration with Lions Club, LC Kathmandu Valley Career Development Workshop Centennial and under the guidance of NELTA, at Dhading Access Lalitpur July 21, 2018. The chief guest of the program was Mr. Ananta Bhetwal, AMJF, On July 20 and 21, 2018 a two day writing Second Century Ambassador, District workshop for career development was Governor; Ms. Motikala Subba Dewan, conducted at Access Center Dhading. The President, NELTA; Access Coordinator Mr. workshop was facilitated by Dhading Access Kunjarmani Gautam, Godawari Municipality Instructors Mr. Dhruba Raj Khatiwada, Mr. Ward Member Mr. Bhaskar Thapa, and other Nara Bahadur Gurung, Ms. Shanti Shah and distinguished guests were present in the Ms. Usha Kiran Rana. On the first day of the program. In the first phase of the program, program, Mr. Dhruba Raj Khatiwada took 2 Access students learned about the importance of planting trees and keeping our environment 12 clean from the speeches delivered by the proper use of Zebra Cross and shared distinguished guests. During the inauguration, important traffic rules. the chief guests, guests and Access students planted four trees in the Access center premise. Assistant Police Inspector of Traffic Office Mr. Kalidas Regmi offered a short awareness

In the second phase, the students and guests moved to Bajra Nagar Uddhyan, Jharuwarasi, for further tree plantation and planted one hundred trees in total. session to the students. He said that we should always be aware of the traffic rules on the NELTA President Motikala Subba Dewan and Access students road and follow them. He also requested the planting a sapling in Lalitpur Access premise Access students to convey the message to Jhapa Access in Community their school mates and families. Service Kankai Municipality-4 member Mrs. Sunita Kharel painting the Zebra Cross as inauguration of the program. On July 28 2018, Access Jhapa was involved in community service. All students and Kailali Access in Community teachers along with NELTA executive Service committee Jhapa painted a 'Zebra Cross' in Laxmipur Chowk, Kankai Municipality along From June 10 to 15, 2018, students of Kailali the Mahendra Highway. The work was Access Center, Group B participated and carried out in association with District Traffic completed their community service activity Police Office Jhapa. Mr Rajesh Rai, the chief for second semester. Their theme for the of the district traffic office, and Mrs. Sunita community service was "Tree Plantation and Kharel, member of Kankai Municipality-4, Awareness Campaign." As planned, they jointly inaugurated the zebra cross painting visited 5 schools of Dhangadhi namely Shree with Access team. Sharada Secondary School, Shree Rastriya Secondary School, Shree Trinagar Secondary NELTA Jhapa Chair Mr. Dharmendra School, Shree Panchodaya Secondary School Bhattarai, secretary, Mr. Rudra Bahadur and Shree Dhangadhi Model Technical School. Thapa, treasurer Mr. Bhupesh Mardi and On Saturday and Sunday, during their regular other executive committee members classes they prepared the poster and other participated in the event. While some students materials needed for the community service. were painting the Zebra Cross, some students Students planned the activity themselves and talked to pedestrians and drivers about the collected money for buying plants from the

13 nursery by themselves. On Monday, they Stepping stone and Access students collected went to Shree Sharada Secondary School, money from their respective schools to buy Baiyabehadi and conducted the awareness and donate some useful materials. Students class for tree plantation in class 7A. They also bought 1/1 pair of new clothes for old people planted trees at the school with other school from that money and they also bought 1 sack students and staff. The same process was of rice, 10 kg Daal, 10 kg flour, 1 packet of repeated at remaining four schools on biscuit. NELTA Kailali chair Ms. Sunita Suri different days. Access students from this helped Kailali Access by providing her school community service learnt the skills of bus for transportation. Kailali Access and managing classes and conducting classes. students of Stepping stone visited old age Similarly, these schools got benefitted as trees home on June 23. At first, they cooked food were planted at these schools for free. Students for old people. They served the food to them. at these schools learnt the importance of tree

Later on clothes were distributed to every plantation, demerits of deforestation, ways individual and food stuffs were handed over of protecting newly planted trees during rainy to the caretaker. At last, students entertained season and why tree plantation should be them by singing, dancing, reciting poems etc. done at school area. Students learnt and Some of the old people also joined in Deuda enjoyed a lot during this community service. song.

Access Students taking an awareness class at Shree Panchodaya Access family with elderly people taking shelter at the Secondary School Vridaashram Students of Kailali Access Center, Group A Dhading Access on Field trip cum participated and completed their community service activity for second semester in Community Service collaboration with the students of Stepping On 23 June 2018, Access Center Dhading, Stone English School on June 23, 2018. Their conducted community service and field trip theme for the community service was, "Help to one of the famous local temples Muktinath. Senior Citizens." Access instructor Suman As per the plan, 38 Access students and four Shrestha went to 'Baijnath Virdashram' which Access Instructors gathered at Access Center is in Mahendranagar, Suda June 16 to identify at 6 am. All of the students and Instructors their needs. There are 12 males and 6 females got into the bus and started their journey including caretaker living there. Students of towards Muktinath temple which is 10 km

14 far from Access Center Dhading. On arriving for students. Finally, Access students along at Muktinath temple premise, Access with Access instructors distributed some fruits Instructor Dhruba Khatiwada gave to old people and Gurukul students and bid instructions and based on instruction, all farewell. students observed and collected information about Muktinath temple and also entered into Dhading Access students at Muktinath temple for visit and community service the nearby cave. They spent half an hour to note down the information and got ready to Surkhet Access Conducts Quiz clean the temple premise. Some collected plastics and other garbage, some pulled out Contest weeds and some collected waste in dustbins. They did this for 1 hour and all of them Surkhet Access Center conducted Quiz- washed hands and got together on the ground. Contest on August 25, 2018. The contest was They ate and shared food they had brought the third quiz contest in Surkhet Access from home. After eating the food, they headed Center. The contest consisted of four groups towards the old people's home (Bridha Ashram) as instructed by Access Instructors. They got an opportunity to interact with the old people. Students asked some questions to the old people regarding their personal feelings and experience. Some of the old people expressed their pain to students while they were sharing their feelings. Fortunately, they also got opportunity to meet with Gurukul students and they listened to some

including four students in each. Questions related to 'American geography and culture', 'Nepalese culture and geography', 'General Knowledge', 'English vocabulary and grammar' were asked. Students took part actively. The first, second and third positions holders were awarded with some prizes at the end.

The winner team Members of Group B (Bhawana Dahal, Rina Tiruwa, Bivek Adhikari and Sandesh Adhikari – from the left) with their prizes Jhapa Access Observes Local Festival

On September 3, 2018 Access Jhapa students visited local mela on the occasion of Sanskrit sacred verse of vedas sung by Dadhikado, the festival that is celebrated on Gurukul students, it was different and exciting the following day of Shree Krishna

15 Janmastami by local Rajbanshi community and were a part of a week-long Access living in Morang and Jhapa districts of eastern Intensive Youth Leadership Camp in Pokhara. Nepal. This is their greatest festival in which On the day of their Access graduation, they play two spiritually significant students showcased their learnings and indigenous games like coconut race and achievements in front of their parents and climbing up the high single oiled bamboo that guests. is dug in the center of a muddy floor. These both games are very much exciting and The Dhading Access graduation ceremony interesting for the viewers from different parts was held at Galaxy Public School, Kathmandu of the district. on August 7, 2018. The Public Affairs Officer, US Embassy, Kathmandu Paul Thomas was As Access Jhapa students represent Rajbanshi the chief guest of the ceremony. NELTA President Motikala Subba Dewan, RELO Dennis Yang, RELO Program Specialist Bishwa Raj Gautam were the special guests. NELTA executives and members, parents of the Access students, Access teachers and NELTA Dhading executives were present on the occasion. At first, students set up exhibition booths to showcase their learnings in classroom, camp, enhancement activities, community service etc., all guests observed and were impressed by the student’s community, their parents and relatives had presentations and interactions. After the invited Access family for the presence to showcase of students achievements, the formal observe their cultural festival. Following the graduation ceremony began with a welcome song sang by the Access students. Access invitation, Access teachers and students students Roshan Giri and Babita Pariyar observed the festival. During the show, both shared their Access experience bringing both Access teachers and students, who had never smiles and tears, Access teacher Dhruba Raj seen such celebration, expressed a great Khatiwada shared his experience of being an happiness on being a part of such unique Access teacher. In his remarks as the Chief cultural practice of their locality. Guest, PAO Paul Thomas shared his Rajbanshi youths taking part in Dadhikado festival happiness in seeing the progress of Access students, he encouraged students to prepare Access Graduations

400 Access students from sixth cohort Access centers in Banke, Dang, Dhading, Janakpur and Gulmi graduated from the Access program in Aug/Sep 2018. They were enrolled into Access program in September, 2016, in these two years of Access program they received English language classes, computer and internet classes, celebrated various themselves to take advantage of opportunities. festivals related to local and world culture In the program, NELTA President Motikala

16 Subba Dewan gave vote of thanks, thanking graduation certificates were awarded to the everyone involved in the successful students and teachers by NELTA President implementation of Access Program in Motikala Subba Dewan. After that Chief Dhading center. At the end of the program, Guest, Distinguished guest, Special guest, Chief Guest PAO Paul Thomas awarded NELTA President, Access Coordinator gave Dhading Access students and teachers with brief remark. Then, all the invited guest, the Access graduation certificates. parents and teachers observed student’s exhibition session that showcased their Dhading Access graduates with PAO Paul Thomas, NELTA learning and achievements in these two years President Motikala Subba Dewan and other guests from US Embassy, Kathmandu and NELTA of Access program.

Janakpur Access Graduation Ceremony was Dang Access graduates during graduation ceremony held on September 7, 2018 at Janakpur Access Dang Access graduation was held on center (Laxminiya Janta Secondary School). September 9, 2018 at City Garden Hotel, NELTA President Motikala Subba Dewan and Ghorahi, Dang. RELO Program Specialist Access Coordinator Kunjarmani Gautam attended the ceremony. Mr. Bindeshwar Bishwa Raj Gautam was the Chief Guest, Yadav, Mayor of Laxminiya Rural Special Guests were NELTA CCM Homraj Municipality was the chief guest in the Khadka, Access Coordinator Kunjarmani program, Mr. Surya Nath Mishra (Former Gautam, NELTA Dang advisors Durga Prasad Ambassador) was a distinguished guest. Pandey and Pahal Bahadur Dangi, NELTA Along with Ganga Prashad Sah, Umesh Dang chair Puskar Nath Adhikari, Access Yadav, Principal of Laxminiya Janta Sec. Dang focal person Chetlal Chaudhary, School Mr. Ramchandra Jha, NELTA Janakpur Representative from education office and Chair Mr. Binod Sah, NELTA Province 2 others. Program was anchored by Access President Mr. Dinesh Yadav, Access teachers, student Jeevan Neupane. NELTA Dang chair Access students and their parents, some social Puskarnath Adhikari welcomed all by workers were present on the ceremony. In delivering welcome speech. Access students the program, two Access students Nikki Gajadhar K.C, Anjana Bhattarai and instructor Yadav and Ram Binay Yadav shared his/her Bikas Pandey delivered speech sharing their experience about Access program. After that Access experiences. Students Shushil Kumar six Access students performed a song in Baniya, Gajadhar K.C, Swostika K.C, Anita English language. After that, Access teacher Ms. Ritu Tiwari shared her experience as Pun and Anjana Bhattarai sang a song on the theme 'Access is Success.' On the program, RELO Program Specialist Bishwa Raj Gautam and Access Coordinator Kunjarmani Gautam gave their remarks, motivating students to keep adding to their Access learning and be in touch through Access Alumni Association. Finally, Chief Guest of the program, Mr. Bishwa Raj Gautam awarded graduation certificates to all students and teachers.

Access graduation of Banke Access was held on September 10, 2018 at Nepalgunj. On this teacher in Access program. Then, the

17 cohort received their Access graduation certificates on September 12, 2018 at a graduation ceremony held at the hall of Bal Mandir, Resunga, Gulmi. The program was attended by Access students, teacher, parents and NELTA Gulmi executives and members. The Chief Guest of the program was Mr. Dilliraj Bhusal, Mayor, Resunga Municipality.

occasion, students presented their activities establishing exhibition booths. They presented their skill, knowledge and experiences with confidence; parents and guests were happy to see student’s presentations and interactions. RELO Program Specialist Mr. Bishwa Raj Gautam, Access Coordinator Mr. Kunjarmani Gautam, Municipality Education officer Man Prasad Ragmi, NELTA Banke team, parents President of NELTA Province 5, Mr. Loknath and teachers observed activities curiously. Upadhyaya represented NELTA at the program. Prior to the formal graduation ceremony, Access students presented their learning and achievements to their parents Banke Access students showcasing their creations and guests, which was keenly observed and The graduation program was anchored by appreciated. In the ceremony, an Access Access student. Students, teachers, parents student, Access instructor and a parent of delivered speech and expressed their Access student shared their feelings about 2 satisfaction about program, likewise delegates year’s Access journey. The certificate Bishwa Raj Gautam, Man Prasad Regmi, distribution was followed by refreshments Kunjarmani Gautam delivered speech and and group photos. highlighted its importance and applicability Gulmi Access instructors with President NELTA province 5 explicitly. Loknath Upadhyaya

In his remarks, Municipality Education Banke Access Conducts Farewell Officer, expressed his happiness and Program congratulated students and thanked NELTA and RELO, US Embassy, Kathmandu, Nepal Banke Access Center organized a ‘Farewell for implementing Access program Banke. He Program’ for the sixth cohort Banke Access also expressed that Municipality is ready to students on September 30, 2018 at Banke join hands to conduct same model and Access center. In the program, Access framework program in Banke soon in instructors and the Access students reflected on two years’ Access program. First, the collaboration with NELTA Banke. Access students briefly shared what they learnt, what they did and how they enjoyed Gulmi Access students and teachers of sixth

18 was presence of Mr. David Arnold and his family, Mr. Dipendra Khatri, Focal Person of Surkhet Access Center and Mr. Bishnu Kumar Khadka, NELTA Karnali Province President as the guest in the trip. There were altogether 46 members including students and teachers in the trip. On reaching the destination, students enjoyed various games namely, bottle flipping, charade, relay race, language games, eating competition, role play game, kite flying and hot potato, along with a delicious picnic. The trip was very exciting and memorable; the two years’ period. Mr. Subash Budha, one students got ample opportunity to talk with of the Access students, filled with tears of happiness, said “NELTA and Access taught the native speakers in a friendly environment. me a lot that I had never dreamt of. Now, I Surkhet Access students enjoying a game of charade would like to thank you all for this wonderful opportunity.” Then, the Access instructors also shared their experiences, hopes and Celebrating Halloween in Access achievements during their tenure. They inspired and expressed good wishes to the Access Center Jhapa celebrated Halloween in students for their better future with some Access center on October 31, 2018. All Access guidelines and suggestions. At the end, students, Instructors, NELTA Jhapa Chairman Instructors put on tika and awarded a token and Access focal person, NELTA Jhapa a love to each student and students also treasurer were present in the celebration. honored all the instructors with khada. Student learnt why and how Halloween is Banke Access team bidding farewell celebrated in different parts of the world. To Surkhet Access on a Field Trip

Surkhet Access students and teachers visited Gothikanda Hill on top of Birendranagar, Surkhet on October 09, 2018 in support of Mr. David Arnold, English Language Fellow for Mid-Western University, Surkhet and RELO, US Embassy, Kathmandu. In the trip, there

make it memorable, they made Halloween pumpkins with papers, painted their faces to look scary resembling ghosts, they listened to scary music, did a little bit of trick or treat too.

One of the Group A student Rachit said, "We have never had such a great fun in celebrating

19 festival of other's culture, I wish we could the guests and from group B, Access student celebrate Halloween every year." Prajjwal Sangraula expressed his happiness in getting opportunity to celebrate the festival Access Jhapa also observed its 1st anniversary in the grand way and extended his best along with Halloween celebration. Access wishes. Chairperson Mr. Bhattarai, executive team shared their ups and downs that they member Mr. Parajuli and Access teacher Mr. experienced this year. All were happy to come Tika Subedi also spoke briefly and extended this far, together and strong. their wishes. Speaking at the program, the resource person Mr. Keshar Bahadur Khawas Happy Halloween! expressed his satisfaction in being a part of Dashain celebration at Access. Expressing Dashain Celebration in Access good wishes he said, "We must preserve our culture in whatever situation. So let's celebrate Access students and teachers celebrated Dashain in an original and Nepali way as Dashain exchanging good wishes and ‘tika’ much as possible.” on their forehead. Access Teacher Rita Niroula putting on Tika on an Access student On October 11, 2018, Access Jhapa family celebrated Vijaya Dasami 2075 in a formal environment at Access Center. The ceremony Deepawali Celebration in Jhapa was chaired by NELTA Jhapa chairman and Access Access Jhapa focal person Mr. Dharmendra Bhattarai. Resource person of Anarmani Resource center (the area where Access Center is running) Mr. Keshar Bahadur Khawas was the special guest and NELTA executive committee member Mr. Prakash Parajuli was the guest of the ceremony.

Access students exchanged self-made greeting cards with friends and teachers. Another important part of the program was putting tika to Access instructors by the executive committee member Mr. Parajuli then by the On November 5, 2018 Access Jhapa family observed Deepawali with Laxmi Puja, Deusi and Vaili. The ceremony started with the making of Rangoli, the place where Goddess Laxmi is believed to keep her first step before entering the particular house or organization, by Access instructor Jenny Rai and Rita Niroula who were accompanied by some students. After that, students collectively lighted some clay dios, the special symbol of light during Tihar. Then both group students started inter group Deusi and Vaili teachers to all students. Representing Group competition one after another. After the competition, they exchanged best wishes of A, Access student Aakriti Kharel, welcomed

20 'Happy Deepawali' along with greeting cards by Access instructors and NELTA Banke and had a delicious Tihar special food, i.e. Sel executive member, Mrs. Pramila Pudasaini Roti and curry. The celebration ended with as an invited guest. For the purpose, a news group photos in front of the Rangoli wearing was taken from 'News for You'. Access special Marigold garlands by students and students Sandeep Kashyap and Mahesh teachers. Shahu, Nirvika Saud, and Arkam Shekh stood in first, second and third position respectively. Access students in a festive mood with garlands of marigold The competition was anchored by an Access and colorful Rangoli student, Aiyoob Darji. 'I am mesmerized with the performance of students. Most of the Reader’s Club Activities students showed that they really can develop their future career in media', said Mrs. Banke Access Readers’ Club organized its Pudasaini. Seventh Book Review Program and the Ninth Meeting on July 14, 2018 at Banke Access Center under the chairmanship of Ms. Nirvika Saud, the chair of the club. The book review discussion was on the book ‘Finding the Titanic’ by Robert D. Ballard. The moderator, Mr. Bisannath B. K., conducted the program in which the guest speaker Mr. Pramod Subedi, two speakers, five presenters, and two critics did their roles as assigned before. The other participants or the Access students also involved in the discussion on the various aspects of the book. Access student Sharmila Chaudhary said, “This book really impressed me because I felt like being in the Titanic Ship Access student, Roshan Parveen Halwai acting as a news reader while reading the book.” The Readers' Club meeting also decided to organize a ‘News On July 28, 2018, Access students of Kailali Reading Competition Program’ on July 28, Access group A, Dhangadhi conducted the second complete session of the Readers’ Club under the chairmanship of Access student, Suman Katuwal. Access Instructor, Ms. Shanti Bhatta, was the chief guest of the program. All 20 students of Group A participated in the program. The program was organized at Access Center, Dhangadhi. The session was hosted by Access student, Sristi Singh. The topic for the Reader's Club Session was ‘Story Telling’.

Access students Kabita B.K. and Sadiksha 2018 at Banke Access Center. Joshi were the readers of the day. Both of them recited a story. Prem Bist and Niraj Banke Access Readers' Club organized 'News Chaudhary commented the presentation of Reading Competition' on July 28, 2018 at the readers. The end remarks were given by Banke Access Center. The Access students the program chair, Suman Katuwal. performed as the news readers of different television channels and presented their news Sadikshya Joshi is telling a story reading skills. The competition was judged

21 On July 28, 2018 Dang Access students both group A and group B along with their instructors conducted readers' club discussion on the book entitled 'Enriching English Through Plays, Volume 2'. In the program, all students were divided into six different groups including six members in each. Each

presented eleven book reviews. A few students presented their book review individually, some in pairs and others in groups of three or four. During the closing ceremony of the first phase, Focal Person Mr. Gokul Sharma reiterated the importance of Access Program and encouraged students to keep developing and improving their group chose a drama for their presentation. language skills and to continue striving for All six members of each groups had got the perfection. On the occasion, he acknowledged role of moderator, 1st speaker, 2nd speaker, 1st the tremendous improvement displayed by critic, 2nd critic and reflector. The first speaker some students like Santosh Sah and Apekshya told the summary of the text (drama), the Pahari. The second phase of the event was second speaker expressed the main book review through poster presentations. A idea/lesson of the drama, the first critic total of seven poster presentations were criticized the whole text including the positive displayed in the hall for students to visit and and negative aspects of the drama, and the inquire on the book. “Now that I have done second critic criticized the participants' a poster presentation for Diary of a Wimpy presentation including positive and negative Kid, I can do any kind of book reviews,” Ram aspects. Similarly, the role of the reflector was Tamang shared with confidence as he was reflecting on the whole group's presentation. putting up his poster. The first group worked on "A Hotel Girl", the second group on "Modern Technology", the Bimala Timalsina, Ritik Yadav and Santosh Sah presenting third group on Save Tree, Save Earth", the a book report fourth group on "Foreign Employment", the fifth group on "Untouchability" and the last group on "Girls Trafficking". The instructor, Mr. Ramhari Rijal was the guest teacher of the program who highlighted on the importance of reading culture.

Dang Access student Jeevan Neupane putting forth his views in the discussion session

Lalitpur Access Center conducted its third book club activity at its center in the presence of Focal Person Mr. Gokul Sharma. The hour- An Ilam Access student receiving Access commencement long event that started at 7.30 am was divided certificate from Mahesh Basnet, Mayor of Ilam Municipality into two phases. In the first phase, students Ilam Access Inauguration

22 On November 19, 2018 inauguration language game, Hot Chair; Tika Prasad Subedi ceremony of English Access Microscholarship introduced vocabulary learning through Card Program, Ilam as held at Hotel Green View, Games. Besides the indoor sessions, students Ilam. The program was attended by 40 Access got to explore the beauty of Ilam, through a students and their parents, 4 Access teachers, short hiking along the Ilam tea garden, they NELTA Ilam executives and members and also visited the American Corner at Ilam guests. Mayor of Ilam Municipality Mahesh where they had an interactive session on Basnet was the chief guest of the program, Waste Management from Shanta Khadka. Past President NELTA and Access Focal Drama competition was a major part of the Person Hemanta Raj Dahal and RELO Program Specialist Bishwa Raj Gautam were the special guests. A representative from District Education Coordination Unit, Ilam, and Headmasters of feeder schools, NELTA Ilam Executives, Access Focal person of Jhapa and Ilam and journalists were also present on the occasion. The inauguration program was hosted by Access Coordinator Kunjarmani Gautam. After some encouraging remarks from the main guests and chief guest, the

camp; Group A and B performed their drama Access students and teachers were awarded on the theme ‘Pollution’ and ‘Violence against their Access commencement certificates, Women’ respectively. The judges and guests signed by the US Ambassador to Nepal Randy were wowed by the drama performance and W. Berry. drama scripts which were all written by the students themselves. In camp, students also Access Camp for Jhapa Access got opportunities to showcase their talents; there were many singers, dancers, poets, even Access Intensive Youth Leadership Camp for a few magicians and karate kids among the Jhapa Access students was organized in Hotel Access students. At the closing ceremony of Green View, Ilam from November 19 to 21, the camp, Access students Aakriti Kharel and 2018. During the program, students were Prajwol Sangroula melted hearts with their divided into four groups of ten students each: down-to-earth sharing of their camp Daffodil, Marigold, Orchid and Sunflower. experience. The guests at the ceremony, RELO Each group was led by an Access instructor. Program Specialist Bishwa Raj Gautam and Students were involved in various indoor and Access Focal Hemanta Raj Dahal both spoke outdoor activities. They learned about child encouragingly about the performance of rights and content writing from Access Focal students. At the closing ceremony, students Hemanta Raj Dahal; team building, story were awarded camp prizes for various writing and time management from RELO competitions and at last the trophy for best Program Specialist Bishwa Raj Gautam; drama performance was awarded to the cultural awareness from Gunaraj Nepal; yoga Group B drama titled ‘Shanti: The Forced from Harinanandan Poudel; dance and arts Marriage’. etc. Access teachers led the station sessions; Jenny Rai introduced students to the creative Jhapa Access team having a fun time at Ilam tea garden art of Black Poetry; Keshav Uprety involved student in language game, Board Race; Rita Thanksgiving Day Celebration Niraula got students interacting through a

23 Surkhet Access Center observed Thanksgiving is celebrated in US and other parts of the Day on November 22, 2018. Mr. David Arnold, world. Then, students read a text on the English Language Fellow (ELF), facilitated history of Thanksgiving Day in groups and the session introducing the students to the presented their understanding on festivities of Thanksgiving in the USA. The Thanksgiving Day. Finally, students listened students had a wonderful time with Mr. David and then, sang along a Thanksgiving Day Arnold and got an opportunity to listen to song. someone with first-hand experience of Thanksgiving. Mr. Arnold shared his memories of Thanksgiving Day celebration with family and friends back in the US. He Marking Day of Elimination of explained very vividly all the activities his family and neighbors did during the holiday. Violence against Women Afterwards, students made drawings on the theme of Thanksgiving Day. Then, Mr. Arnold Lalitpur Access Center marked the Day of presented the videos of food items prepared Elimination of Violence against Women 2018 and eaten during Thanksgiving. The highlight in the feeder school Nava Jyoti Secondary was the turkey. The students also enjoyed the School in the presence of focal person. Access live streaming of the Macy's Thanksgiving students Bimala Timalsina and Nikita Parade from the USA. Finally, the students Maharjan hosted the program. At first, enjoyed the popcorn and sweet dessert as students sang song, did power point Thanksgiving feast. presentation and poster presentation on violence against women. Then, students also Access students from Syangja Access Center performed a short drama on the same theme. celebrated 'Thanksgiving Day’ on November 17, 2018 at Syangja Access center. The students watched some video clips related to ‘Thanksgiving Day’ celebration in America. Moreover, some speaking activities were Lastly Lalitpur Access focal Person Mr. Gokul conducted comparing ‘Thanksgiving Day’ in Ghimire talked about the topic and America and similar types of festival in Nepal encouraged students to respect women in from different perspectives. their families, communities and speak up Access students and teachers from Nuwakot against violence against women. Access Center celebrated 'Thanksgiving Day’ on November 17, 2018 at Nuwakot Access On November 25, 2018, Access Jhapa observed center, Trishuli. At first, students watched a

videoLalitpur about Access studentshow and performing why Thanksgiving a short drama on the Day theme the International Day of Elimination of

24 Student's CorCornerner

Let's read their thoughts. Let's enjoy along their jokes and their poems, their stories and their songs.

25

Talent In our world, there live many people. The arts. I respect other’s talent. people are different in their lifestyle, aim, hobby, talent, thinking, and so on. The When I was in grade three, my friend Udaya people are different on the basis of their drew beautiful pictures. I was inspired by favoritism. Likewise the people have him. I wanted to draw a good picture. I different talents. Talent is a thing that is practiced and tried a lot. Finally I could given by god to us. For example, my friend make beautiful and better pictures. I love Rohit has a talent of singing. He my art and other also love it. singsbeautifully andhe can dance like a Therefore, I suggest you that if you have peacock. He has a good voice. When he any talent please try hard and make it good. sings we enjoy it and feel better. Like him Focus, practice, and try to make it different I have a talent of drawing pictures. from others. If you have any I love drawing pictures but mostly I like to talent, show it and don’t be draw pictures of nature. So I love watching shy! the beauty of nature. I love making creation Santosh Sah of picture about art and making imagination Access Lalitpur of picture and I also love watching historical Friendship

Man is a social animal. He cannot live without But true friend company. He needs someone to share his is rare in this feelings, joys and sorrows. He wants someone world. There to play with and talk to. Every man is different are many friends around us. When we are in from the other. But there are some common good time, selfish friends gather around us. points between the two. Those who do not In days of sorrow and hardship, they run have common interest and temperament may away from us. But a true friend stays with us become friends, but their friendship lasts for even in trouble. A friend in need is a friend a short time. So, common feelings and indeed. sentiments are necessary for friendship. A true friend always loves and respects his A real friend is a great source of joy in life. friends. He never deceives We can pass our days happily in the company him. Only a fortunate person of friends. Man cannot live alone. A true friend gets a true friend in this world. shares our joys. Our life is full of joys and troubles. Saraswati Saud Access Kailali

27 Tihar Celebration in Access

On 2075-07-20 Monday we celebrated Tihar song; they also played madal and danced in Access. Both groups were informed to too. It was very much fun to view their come on that day. We all were very much performance. 4th and last performance was excited. All were wondering what we will given by group A-girls.it was last but be doing. All of us were very much curious favourite of all. Everyone was clapping and overjoyed to celebrate Tihar in Access. loudly. They sang vaylo song and some At first, we all made our greeting card folk songs, they danced well, played madal ready, presented Tihar banner on board and we were singing with them. It was a and decorated it with great moment to watch flowers. Rita ma’am and their performance. Jenny ma’am prepared diyo and made it ready After these we all did to light. Keshav sir and group dance and Tika sir were preparing enjoyed a lot. Everyone the schedule for the was very happy. Along programme. Girls were with dance Rongli was rehearsing their dance. also completed. We all Boys were singing deusi clicked photos with and got ready for programme. Rangoli. Rangoli was so beautiful it cannot be explained in words. After this, we all were called in the access It was perfect combination of colours and class for the attendance and for announcing drawing in floor. Dipa Limbu, Jenny ma’am, the plan for Tihar. Jenny ma’am along with Rita ma’am were responsible for preparing some students prepared the festive food. such an amazing art. After all this fun, it Keshav sir conducted deusi vaylo and Tika was time to have festive food, we all got sir to handle all round management. sel-roti and special curry for sel-roti, it was Everyone was engaged in their work. We very delicious. All were enjoying the food all were requested to stand in line and with great taste. choose our leader. All four leaders from boys and girls were made to pick up a piece Overall it was great time. I had never of paper and lucky draw was done. Luckily celebrated Tihar in such a grand way. It our group leader got 1st place to perform. was a fabulous experience for me. I wish to We all boys sang deusi song, danced, played celebrate this festival with Access family madal, and enjoyed a lot. 2nd turn was of next year as well. group B girls; their faces were smiling while Chiranjivi Chudal singing vaylo it was a great performance. Access Jhapa 3rd performance was of group B-boys, group B friends gave their best in the deusi

28 A Merchant and Rain

Once there was a rich merchant in a town. his gun. One day, he was riding home from a fair. He was carrying a large sum of money after But fortunately the powder in the gun did selling his goods in the fair. The way to his not work because it got damp. The robber house from the fair was very long. failed to kill him and loot his money. Then the merchant escaped from the robber While he was on his way, it started raining easily. He realized that the rain which he cats and dogs. He got wet completely. He cursed saved him at last. could not keep anything in good condition. Everything got wet. The money which he Moral: Everything can have was carrying got wet badly. He was very both good and bad aspects. sad. He got angry with the rain. He started grumbling and cursing the rain. As he Collected by grumbled cursing the rain, a robber heard Bashudev Dhakal it. He knew that the merchant had a large Access Surkhet sum of money. He wanted to shoot the merchant and attacked immediately with Importance of Computer in Education

A computer is an electronic problems and get a lot of machine that can be information on any topic from programmed to perform the internet. School can use high speed mathematical or computer in administrative logical operations. It can also tasks such as maintaining the assemble, store, correct and personal records of the students. process information. Computer can be used to help Computer is our close students in self learning using friend. We can't imagine our different program. Student can life without computer. search the meaning and other Computer is used in things on computer. They can everywhere like education, learn from internet. Higher level offices, transportation, hospital, bank, students can learn online courses. With the communication etc. Computer plays an help of computer, students can learn many important role in education field as well. things. Computer is very Teacher can keep records, maintain attendance important for students and for record of the students. Similarly student can education sector. use computer for presentation, can take help Suman Katuwal for their homework, can solve mathematical Access Kailali

29 My Experience of Access Class

“If some students are going down the wrong path, they don’t need motivation to speed him up. What they need is good education, which can be gained from Access class.”

Hello friends, it’s me bright Binit Bastakoti from Access center, Nawalpur. I am proud to be an Access student. Because it’s really a great platform to learn English language and for personality development.

Luckily, NELTA Nawalpur brought this special program in Nawalpur and I got selected. Since that day I have been feeling like my journey of success has started. For many people, English language used to be difficult. I also thought like that but after joining Access class, it has become very easier for me to understand and speak English. Here we are encouraged to follow and respect Nepali culture along with American culture. Access also taught us about morality, unity, leadership skill, personal development. We can also get ideas and technique to learn something new by using internet, laptop, computer, multimedia etc.

At last I would like to thank NELTA, US Embassy, and the Access teachers for providing us this golden opportunity.

Binit Bastakoti Access Nawalpur My Best Friend My best friend’s name is Ram Tamang. He is fourteen My Special Day years old. He studies in grade nine in Udaya Kharkha The most special day in my life was Higher Secondary School. He lives in Muldole with the day when I was selected for his family. He is also an Access student. Access. I still remember that day and still tears roll down my cheeks when There are five members in his family. They are his I remember it. That day is my special father, mother, sister, his twin brother and himself. day because that day changed my His mother’s name is Sunmaya Tamang. She is life. That day I realized how special thirty-six years old. His father’s name is Rajkumar I am. Access helps me to meet new Tamang. He is forty years old. His brother’s name friends from other school. Access is Laxman Tamang. He is fourteen years old. He ma’am is beautiful Access sir is loves his family a lot. handsome. They teach us in a nice and cool style. He likes to play football with friend, he also likes to dance. He likes to eat mo:mo. His That is why that day best friends are Rahul and me. He is a special day in my is very helpful and kind, so I like life. him very much. Ram Tamang Suman Tamang Access Lalitpur Access Lalitpur 30 Student Life My Feelings on Access Class

I am Ritika Mahato from Nawalpur Access There are many stages in a man’s life. Student center. I am very proud to be the student of life is one of them. This life generally begins the Access class. It is really fantastic. I made from the age of five and lasts for a few years. many friends. Teachers are very friendly as well. When we start to get bored, they tell Student life is the foundation period of our us some funny jokes and drive away our life. It is the root of success. At first, student boredom. They tell us how to greet. In a goes to school. Then he/she goes to campus. class, there are 20 students, 10 boys and 10 girls. All the students are very friendly with Students should be disciplined to get success us. Teachers taught English songs also. I am in his/ her lifetime. Students shouldn’t waste developing confidence. Before the Access their time unnecessarily. Students should class, I didn’t know about computer. I know take part in different activities and should only little bit about computer but Access class pay their attention to their study. Student made me knowledgeable about computer. We only talk in Nepali in school but in Access life teaches them to be punctual in every class all the time we talk in English. It activity. So it is true that student life is the increases our confidence to speak in English. golden era of our life. Thank you NELTA for bringing this wonderful program. I feel very lucky. Amulya Kafle Access Syangja Ritika Mahato Access Nawalpur

Teacher A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind and touches a heart. – Anonymous.

A teacher is a person who helps others to acquire knowledge, competences or values. Informally the role of a teacher may be taken on by anyone. A teacher is a person who provides knowledge and improves skills of his or her students whether at home or school. The first role of the classroom teacher towards the learner is to assess the behavior of the students. To develop their knowledge and skills to create a good relationship as students and teacher and to mold their students into a distinctive character by teaching good manners and right conduct. A role model is a person who inspire and encourages us to strive for greatness, live to our fullest potential. The role and responsibilities of a teacher is a very complex.

Uma Dahal Access Lalitpur

31 Pokhara

Pokhara is a beautiful city in western Nepal.PhewaLake is in Pokhara. Many beautiful mountains of the Himalayan range can be viewed clearly from Pokhara.

Pokhara is the second largest city of Nepal after Kathmandu. It is just at a distance of 200 kms from the capital city, and is easily accessible. There are numerous tourist buses, micro buses and local buses that take passengers in and out of Pokhara every day. Just five hours drive from Kathmandu, and you end up in a completely different place, with a completely different landscape and an entirely different feel from the buzzing hubbub of Kathmandu.

Tourists from all over the world visit Pokhara. They go for boating in Phewa lake and cross over the side to trek to the famous stupa that stands at the top of hill. A small temple lies in the middle of the lake and devotees visit it for pujas and ask for blessings.

One of the most famous tourist spots for both Nepalese and foreigners is the Davis Fall. On sunny days, we can see a rainbow above the falls. The Seti River follows through city making a deep gorge. The bat cave and the Mahindra cave are also popular tourist spots here. People can go cycling around the city. Nowadays there are also adventure sports and activities like paragliding, canoeing, ultraflight and many more.

When you visit Pokhara, you must not miss Sarangkot, a hill spot few kilometers north of Pokhara. The view of the sunrise from here is beautiful and people wake up early to witness it.

Pokhara is indeed one of the most beautiful cities of Nepal and a famous tourist destination.

Israt Khatun Access Pokhara

32 Education is very important for our life. Education makes our future bright. It makes us disciplined. Education is like friends. Education removes the darkness of our life; it gives us skills for better life. Education develops our characters. Education is a long and continuous process. It takes a long time for anyone to become a resourceful manpower. Education helps us to make our life comfortable. There are two types of education i.e. Informal education and formal education.

1 to 8 = basic level 9 to 12 =secondary level 13 to 16 = Bachelors level 17 to 18 = Masters level 19 to 20.5 = Ph.D. We cannot learn anything without education. The father of education in Nepal is Jung Bahadur Rana. Education is the key of life. It makes us knowledgeable. It develops our skills. If we have education there will be no untouchability, child marriage, superstition and social problems. We can find a good job by education. Education makes us successful.

Importance of Education Anisha Pariyar Access Lalitpur Good Manners Sannani Ra Sante Rajako Katha A person who has good manner is respected and liked by all. It has the great In the Access leadership camp, there were many value. Even a handsome man or a sessions but I liked the session of drama the beautiful woman with bad manners is most. The drama was about the history of Nepal. hated and disliked in a society. We should In the history of Nepal there was the lunacy of a queen. There were mainly ten characters in show good manners at school, in the drama, like Sannani, Santé Raja, Dante, Udante, playground and in every place. A mother the Queen, Ama, Dwarpal, and others. should teach her children to have good manners, values and morals from their I liked the character of the queen. All are serious childhood. If the children have good but the queen was more serious in the drama. I liked the part when the queen loses the war and manners, they can make progress in their I liked the part of the queen when she was future. If the children learn good manners laughing over the love of Sannani and Santé and discipline from their early age, they Raja. I also liked the acting of the mother when can be a famous person in the society as she was crying, it looked so real. I also liked the well as in the whole world. The people of conversation of Dante and Udante, which was mostly bad manners never achieve success in funny. In this drama there was their life. a theme of true love and the Ritu Khana lunacy of queen for a kingdom. Access Syangja Apekshya Pahari Access Lalitpur

33 The Festival I like Most

Nepalese people celebrate many candles, electric bulbs (lights) for the festivals. Among them 'Tihar' is one of whole night. So it is called festival of the most important festival. We also light. The fourth day is known as call it Dipawali. It generally falls in the 'Goberdhanpuja'. On that day, people month of November or October. This worship ox. The fifth day is the most festival is observed for five days. So it important day which is 'Vaitika'. Sisters is called 'Yamapanchak'. The first day worship their brothers for long life. is known as' Kag Tihar'. On that day They put garland of marigold and give we worship crows. We give different presents and different types of sweets food to crows. The second day is and delicious food to their brothers known as Kukur Tihar. On that day and brothers also give presents to their we worship dogs. We also put garlands sisters. We play Deusi and Bhailo on around its neck. The third day is known that occasion and also play Lingeping. as 'Laxmipuja'. We worship cow in the Therefore, I like this festival very much. morning as an incarnation of Laxmi. In the evening we worship goddess Laxmi as the goddess of wealth and Mahesh Kumar Limbu property. It is said that Laxmi enters Access Ilam only in clean houses. People light Book Bus

The session I liked most in the Access Leadership Camp was the Book-bus. When we went outside from the hotel, we saw a red bus which was full of books. I saw different types of books there and the teacher introduced herself and they gave us instructions about the books. Then she told us to take one book and read. We all took one book each. After reading the book, we all wrote what we understood from that story. Then we started to read another book. When I read another book, it was about volcanic eruptions. After that I wrote some points which are important. However, when I wanted to take another book the time was over and we went to another session. Paul Gurung Access Lalitpur

34 English Language and Friendship its Importance A man can’t live alone. He or she The faculty of human speech is known as lives in a society with other language. As we know that more than 200 people. He or she makes many countries exists in the world, each country has friends to share their feelings with their own national & many sub-languages. Among them. They need friendship to live them English is an international language which a successful life. Friendship is the is spoken all over the world. feeling that brings two people English language is the language of close to understand each other. It communication between two mother tongue is based on honesty and sincerity. speakers. It is widely spoken all over the world. The countries like: The United States of America, A true friend is that friend who is United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Australia not selfish and always ready to in & many other countries use English language as need. Friendship helps to take the national language. right path. Friends share their joys There are many reasons for learning English and sorrows. In reality, true friend language. Some are its simplicity, rich vocabulary, is the source of happiness. Friends & assimilating power. Moreover, all the standard always support others in difficult books are written in English. Legal books, times. medicinal books and technical books are also written in English. It helps us to have foreign trade with any countries of the world as well as It is not easy to find good friends. to share knowledge about our country to To make good friend we should foreigners. be friendly. One shouldn’t be selfish while making friends. We English is used while learning higher science, shouldn’t be jealous in friends’ technology, medicine, economics and commerce. We can't study these advanced stages in our progress. It will ruin the mother tongue. To compete with others for various friendship. Friendship will end if job internationally, English language is used. If we aren’t kind and tolerant to each we know English, we can live in any corner of other. So, we must be very careful the world. while making friends and we These reasons clarify that a person who cannot must choose good friends who use English language is like a car without wheels support us in every situation. in the modern world. So, in order to compete internationally, we have to learn English language. English language will help to make our life creative Dikshya Dhungana & innovative. Access Syangja Sujit Prasad Kushwaha Access Pokhara

35 Creative Writing

The session I most liked at Access minutes time to write a diamond bio Leadership Camp was creative writing poem. We wrote in a piece of paper and and the facilitator of the session was then we copied it in a chart-paper. We Motikala Ma’am. In the session, first she presented the poem. At last, we danced showed us different words. Then she gave in a song. I liked this session because it us time to make pair rhyme. Again she was really creative and showed us a four-line poem which was interesting and now I can in rhymes pattern. Again she showed a write poems on different sample of a diamond bio poem. It is all topics. about a person. Dikesh Pahari It was interesting and she gave ten Access Lalitpur Democracy Day Democracy is a system of a government. exploitation, etc. In democracy, the government is formed by the elected representative. It is said Mankumari Roka that democracy was first practiced in Access Lalitpur England. Nowadays, most of the developed countries in the world have democratic government. Bisket Jatra

In a democratic system, the general Bisket Jatra is a very popular and election is held periodically. The party colorful festival of our community. which gains the majority of the seats in It is especially celebrated at the election forms the government. The Thimi,Bhaktapur. During the time second biggest party is in opposition. It of this festival, Yomari (Newari rice controls the government if the cake with sweet stuffing) are thrown government does not work properly. It from homes towards the Bal Kumari makes the government work well for the temple,while the boisterous crowd benefit of the common people in the tries to catch it. According to local country. belief,a son will be born to anyone who catches In democracy, people enjoy the freedom a yomari. of equality, expression of their ideas, freedom to open political parties and Sabina Timalsina organization, freedom against Access Lalitpur

36 Everybody Has a Talent My Best Friend

Everybody has their own My best friend's name is Sudip Thapa. He talent.Talent is not visible. is sixteen years old. He looks like Atif Aslam. Sometime, talent makes a person He lives in Chapagaun. He lives with his proud. Talent cannot be shared and parents. He likes to play football and he is stolen. There are various types of a good singer. He sings very well. He always talent such as singing, dancing, sings songs in the classroom and I also sing drawing, reading and writing. The with him. In the school, Sudip sits beside talent comes to us when we are me. He likes to help others. He doesn’t tease born or from our birth. However, others. He always practices football and if we don’t follow and practice our songs. He says that it is not my mistake talent, it may not be being born poor but if I die our talent. poor it is my big fault.

Tilak Bahadur Abishek Basnet Khadka Access Lalitpur Access Lalitpur

A Stupid Cock

Once there was an old woman. She lived in a cottage. There were some hens and a cock in the same cottage. The cock was very proud but hens were completely obedient and honest. One of the hens had an evil dream one night. She told it to the cock but he did not believe it. She also told him to be careful b u t he did not care about it. One day a fox came up. He flattered the cock praising him for his kingly look and sweet voice. The fox asked him to sing. Then the cock raised his head, closed his eyes and started singing loudly and beautifully. The fox was very clever. He had a bad intention. He cleverly jumped upon the cock and seized him. The old woman did not hear the cock making the sound. But she heard the hen's voice. She rushed out. But it was too late. The fox had already taken the cock away. The cock was killed and eaten by fox.

Moral: Negligence of good advice leads to chaos.

Collected by Sadiksha Joshi Access Kailali

37 Time Management

In our Access camp, there were many short term goals to archive our long section and classes, all of those were term and midterm goals. Mid-term very much interesting, full of goals are the yearly goals or sometimes knowledge and joy. Among all, my longer than that also. If I am in class favourite was time management class. nine and I said I will go for computer It was taken by Bishwa Raj Gautam sir. class after SEE then it is midterm goals. Time is the most valuable thing in our Long term goals are our main life. We should manage our time to get destination. It deals with our future and the things done in time, achieve our our lifestyle. Short and midterm goals goals, and manage lifestyle. Timeis like are done for long term goals. a flight once you miss, it will never come back. We learned many things, All three goals are equally important. among them some tips to manage our In absence of one nothing could be time are like sleep well, set a fixed done. As a student, we have many destination, manage task, make things to do but if we make a habit of timeline, etc. We should never doing yoga every morning regularly underestimate time. We should try to and manage the time then it will be eliminate unnecessary task. We should good for health at old age also. So have time-habit, give importance to our friends managing time is the most task. If we are not able to do that then important task to do in life rather than we will be left behind. For time gaining wealth? Manage your time management, keeping goals is as properly and be successful important as having water in our life. person in life. Especially there are three types of goals Chiranjivi Chudal short term, long term and midterm. Access Jhapa Short term goals are like planning for the day, week or month. We should set

About Football on television, in the news, etc. Christiano Ronaldo is famous for playing football. His skills and goals are so cool and Football is the most famous game in the dangerous. That is why I am world. It started from a long long time the biggest fan of Ronaldo. ago. Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, etc. have become famous from football. We can also become famous by playing football. Ram Tamang We can travel around the world and we Access Lalitpur can play in other countries. We will be

38 Friendship is the most valuable relationship in the life of a person. Real friendship is the Friendship relationship of two or more who trust each other and do not expect anything in return. People mostly prefer making friends of same age, caste doesn’t matter in friendship. Friends should be chosen correctly because good friends lead us on good path whereas bad friendship may spoil our life by leading us on wrong path. Our bad time makes us to realize about our good and bad friends. Friendship can be affected by many means like misunderstanding leads to breakup our friendship. True friends never let down their friends and always motivate to become a better person. In today's world, it is difficult to find true friends. True friendship has no blood relation but it matters more than only blood relation. Friends make the world beautiful. It is hard to imagine our life without friends.

Sudeep Bhatta Access Nuwakot God

Many years ago, there was a beautiful village called Samchaur. The people of that village were very poor. Every week foreigners used to visit there. The villagers had difficulty to talk with them because they were uneducated. The villagers wanted to be educated however due to poor economic condition they couldn’t.

But everyday one old woman remembered God and prayed to him. One day when God was happy and he said, “Make a wish whatever you like but only one”.

The old woman said, “I want one educated son that can take care of me and educate the villagers”.

Then god gave her an educated son. After some months, all the villagers were educated. They were able to talk with foreigners. Then all the villagers lived happily.

Bimala Timalsina Access Lalitpur

39 Importance of English Language in Today's World

Language is our primary source of communication. Even Education around communication. It is the method through the world is mostly conveyed in English. which we share our ideas. There are Therefore, it is not only useful language thousands of languages in our world. In to learn but most important language to this world, every country has declared learn for us. Moreover, most people one or more languages as their national having different native tongues use language. Most of the countries adopt English as a common language when mother tongue of majority population as needed. So, it also functions as the their national language. However, English language of universal understanding in too has been given national language most cases. status in most countries around the world due to its universal appeal. So, English is Due to these reasons, English in today's not only limited to England or USA but world is most important language and its appeal is universal. we must try to learn and master it. We can master our skills and present it in Due to its international reach, English is front of the world only if we have mastery also considered the international language over English. So, English as by many. English is so important in a language is very today's life because most of the important for us. entertainment industry, business sectors and banking sectors around the world Binit Yadav use English as its language of Access Kailali

Hacking is the logical way to break down into some other network system done by experts of computer users or geniuses. Hacking is spreading widely in an advanced way to perform crime. Hackers have been working on techniques to have intrusion access over security system. There are some hackers who do destructive works after having access into network and are called crackers. They steal money from banks private document and many more.

Today, the world hacking is only focused to illegal works but actually it was developed with good intention. So, a new word “ethical hacking” is coined to give legal certification to hackers who work against bad hackers and security system in network.

Bimala Timalsina Hacking Access Lalitpur

40 Fewa Lake There are many lakes in Pokhara, so the city is also called the city of lakes. Fewa Lake is the second largest lake in Nepal and the biggest lake in Kaski. It is about four square kilometer big. Maximum water capacity of the lake is forty six cubic meters.

Harpan River is the source of water for Fewa Lake. There are many dams built for keeping fish. Because of this water level has risen up, the water of the lake can be used for irrigation and electricity generation.

Thank you!

Tekraj Sapkota Access Surkhet My Best Teacher

Life is all about learning and teaching. In this learning and teaching process, teachers have the main role. There are many flowers but we choose only one as the best. Likewise there are many teachers but I like Samjhana ma’am. Her full name is Samjhana Rai. She had studied in Bhanu Bhakta School. Her hobby is to read English books. Her favorite subject is Math.

She is thin. She has long black and straight hair. She is from Kirat religion and worships the Nature. I like her the most because she teaches us with fun, easily and clearly. She teaches us as many times till we understand that. She is currently an Access teacher. She had a job at Galaxy Public school but now she has left that school. Now, she is contributing much time in our development and progress. So she is the best teacher. Bishojan Nagarkoti Access Lalitpur

41 My Family

No one can have a family like mine. My family is the best. Every family member plays an important role in my family. My family consists of four members. They are: My father, my mother, my brother and I. My father is one who brings money home and is also responsible for organizing and planning family needs and stuffs. My mother is the one who is in charge of making meals and she also works at a government organization. My brother studies in class 2. He is the one who doesn’t have any responsibilities. I am also the important member of my family. I look after our shop and I always bring good marks in my study beyond my parent's expectations. I also support my brother in his studies and I hope he too soon will be responsible like all of us. We family members celebrate every special occasion together.

Finally, my family is the best family. If I am given chance to be born again as a man, I will choose to be reborn in this family with all these family members.

Sudip Bhatta Access Kailali Games and Sports Games are important in our daily life as they play a vital role in keeping us fit and healthy. Games/sports work as exercise. When we play games we get more benefit such as it helps to increase our brain activity, it keeps us healthy,it saves us from many diseases and it keeps us far from tension.

There are many types of games/sports played in Nepal. Volleyball, Skipping, Basketball, Table Tennis, Football, Cricket etc are the examples of sports played in Nepal.All countries have their national games. The national games of Nepal are Kabaadi and DandiBiyo. It keeps our body alert, active, youthful and energetic. It increases the circulation of blood,burn calories and improve respiration and digestion.Healthy people can work hard cheerfully for a long period of time. They can face dangers boldly. Games provide us with recreation and enjoyment. When we watch and play games, we forget all our worries and anxieties. They enable us to divert our mind from wrong thinking.

Pritika K.C. Access Pokhara

42 A Man with a Lamp

Once upon a time, there was a small town. see the blind man There lived a man by himself who couldn’t coming and end up see. He was blind. Yet, he carried a lamp pushing me. That with him whenever he went out at night. is why I carry a One night as he was coming home after lighted lamp." The having a dinner outside, he came across group of travelers a group of young travelers. They saw him felt ashamed and and were amazed to see an old blind man apologized for their with the lamp. They started passing behavior. comments on him and made fun of him. One of them asked him, "Hey Man! You Moral: We should think twice before are blind and cannot see anything. Why judging others. Always be polite and learn in the world are you carrying the lamp to see things from others point of view. with you? Are you foolish?" Collected by The blind man replied, "Yes, unfortunately Bhawana Phulara I am blind and I cannot see anything but Access Kailali the lamp which I am carrying is for the people like you who can see. You may not Camp Reflection – 2018

I, my friends and teachers went to Pokhara for five days’ Access Intensive Leadership Camp. It was exciting and awesome. First, we took a long bus ride from Lalitpur to Pokhara. We stayed in Pokhara Grande Hotel for five days. The facilities and hospitality were really good in that hotel. We enjoyed the sessions and we made friends from Surkhet Access Center. I especially enjoyed the field trip to many places like Fewa Lake, Davis fall, Gupteshwor cave and International Mountain Museum. We clicked many photos with my friends and teachers. The journey was memorable.

Dikesh Pahari Access Lalitpur

43 My Experience of Access Class

Hello everyone! This is me Asmita from things from Access class. This class is full of Access Surkhet. I am very happy to be a part fun and learning friendly. We learn new of Access class. I am proud to say that I am things day by day and we share it with our an Access student of Surkhet. I am really friends, we are learning here with peace and enjoying this class because it is different from harmony. We are creating mutual co- my school class. operation among all, our teacher encourage us to do better. When I came to Access, the friends, here were very cooperative, helpful, kind and honest. So I am very thankful to American Embassy, Being an Access student is really fantastic. NELTA and my respected teachers. At the We are learning so many things in Access end, I wish all the best to all my friends to class. Among 40 students in our Access center, learn more in Access. THANK YOU. there are two groups A and group B. In each group, there are 20 students. I am from group B. My Access teachers are Nirmala Sapkota and Betendra Dahal. We work a lot with Asmita Acharya computer and internet. We get different ideas Access Surkhet about team work, leadership skill and other My Best Friend

My best friend’s name is Gita Khadka. She is twelve years old. She reads in grade eight. Her school’s name is Shree Saraswati Basic School. She lives in Dhangadhi-1, Shantinagar. Her father’s name is Santosh Khadka and her mother’s name is Laxmi Khadka. She has two sisters and a brother. Her sister’s name is Divya Khadka and Hema Khadka and her brother’s name is Dikchhyant. She has black eyes, shoulder length black hair. She is slim and short. She is very good at studies and she is very intelligent. Her favorite subject is Nepali and she doesn’t like Mathematics much. She is kind and generous. She helps me whenever I am in trouble. So, she is my best friend.

Tamanna Sewa Access Kailali

44 Student Life

Student life is a life that leads to whole understand the meaning of life. In this life for everyone who goes to school. It stage, they should build knowledge, refers to a learner when he/she goes to skill and attitude. When they go their school. He/she learns many things. It school they learn many things. They is the foundation of life. It is a meet many different types of studies in preparation of life. It is the most the school and do many activities with important stage of life. them. They should work in group. If they become dynamic, they can learn The first duty of the student is to study. new things and the way of learning. If Student must be laborious and must they pass well, their life can be nice and not waste time. They must be comfortable otherwise, they will get disciplined, obedient, punctual and trouble. have good manner. They should learn about health care, different types of Thus, student life makes our life easy, game and value of time. It is said that comfortable and useful if we do the time and tide waits for none. So, the right deed during the time. We learn students should catch up the good manners, knowledge, skills and opportunities in the right time. discipline from the school. For this, every student should At the teenage, many students are learn and follow the rules wasting their valuable time. They go to and regulations and have watch films, use mobile, facebook and good manners. forgetting their duty and responsibility. They don't accept their parents and Acharya teachers, so every student should Access Surkhet Definition of Haiku

1. A haiku is a short poem that uses imagistic language to convey the essence of an experience. It is what is happening in the “now”.

2. English haiku are traditionally written on three lines in a 5/7/5 patterns.

3. A haiku attempts to capture an “aha” moment. It is the moment, rather than the syllables, that matter most.

Ritik Yadav Access Lalitpur

45 How I Celebrated Dashain Festival!

Dashain is one of the greatest festivals of On reaching our maternal uncle’s house, Nepalese people in Nepal and other places uncle put tikaon our forehead and then we where Nepalese people live.It mainly falls had a delicious meal. Next day, we returned in September or October every year. This home. In this way, I celebrated Dashain and year, I celebrated this festival with my family had a wonderful time. and relatives.

We prepared the celebration a week before the festival. We went shopping in Birtamode Halloween Day and bought new clothes, bed sheets, furniture items, kitchen utensils etc. Halloween day is the one kind of festival which is celebrated on October31. My parents managed food items for the Halloween day was also celebrated in our festival. Meat, beaten rice, banana, curd, Access. It was so exciting. We enjoyed a lot. fruits, cold drinks, pickle are the major foods On that day, I learned about Halloween for the festival. day.

Our villagersorganized Durgapooja in Halloween is an old tradition in Ireland and Garamani and I helped in decoration, Scotland. On Halloween, people dress up presentation etc. and carry lanterns made of pumpkin. Long long ago, when people moved from Ireland Our family sow barley and maize very first and Scotland to the United States, they day of the festival in a specially prepared started using pumpkin. They also had a plates of leaves (tapara). The germinated tradition of giving food to the spirits. Later barley and maize are called jamara that is they began the tradition of giving food to offered along with blessings on Dashain. poor people. This is where On the day of Dashain Tika, at first my trick–or–treattradition comes from. mother and father put Tika on my forehead and gave blessings. After putting tika at home, we went to our uncle’s house. We However, Halloween has changed a lot put tika, jamara and got blessings from since its origin. People wear dress like ghosts elders there.We ate delicious food like sprite, in the Halloween.I like this festival a lot. coke, pickle, meat, curd, chips etc.

The day of tika, only my sister and I went to our maternal uncle’s house. On the Suman Tamang way,we saw children having a good time Access Lalitpur on a swing, we also tried and enjoyed a lot.

46 Debate on "Pen Is Stronger than the Sword"

Honorable Chair person, respected chief teachers and other educationists are the guest, guests, teachers, judges and my products of pen. It is not possible dear friends. through the sword that only help to cut down things. It only creates violence Today, I am going to deliver my speech not development. All the developments for the motion of "Pen is stronger than are possible by the pen not by the the sword". At first, I would like to give sword. sincere gratitude to my subject teachers, who provided me this golden My dear friends, in my opinion, pen is opportunity. Friends, we know the pen, stronger than the sword. I would like the weapon which sharpen our minds to stop my speech here. and gives us a chance to express our feeling and thought. It also plays the Thank You! role in our education. We learn to read Bhagwati Shahi and write with help of pen. In this Access Surkhet universe, all the inventions are possible due to the pen. Pilots, doctors, scientists, Chhath Chhath Puja is an important religious festival of the Hindus. It is celebrated in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and many other parts of India and also in the Terai region of Nepal. It falls in the month of October or November after Diwali celebrations and lasts for four days. In this festival, the setting sun is worshipped. It is a festival of purity and devotion to the Sun god that is considered as the source of life on the Earth.

Along with the Sun god, people worship ‘Chhath Maiya’ on this day. They assemble at the river banks and ponds to take a holy dip. All offerings are contained in semicircular pans, woven out of Bamboo strips called ‘soup’. This festival is observed to worship the Sun god and seek his blessings for the overall prosperity of the family. It is believed Sun god fulfills the wishes if ‘Arghya’ is offered with complete dedication.

Ritik Yadav Access Lalitpur

47 Patriotism

Patriotism means the feeling of love to own country and be ready to sacrifice everything for betterment of country. It is the great virtue of a person. It is said that mother and motherland are better than heaven.Ê

The person who has shown the feeling of love to his own country is a patriot. A patriot is always immortal. A true patriot loves his country from inner heart and doesn't hesitate to sacrifice life for his motherland. In the context of our nation, many people sacrificed theirÊlives for the betterment of our country. Like our great martyrs Ganga Lal Shrestha, Dharmabhakta Mathema and others who sacrificed their life for freedom of country. Not only the people who sacrifice their lives and defend the country are called patriots but also the people who do something better for country are the ones. In this sense, a good teacher, doctor, scientist or good politician who add glory to the country are also patriots.

A selfish person cannot love his native country. Selfish person may be rich, may be born in noble family. He may heir a big title but no one respects him/ her. After his/her death he/she will be forgotten by all whereas a true patriot is always remembered. Nowadays, many people are being selfish, they are attracted towards the dreams to get citizenship of so called developed country. Slowly they are forgetting their love and responsibility towards their country. They are trying to adopt the custom and culture of foreign country by spending their luxurious life. In the context of our neighboring country India, the people pray and bow their head in front of the great people. They paste the photo of Mahatma Gandhi in each and every corner. They pray them but in our country no one has shown respect to any people. Many people worked hard for the freedom of country. We should pray and bow our head in front of them and try to fulfill their broken dreams.Ê

At the end, we should not expect anything from the nation but contribute something better for our country.

Diwas Adhikari Access Jhapa

48 Six Blind Men

Once upon a time, there were six blind men. One day, they met an elephant on the way. First man touched body of the elephant and he claimed it was like a wall. Second man touched trunk and said it was like a snake. Third man caught leg and said it was like a tree. Fourth man who had touched tail said that it was like a rope. The fifth man touched the tusk and shouted, it was like a sharp knife. The last man came to touch an ear and claimed it was like a big fan. No one believed the other and they quarreled whole day.

Moral: We should always have complete knowledge before arguing.

Collected by Ranjana Chaudhary Access Kailali Access Tour (Blog)

The coolest tour ever! friendly and funny as well.The hospitality and facilities provided to us werevery My friends,teachers and I went to good.We enjoyed our stay with POKHARA for ACCESS INTENSIVE SURKHET friends. LEADERSHIP CAMP.It was awesome and exciting for me. First,we took a long I especially liked field trips to DAVIS bus drive then we took rest for some time FALL, FEWA LAKE AND and we ate food and then we continued GUPTESHWOR CAVE and also the with our journey.When we reached near INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN POKHARA then we became happierand MEUSEUM. We also took part in lots of simultaneously we saw a big river and activities held in Access camp. Finally,we mountains. returned to our ACCESS centre with lots of good memories, good skills, lots of Not surprisingly we became more knowledge,and leadership skill . delighted than before. Finally, we reached Thank you! the hotel named POKHARA HOTEL GRANDE.We stayed at POKHARA Rahul Gupta HOTEL GRANDE for about five days Access Lalitpur and we enjoyed a lot there and we also got opportunity to communicate with SURKHET students.They were very

49 About a Friend

Being a friend is all about sharing our lives with others. There are some aspects of our lives that require us to spend a lot of time together or a lot of effort to convey our feelings. In such situations, we need a friend. Sharing only a few words with him/her is more than adequate. It is not always the long conversation that conveys the deepest feelings. Sometimes, a small talk with a friend is more satisfying and more motivating to us. So, we should always have that special friend or we should be that special friend for someone.

Manisha Thapa Access Kailali

Importance of Language The Great Wall of China English language is an example for the The longest, most amazing and most importance of a language because it is the interesting wall in the world is the international language and has become the Great Wall of China. It is also the most important language to people in many oldest of all the walls. The wall is parts of the world. It is most widely used in more than 2,400 Kilometers long. It communication around the world; also it is stretches from the east coast to spoken as the first language in many countries. Kansu Province in the middle of Learning English is important and so all people China. all over the world decide to study it as a second language. Many countries include English as Emperors built the wall more than a second language in their school syllabus and 2,000 years ago. The workmen only children start learning English at a young age. had simple tool. Nowadays, many tourists walk along the wall. It is the Knowing English language increases our biggest object made by man in the chances of getting a good job in a multinational world and the only one object that company within our home country or for you can see from the moon. It goes finding work abroad. It is also the language of international communication in the media across high mountains and deep and the internet.So, learning valleys. English is important for socializing and entertainment as Dinesh Adhikari well as work. Access Surkhet Nikita B.K. Access Lalitpur

50 About My Family Gai Jatra Gai jatra is a festival celebrated in Nepal mainly My name is Rahul Dulal. There in Kathmandu valley by the Newar are five members in my family – community. The festival commemorates the father, mother, sister, brother and death of people during the year and is me. My father’s name is Sagar generally celebrated in the month of Bhadra Dulal. He is thirty-eight years i.e. August-September. old. He works very hard. My mother’s name is Nirmala Dulal. Gaimeans cow and Jatrameans procession She is thirty-four years old. She festival. Therefore, Gaijatra festival literally means the procession festival of cow. It is a housewife. My sister’s name generally falls in the month of Bhadra. During is Rakshya Dulal. She is nine Gai Jatra,people performmany humorous acts years old. She likes reading and like parody, comedy, etc and was started in dancing. My brother’s name is the Malla dynasty. Aasish Dulal. He is eleven years old. He likes playing football. My Gai jatra is a popular festival in Nepal. Gai brother and sister study in the jatra is one of the local festivals which is same school. Their school’s name celebrated with great zeal. Gai jatra is a carnival of dancing, singing, mirth and laughter. is Kanchan Secondary School. They are good Gai jatra a unique festival of students. Nepal but it does not normally make it to the list of unusual Rahul Dulal festivals around the world. Access Lalitpur Sarita Nepali Access Lalitpur My Experience of Thanksgiving Day Hello everyone! It's me Rabina Khadka from Access Surkhet. Today, I am sharing my experience of Thanksgiving Day. I celebrated Thanksgiving Day with all Access friends, Access teachers and Mr. David Arnold, an English Language Fellow. I am thankful to David sir because he also joined in our Thanksgiving program. He described about how he celebrated Thanksgiving and the history behind Thanksgiving. After that we made some drawings and decorations. Then we clicked photos and had a lot of fun. I would like to thank Surkhet Access family for giving me the big chance to know about Thanksgiving.

Rabina Khadka Access Surkhet

51 Mathematical Friendship Opposite Poem Bright day, dark night 1+1=2 Good labour, bad fight My friendship is true Easy laugh, hard cry 2+2=4 Short dream, long try My friendship is more Empty Class, full knowledge 3+3=6 Small school, big college My friendship is fix Early morning, late night 4+4=8 Giant plane, tiny kite My friendship is great Always be happy, never be sad Best friend stick together till the end Exciting English, boring math They are like a straight Add friend, subtract enemy line that never bends. Up stair dad, down stair granny Catch access, miss failure Roshni Khati Clever Lincoln, stupid Hitler. Access Kailali

Daffodil group Nature Access Jhapa Dad Forest, flowers, animals and other creatures You have looked after me since my birth You have helped me to wear tie, shoe and Earth has a beautiful nature, shirt If we want a bright future, There is nothing more precious than you We must protect our nature. for me You are the one who filled my life with God created us and other creatures, possibilities You are the care taker of me Nature is our life protector, When times were good or bad If we want a bright future, One of god’s greatest We must protect our blessings nature. The man that I call dad

Kabita B.K. Bhawana Gautam Access Kailali Access Jhapa

52 Confused

I’m a girl and I’m very confused, I think why the different colors of light got fused, I don’t know why but I want to know everything. But this everything often gives me nothing, I can’t stop to think, don’t know why? Sometimes a thought comes and says, Why sky is so high? I am fed up of these nonsense thoughts But again I think why feeding in must? I think why only the bulbs and candles produce light. And one more thing irritates me why milk is white? When I see the stars , I feel one thing, Why are they above twinkling and twinkling? Sometimes, I think the worst, How would it be like? If an animal start to talk, What will happen if the sun falls down? Again the thought comes why does a fox howl? What will happen if the moon falls down? Again the thought comes if I would be a Queen, Wearing a crown with these all questions I go to bed. Again I think why flowers grow and fade away, But the flower became seed and is again germinated, Because of all my confusion, I have become my own hatred, I got one answer why the light is fused, It’s not enough, I’m still very very confused!!!

Sristi Shahi Access Kailali

53 The Caged Tiger About Access Access is one type of class. I’m a prisoner, Access class is not like our school class. I’m locked up. No one lets me out, In Access we all are leaders. No one to talk to, We all are heroes and we are talented. No one to play with. In Access class, there is a handsome Sir In Access class, there is a beautiful Mam. I want to be free, To roam in the jungle, To hunt for my own food, We have lots of fun with our teachers To find my own water. We win competitions and lots of gifts. They teach us so nicely and so effectively I can’t run in here, I like Access class and here I feel homely. I can’t jump in here, There’s nowhere to hide, We do drama in Access. I just lie here all day. We go to tours in Access. We make good friends in Access Everybody stares at me, We do a lot of programs in But nobody cares about me, Access. People point and make fun, As I lie in my lovely cage. Ram Tamang Jeevan Khatri Access Lalitpur Access Surkhet Success from Access With the help of Access At first I have got an opportunity. It wasn’t in progress Through the gate of Access At the end I am going to feel the success. I am going to feel the success.

I don’t know what Access was Today I am going to succeed In the beginning It is obviously But at the end Because of Access, that’s why I am going to feel the success. I am going to feel the success.

It’s only possible for you After coming to Access Paul Gurung It is obviously hard, but Access Lalitpur I am going to feel the success.

54 Dad’s Birthday No Future without Dream

No idea without vision Happy birthday dad, No success without reason I am your lad No love without pain You teach me some values worthy No together without gain For my future and for my today No life without emotion I will surprise you by success in my life. No god without devotion I will overcome difficulties as I drive No answer without question No film without reaction Pratik Kafle No cake without cream Access Syangja No future without dream

Prabhat Bikram Regmi Access Syangja Education Poem Education is light of the life Roses are red, It makes our future bright. Violets are blue, Education is key of golden door A face like yours We should study more and more. Belongs in a zoo. We get education from school Don't worry, you! After getting it we are no more fool I'll be there too, Education makes a person great Not in the cage. So, we should be never late. But laughing at you!

Success is got by education Bashudev Dhakal We read in the book the lesson. Education never dies Access Surkhet It suggests you to tell truth not lie. Parents Aliza Baral You should treasure your parents, Access Pokhara They are your greatest treasure, Their love is golden,

The most valuable thing you can never measure, It is the greatest love. Dibas Giri Access Surkhet

55 Access Teacher My Birthday Party Letter

Your guidance, your advice December 02, 2018 You are great and very nice. Dear friend, A teacher introduces us to a new vision You are invited to my birthday Party. of life Venue: Thakali Hotel. To make us as sharp as a knife, Time: Fourth Sunday of March Time: 10 O’clock. Review our work, what’s wrong and Food: cake and drinks. right Music: Pop and rap. Show us that our future is bright. Dress: Party dress. Teachers tell us what they know Thank you. Encourage our entire mind to grow, Your Lovely, I still remember that day Dinesh Adhikari When I failed and I cried Access Surkhet But you reassured me calmly And congratulated me because I tried. My Best Kritika Ghimire Schools are many but Access Lalitpur Bani Bilas is my best. Temples are many but Access in Numbers Pashupatinath is my best. One, two Friends are many but One, two, three Access friends are my best. Access is free. Three, four, Colors are many but Three, four, five Black is my best. Access is our life. Five, six Teachers are many but Five, six,seven Access teachers are my best. Love your teachers, friends. Seven, eight Classes are many but Seven,eight,nine Access class is my best. Always be Access students and shine! Sarthak Upadhyaya Access Lalitpur Ram Tamang Access Lalitpur 56 Access and Success Poem

I have found a wonderful gate, School is my temple Teacher is my god By the help of U.S. Department of State, Computer is my game Through the gate, I am going to achieve Anish is my name. success, Fanta is fanta Not a coke It is only from becoming a Access is Access student at Access. Not a Joke. Apekshya Pahari Rose is Red Access Lalitpur Sky is Blue Access is the Best School. King like Two ships Student Life Queen like Three ships I like one ship That is Friendship.

This is the place where I meet you. Anish Bhujel This is the place where I greet you. Access Lalitpur It's nothing if you want to take my life. But don't forget your student life. Friends Sometime I am happy Sometime I am sad Birth is the start of life You are the one with whom I share my Beauty is the art of life life. Love is a part of life So don't forget your student life, Friends are the heart of life!

Aim is the dream of life Nothing is better than you Health is the wealth of life I will always remember you Anger is the curse of life Student life is great than any other so, But friend is the gift of life Don't forget our student life! Greediness is the enemy of life Knowledge is the power of life Satisfaction is the happiness of life Ram Tamang But friend is root and reason of life Access Lalitpur Sunil Shah Access Nawalpur

57 Give Justice Life

to Girls Life is like a melting river, That keeps flowing forever. Come friend let's get together we Nepali. Life is for study, Getting together we should protect our That makes you steady. country.

Everywhere there is violence in the Life is like a burning candle, country. And we are the one to handle. Let's bring peace and symmetry. Life is seen to be a dazzling science, That discovers planets and mines. Can our country provide justice to Nirmala? It should do it, today and now! Life teaches us to serve like cup Without any type of give up. Why are women not safe to live here? Life is the combination of sorrows and Why such crimes take place here and joys, there? Without knowledge, it is like a toy.

Why should they suffer from rape? Life is horrible desert and land, Why can’t they live with respect? seem to be full of unwanted sand, Life is an administrative game, Why women are treated like animals? That can brighten your name and fame. Why women can't live with freedom?

Nirmala might also had so many dreams. Life is like a burning cigarette, But she couldn't make it reality. Which end with the horrible signs. Life is for hard work and labor, Her parents are in strike now. We are responsible as its saver. Simply asking justice against crime. Sunil Neupane Muna Dangal Access Pokhara Access Jhapa

58 My Favorite Things Violence against Women I have a question to that administration What is the value of our constitution? Eating food in a restaurant, Why crimes against women are rapidly Camping outside in the tent. growing? I like finger with tiny ring, Beast are raping innocent girls and These all are my favorite things. throwing.

Visiting and travelling different districts, Why again and again people are doing Walking alone on the street. such crimes, The best thing I like is to dance, Though it has been warned many times? I like movies with romance. Is this a result of being a girl? Where people play and treat her as a ball. Riding bicycle in the market, Now such crimes should be stopped, Carrying full wallet in the pocket. The law and policies must be made tough. I like ice cream which is very cool, It should be stopped raping and harassing I like making other people fool. girls If people don’t obey, they must be thrown I like swimming in the river, in prison. I like staying in home when I suffer from fever. Now our voice should be raised. I like clean road not the dust, We must make the law that can be praised. These are the thing I like Such bad and negative deeds should be most. vanished. If it doesn’t stop, the criminals must be Bhuwan Sitaula punished. Access Jhapa The victim should get justice, Our country should always remain as the Hi and Goodbye country of peace, There must be no immunity for rapist. Hi Ilam, good bye Jhapa. Let’s be united and save all Nepalese. Hi woolen clothes, goodbye cotton clothes. Hi sweater, goodbye jeans. Hi hat, goodbye cap. Prajwal Sangroula Hi shoes, goodbye slippers. Access Jhapa Hi bed, goodbye T.V.

Purnima Adhikari Access Jhapa

59 My Parents Alcohol It’s just waste of money and time No one can become fine. Parents are the god of my life Someone thinks it helps to forget pain They gave me birth I think it empties brain.

They always desire for All the success goes in vain It creates a problem between husband My happy life and bright future and wife, They are the first to teach many things brings trouble in their lives. It damages all the positive sensors, Which are very essential in my life? it also causes different cancers.

They inspire and motivate me Let’s think positively to live a life beautifully. To walk on the path to Don’t waste a wonderful life success Leave alcohol, save your life Lila B.K. Access Pokhara Pratikshya Sangroula Access Jhapa

Access Pokhara

Some Motivational Acrostics

No END FAIL FEAR SMART

N: Next E: Effort F: First F: False S: Specific

O: Opportunity N: Never A: Attempt E: Evidence M: Measurable

D: Dies I: In A: Appearing A: Achievable

L: Learning R: Real R: Realistic

T: Time Bound

Rabin Regmi Access Pokhara

60 Some Quotes by Great Personalities

1. “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John Wooden 2. “Successful and unsuccessful people do not vary greatly in their abilities. They vary in their desires to reach their potential.” – John Maxwell 3. “There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” – Beverly Sills 4. “Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” – Henry Ford 5. “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” – Thomas A. Edison 6. “You’ve got to get up every morning with determination if you’re going to go to bed with satisfaction.” – George Lorimer 7. "All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney 8. "It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop." - Confucius 9. "Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill 10. "Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago." - Warren Buffett 11. "Whenever you see a successful person, you only see the public glories, never the private sacrifices to reach them." -- Vaibhav Shah 12. "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss 13. "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." - Mae West 14. "Opportunities don't happen. You create them." - Chris Grosser 15. "Once you choose hope, anything's possible." - Christopher Reeve 16. "Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value." - Albert Einstein 17. "There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires." - Nelson Mandela 18. "It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." - Charles Darwin

Collected by Nischal Jirel

61 Friendship My View

Mother's Love I am so happy The love of mother To have a friend like you Is like a flow of a river. The strength you gave me It doesn’t stop. It is continuously flowing and flowing. The way you do Father's Love I want to thank you The love of father But it cannot be explained Is like depth of a lake. What it means to be able We cannot see it depth. But they love us very much. To share our feelings and pains Kashish Bhandari Together we laugh, together we cry Access Nuwakot Remember those days, when we covered the lies So our friendship will never break Mother until we die

Our friendship is like the god gift My mother, my friend, so dear It is not a stick which easily breaks Throughout my life you are always near In every situation we never turn back Like a teacher you guide my way So our friendship forever goes on right You are the sunshine to light my day. path There is no blessing Thanks for being here Quite so dear And helping me to grow and learn As a mother like you Your friendship means a lot to me To love me year after year You are everything to me. Thank You, Mother dear.

Renuka Chaudhary Sandesh Puri Access Jhapa Access Kailali

62 A Woman Do you Know? 1) Whose statement is this?“I have seen the mountains of Nepal but more than A woman makes her path that I have seen brave Nepali”. Ans: Mao Tso Tung With head so high 2) Whose statement is this? “Thinking Connected with everyone should be done before using hand”. It’s her time to fly. Ans: Maeksim Gorki 3) At what age does our brain stop developing? Try to understand a woman Ans: 15 Respect her sacrifice 4) In which temple of India only the king of Nepal can enter? She starts the new world Ans: Rameshwor temple The one of immortal love and peace 5) Which is the driest place on the earth? Ans: Atacama Desert She makes her heart like fire 6) Mosquitoes are more attracted to which colour? And a mind like gold Ans: Blue She achieves the impossible 7) If the sign of Srilanka is lion then That is her life’s goal. what is the sign of Australia? Ans: Kangaroo 8) Which is the country with no police A woman is like a throne and jail? You never know how strong she is Ans: Island

Until she is in pain 9) Which part of our body never grows? Ans: Retina of eye Better once you face it. 10) Which poison was used in giving punishment of death by great Socrates? Sapana Darnal Ans: Hemlock Access Jhapa Compiled by Lokesh Prasai Access Jhapa

63 Some Amazing Facts Tongue Twisters I thought a thought - Martin Cooper has invented cell But the thought I thought wasn’t the phone. Thought I thought I thought - More than 16 million horses were If the thought I thought I thought used in First World War. Had been the thought I thought,I - Jeff Bezos was the richest person in Wouldn’t have the thought so much! the world in 2017. Red bulb, blue bulb - Sahara desert is the hottest place in Red bulb,bluebulb the world. It’s about 136o F Red bulb, blue bulb - Hyena is the animal that can laugh Red blood,blue blood like a man. - Copernicus discovered the Solar Betty bought butter, but the butter was bitter, System. So Betty bought better butter To make the bitter butter better Collected by Collected by Surya Bahadur Chand Rahul Gupta Access Kailali Access Lalitpur Fact Check

1. Which lake is known as the biggest lake of Nepal? - Rara Lake 2. Which bird is only found in Nepal? - Kadevakur 3. Who is known as the father of football in Nepal? - Nar Samsher Jawara 4. Which place is known as the desert of Nepal? - Mustang 5. Which river is known as the deepest river of Nepal? - Narayani River 6. Which river is known as the longest river of Nepal? - Karnali River 7. Which desert is known as the biggest desert of the world? - Sahara Desert 8. Which river is known as the longest river of the world? - Nile River 9. Who is known as the light of Asia? - Gautam Buddha 10.What is known as the Universal Solvent? - Water

Tilak Bahadur Khadka Access Lalitpur

64 General Knowledge

1. Who discovered human cell? Robert Hooke

2. Which is the largest bone in human body? Femur

3. Who is the first president of USA? George Washington

4. What is the name of the first man who drew the map of the earth? Anaximander

5. Which country first hosted the Modern Olympics Game? Greece

6. Which is the smallest country of the world? Vatican City

7. Who is the first woman president of the world? Maria Estela Peron (Argentina)

8. Which country is known as the “Land of Poets”? Chile

9. Where is Red Blood Cell produced in human body? Bone Marrow

10. Who is the inventor of battery? Count Alessandra Volta

11. Who won the ‘Golden Boot’ award in 2018? Harry Kane from England

12. Which is the national animal of the US? The Bald Eagle

Jyoti Pahari Access Lalitpur

65 Who Built What? 1. Krishna Mandir, Patan – Siddhi NarshingMalla 2. Nine-story Palace, Basantapur – PrithiviNarayan Shah 3. Fifty Five Window Palace, Bhaktapur – Bhupatindra Malla 4. Five-story Temaple & Bhairav Temple – Bhupatindra Malla 5. Rani Pokhari, Kathmandu – PratapMalla 6. Mangriha - King Mandev 7. Changunranarayan Temple, Bhaktapur – King Mandev 8. Kailashukut Palace - King Ansuverma 9. Dattatreya Temple, Bhaktapur – YakshaMalla 10. Dharahara - BhimsenThapa 11. Golden Tap (Sundhara) - Bir Shamser 12. Bais (22) Dhara, Balaju – RanaBahadur Shah 13. Singha Durbar - Chandra Sumsher 14. Temple of Taleju – MahendraMalla 15. Image of bull in front of Pashupatinath - Jugat Jung Rana 16. Ashok Stambha, Lumbini - Indian Emperor Ashoka 17. Pahupati Dewal - King Prachanda Dev 18. Establishment of Kathmandu Vealley - Gaunakam Dev 19. Hanuman Dhoka Durbar - PratapMalla 20. Huge bell of Taleju temple – RanaBdr. Shah 21. Huge Nagara Temple – Girbarna Yuddha Bikram Shah 22. Kasthamandap – LaxmiNarshing Malla

Chet Narayan Gautam Access Pokhara Do You Know? 1. What is the end of the education? -N 2. What five - letter word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it? - SHORT 3. How can an empty pocket have? - It can have a hole in it. 4. What kind of tree can you carry in a hand? - Palm 5. What do you call a bear without an ear? -B 6. Why someone living in Kathmandu can’t be buried in Pokhara? - Because he is alive Compiled by Sundar Aryal Access Nawalpur

66 Let’s Learn Some Facts Some Quotes 1. Which is the longest highway in the world? *Pan American Highway “The reading of all books is like 2. Who instituted Nobel Prize? *Alfred conversation with the finest men of past.” Nobel – Rene Descartes

3. When was America discovered? “All I have learned, I learned from book.” *1420 AD – Abraham Lincoln 4. Which is the driest desert in the “Read the best books first or you may world? *Atacama Desert not have a chance to read them at all.” 5. Which is the longest river in the – Henry David Thoreau world? * Nile “Education is that weapon, that can be 6. Which is the most expensive thing used to change the world” – Nelson in the world? * Radium Mandala Compiled by Collected by Biswas Poudel Bishojan Nagarkoti Access Nawalpur Access Lalitpur

Ø Nepal was discovered by the people of Gopal Dynasty.

Ø Nepal has world’s eight highest peaks among fourteen.

Ø Gautam Buddha was born in Nepal but he got enlightened in India.

Ø Dandi-Biyo game was started from Nepal.

Ø The national game of Nepal is Volley Ball.

Ø Nepal has the capacity to produce more than 86000 kW electricity.

Raman Neupane Access Lalitpur Some Amazing Facts about Nepal

67 Do You Know? Riddles 1. Who invented the microwave? 2. Which type of fish covers the sea together for miles? 1. What is it that’s always coming but 3. Who was known as the “Man of never arrives? thousand faces?” 4. “The year of the dragon” is celebrated - Tomorrow in which country? 5. Where can you find “Golden gate” 2. I am tall when I am young and I am Bridge? short when I am old? Who am I? 6. Which is the first bank in Nepal? - Candle 7. How many countries are there in Asia continent? 3. What goes up when rain comes 8. Who invented periodic table? down? 9. Where is the highest altitude bridge of Nepal? - Umbrella 10. Which is the international sports competition that is only 4. What is the longest word in the held in Nepal? dictionary?

Reshma Sharma - Smiles

Access Kailali

Parbat 10. Elephant Polo Elephant 10. Parbat Compiled by

countries 8. Dmitri Mendeleev 9. Modikhola, 9. Mendeleev Dmitri 8. countries Binit Bastakoti

Francisco, USA 6. Nepal Bank Limited 7. 48 7. Limited Bank Nepal 6. USA Francisco, Accesss Nawalpur

Jelly Fish 3. Lon Chaney 4. China 5. San 5. China 4. Chaney Lon 3. Fish Jelly

1.Dr. Percy Lebaron Spencer 2. Spencer Lebaron Percy 1.Dr. Answers:

Anonymous Motivational lines

1. Strive for progress, not perfection. 2. Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently. 3. Try, try but don’t cry. 4. Do it now. Sometimes, “Later becomes never”. 5. Don’t stop when you are tired. Stop when you are done. Nisha B.C. Access Kapilvastu

68 Jokes

Let’s Laugh Teacher : Tell me an example of a creature which can live on Teacher : What is a line? water as well as the land. Student : A line is a dot that’s going for Student : Frog a walk. Teacher : Another example Teacher : If so, what are parallel lines? Student : Another frog.

Student : A dot going for a walk with his Ritik Yadav girlfriend. Access Center Lalitpur

Dilsaid Ansari Access Kailali Teacher :Why are you late, Prabin? Prabin :Because of a sign down the road. Dad came into his son's room and said, Teacher :What does a sign have to do Dad : Son, Give me your mobile for a with you being late? minute. Prabin : Sir, the sign said, “School ahead, go Son : Wait Dad, Let me switch it on. slow”. Girlfriend’s picture delete, Rabin Darlami Magar Girls number’s list delete, Phone Access Lalitpur call received delete, delete, delete, delete, delete An angry man sends text to his mother Memory card format, phone card in law, which says, “Your product completely reset (daughter) is not cooking food properly.” Son : Here it is, Dad. Smart Mother- in -law replies, “Product Dad : Thanks, I just want to see the time. sold, warranty expired, manufacturer not responsible.”

Ganesh Poudel Pratik Kafle Access Kapilvastu AccessSyangja

6769 Ram : Hello Shyam! What are you Ram from Nepal and Shyam from China are doing? having a conversation Shyam : Hello. I am recording this baby’s Shyam : Hey, do you eat Apple in your voice. country? Ram : But why? Ram : Yes, but why? Shyam : Because when this baby grows up I can ask him what Shyam : Here in China only poor people he meant by it. eat that. Sarthak Upadhyaya Ram : Oh, really, do you eat banana? Access Lalitpur Shyam : yes, why? Ram : Because in Nepal Police : Knock! Knock! Knock! only monkey eats Boy : Who are you? that. Police : Police .. Lila B. K. Boy : What do you want? Access Pokhara Police : To talk. Boy : How many of you? There was a girl named Gita and a boy named Police : Two. Ram. They loved each other. One day, they Boy : If so, talk to each other. Don’t made a plan to visit CG Dham. Ram came to disturb me. Gita’s house. Gita was wearing mini – skirt Krishna Nepali and Ram asked to Gita, Access Syangja Ram : Why are you wearing mini - skirt? Your father didn’t say anything to you? A person goes to the doctor with his 5 year old son. Gita : No, he didn’t. Person :Doctor, my son has swallowed Ram : And what about your mother? a key, so we came to you. Gita : If she see me in this dress, she will Doctor :When did he swallow a key? beat me. Person :10 days back. Ram : Why? Doctor :And you are coming to me after Gita : Because this is her dress. 10 days, why? Ha...Ha...Ha...Ha Person: We had a duplicate key but today I lost that one too. Ganga Mahato Access Nawalpur Sarthak Upadhyaya Access Lalitpur

70 Girl : How would you describe me? Wife : I wish I were a newspaper so I could have your attention Boy : A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K every morning. Girl : What does that mean? Husband : I also wish you were a Boy :Adorable, Beautiful, Cute, newspaper so I could change Delightful, Elegant, Fashionable, it everyday. Gorgeous, and Hot Girl : Awww, thank you! But what about Bishojan Nagarkoti JK? Access Lalitpur Boy : I'm Just Kidding!

Boy : I want to be with you in a nice Abishek Basnet restaurant and have a candle light Access Lalitpur dinner. And then say those three sweet Police :Excuse me your dog has been words to you .. chasing a man on a bicycle. Girls : OMG OMG and what are those Dog owner: Are you crazy? My three sweet words? dog cannot even ride a bicycle. Boy : Pay the bill. Sujan Poudel Himal Rawat Access Pokhara Access Surkhet

Chatting, chatting, no papa One day Ram was walking on the road, He saw his friend Shyam at the top of a hill, He Girlfriend setting, no papa asked: Telling lies, no papa Ram : Shyam, What are you doing Open your messenger there? Ha! Ha! Ha! Shyam : I am reading,Ram. Ram : Why are you reading at the top of the hill? Srijana Tamang Access Nuwakot Shyam : I am trying to get higher education. (During school hours) Teacher: Ram,could you stand up,please? Preeti Bogati Access Pokhara Ram : Of course, sir.

71 Teacher: I am going to ask you some that I was a wonderful husband and questions. Why is English school teacher who made a huge important? difference in our children of tomorrow." Ram : I don’t know sir. The last guy replies, "I would like to hear them say.... LOOK, HE'S MOVING!" (Teacher punishesRam and again asked questions to him) Teacher(angrily):Give me one example of Sunil Neupane future tense. Access Pokhara Ram : You will get your motorcycle punctured after school. Son : Dad, what is an idiot? Dad : An idiot is a person who tries to Sabina Timalsina explain his ideas in such a strange Access Lalitpur and long way that another person who is listening to him can't understand him. Do you Anna : Do you know? Why did understand me? Kumbha karna sleep for six months? Son : No Yamma : No, I don't know. Can you tell Sunil Neupane me? Access Pokhara Anna : Yes, of course. He slept for six months because he forgot to put alarm in his clock. Yograj Tharu Access Kapilvastu

At the motivational seminar, three men are asked, "When you are in your casket and friends and family are mourning upon you, what would you like to hear them say about you at the funeral?" The first guy says, "I would like to hear them say that I was the great doctor of my time, and a great family man." The second guy says, "I would like to hear

72 TTeacher'seacher's CorCornerner Offering Guru's Words

73

Language: Teaching and Learning

Umesh Budhathoki Access Instructor, Ilam

It is a matter of immense pleasure to more and more techniques of effective present some words in this Access teaching. Newsletter on the topic of language that is directly related with both teaching and learning process. We should bear in mind that knowing After the development of science and about the language and knowing the use technology together with the increasing of language is not similar. He/she who movement of human being, the knows more about a language may not importance of language learning know how to teach the usages of language increased and it has become an important properly. We, the language teachers, no concern of each and every society of the matter whatever the language we teach world. It is estimated that about sixty need to be clear weather we are teaching percentage of today’s world population appropriate usages of language or about is multilingual. As the horizon of human the language. If we are teaching about a movement is widening day by day, language, we have to go through the language learning has become an origin and development, its grammatical important practical concern. rules and importance and so on. These can be done just by following the lecture Although language teaching seems easy, method and just by dictating in class in it is not as easy as it is considered. It is isolation. We do not need many materials obvious that no language is ruled bound. and techniques. We need not create any Most of the languages of the world have situation; neither do we have to involve their grammar to generate whatever the the learners in any kind of activities. This rules are, no language can be fully is easier and mechanical. We just controlled by any grammar or transform the formations whatever we grammatical rules. have.

Objective of any language teaching is to On the other hand, teaching the usages make the learners able to use the target of language in our real life situation is language in receptive and productive much challenging and a skill-taking task. aspect with maximum native flavor. The usage of language varies according Language teaching specialists and to the situation, language users’ social researchers have introduced several norms and values, formality and so on. methods and approaches and many The usage of language does not only show others have still been working to explore the ability of the users but also their social,

75 economic, culture and academic status. learners. In language learning process the learners acquire all these essential elements from l Learners are memorizing the language different realm of learning. It teaches the items in isolation or developing their ways of shaping language according to ability to use language according to the demand of formality and situation. requirements of the language users. l The teachers control the learners or Teaching a language involves teaching help them in any way motivating them different aspects of cultural system of the to work with language. target language. Language teachers should consider those elements; language It is true that many learners acquire experts, curriculum designers and essentials of grammar naturally without researchers who have taken the instructions. At the same time, learning responsibilities in their own field should particular grammatical instructions and think of making language efficient and guidance always help learners to achieve comprehensive preserving the originality accuracy in language learning. Teaching of the language. No language can be grammatical distinction requires more shaped according to the grammatical rule time and practice ever for skilled learners. and tradition only. Shaping of a language So it is difficult to achieve accuracy and depends more on the users than on the language learning. Teaching grammatical language experts. items one by one without suitable context and situation is a really difficult and A living language is always creative. It boring even for a good teacher. Teacher changes slowly and gradually without may teach one grammar structure at a any distinguishing changes. It creates new time, students may focus on one at a time; vocabulary; new structures, new thought but students do not learn one at a time together with development of technology before going on to learn the next. There and contact with other languages. We, is a regular interaction between the new language teachers, should accept these and old forms. They are learnt collectively. changes and set our pace as well. Learners Language teachers cannot be satisfied should be in the top priority and their making their learnersable to recite all the needs and wants have to be included in rules and structures of grammar. The goal our programs. We should think if: is to enable the students to use grammar l The learners are learning to use to achieve communicative ends. If we ask language or using language to learn the language learners what they want to it. learn; nine out of ten answer “correct grammar”. Why is it so? Because, the l The teachers are teaching language learners think and argue that their structures, sounds, and words to language will be labeled incorrect without communicate through language. grammatical accuracy. Our mind is preoccupied with this misconception. But l The teachers are working for both the teachers and the learners should improving knowledge and think that the goal of language is to information competence of the communicate in a comprehensive way.

76 One Step ahead with The 'Access Program' Suk Bir Lama Access Instructor, Ilam

English Access MicroscholarshipProgram and for me to learn as well. But I have launched for the first time in Ilam is realized its long term gain and am delighted expected to be an opportunity for the 13 to to be a part of this program. I believe this 16-year old children enrolled in community program to be a platform for both the schools for their access to English language, students and teachers to gain a lot more leadership skills as well as computer about modern ways of learning and education. This program has been launched teaching as well as experience of sharing in five different locations all over Nepal and knowing different cultures of different including Ilam from November 2018. countries and communities. This program implemented by Nepal English Language implemented not only for the enhancement Teachers' Association (NELTA) in Nepal of English language proficiency and since 2011. American Government sponsors computer education among the students the program. This Access Program has but also to spread community awareness brought a great hope among the selected through its social and community activities children and their parents who wish to see in the concerned areas. In addition to this, their children excel in English education. leadership and personality development, There have been many children with hidden disaster preparedness awareness, talents whose parents can't afford for their community campaigns on various good education in English medium schools educational and social affairs as well as that are considered as good institutions in cultural exchanges are other highlights of terms of education in English language. this program. Hence, it is like a package The academic qualification gained without deal offered and implemented for the proper knowledge of English language is overall development of the students from not considered valuable in the context of community schools with the coordination modern society. Since Access Program is of NELTA in Nepal for the past eightyears. concerned not only to enhance English language efficiency but also to get the In the end, I would like to thank all children connected and updated with the responsible for bringing the Access program IT world through computer knowledge, it in Ilam and I would also like to convey my is obvious that the students and their hearty congratulations to all the students parents consider themselves lucky to have recently selected for two-year program here this opportunity. in Ilam. I believe teaching in Access program will bring opportunities for I am a newly appointed Access teacher here learning and professional development for in Ilam, I am yet to learn what sorts of all involved. resources are here in Access for me to teach

77 Teaching and My Experience

Kushal Kafle Access Instructor, Syangja

Good environment and good teachers help students to get success in every steps of their life. Since my childhood, I think that teachers are those supreme powerful people to change not only the students’ behaviors and their lifestyle but also the whole world. Since then, passion of being a teacher raised in my mind. In my view, teachers and teaching are not only limited to few books and within the classroom. Understanding the students’ behavior and trying to expose their hidden potentialities is the teachers’ main job. It makes their teaching effective and fruitful. Teachers shouldn’t bound their teaching only inside the classroom. They should teach them different life skills. Teaching is not only a job but also an art. Only the artistic people can be a teacher. Their arts always lure the students to do the things differently in different situations and help them to find their way to success. Only artistic teaching motivates the students to learn new things. Teachers should create as much opportunities as possible to the students to make them better one. My experience of teaching really makes me happy. In those years, it helped me to learn about different learning techniques, methods, approaches and different child behavior which help me a lot to sharpen my professional skills. I think proper classroom management helps teachers to make teaching fruitful. It provides me social respect from different communities and an identity. I am passionate about teaching and I aspire to become a model teacher. Gazal

Stand up! My sons and my daughters Whenever my MOON- SUN flag flutters.

You the youths, rise up briskly and Be united to unlock maze and shutters.

Aware the mob, to respect nationality, Bishnu Prasad Belbase Teach to treat equally all creatures. Access Instructor, Kapilvastu

Peace and non-violence, are the keys With such a pride our heart raptures.

Be patriotic, embrace the challenges, This must be done now and furthers!

78 Access Memories Through LensLens

79 Lalitpur Access team with guests at the inauguration of tree plantation program

Jhapa Access students learning ‘Black Poetry’ with instructor Jhapa Camp team, Daffodils with guests at the camp Jenny Rai inauguration in Ilam

Jhapa Access gathered at the View Tower at Ilam Tea RELO Program Specialist Bishwa Raj Gautam teaching team Garden building through game

80 Thank you Kailali Access teachers for donating Kailali Access on a deusi bhailo program accepting an fans for Access center offering

Hon. Nardevi Pun, Minister of Social Development Ministry of Gandaki Province awarding the position holder students Pokhara Access bid farewell to ELF Matthew Nelson of Speech Competition at Pokhara Access

Kailali Access at Baijnath Vridashram for donating food Proud father of Access alumnus Pradip Rana Kshetri who items secured 4.0 GPA in SEE being felicitated at Surkhet Access Center

81 Pokhara Access students wishing festival greetings Surkhet Access with staff of American Corner through handmade cards

Quiz time at Surkhet Access Teacher’s Day celebration at Dang Access

Pokhara Access donating materials and spreading smiles Kailali Access students visiting schools spreading awareness at an orphanage on tree planting

82 Jhapa Access students with their project work making Halloween celebration at Jhapa Access volcanoes

Kailali Access students prepping for a virtual meeting with Janakpur Access girls sharing healthy lifestyle ideas with Access students in Afghanistan Dalit women

Surkhet Access marching to generate awareness about safe Gulmi Access students displaying their artworks at the drinking water graduation ceremony

83 Hurray! Jhapa Access team is at Ilam for Access Camp

PAO Paul Thomas from the US Embassy, Kathmandu with Zebra Crossing is painted and ready, thanks to Jhapa Access Dhading Access students

Here are the Access graduates from Dhading Banke Access teachers bidding farewell to Access after graduation 84 Art by: Sabina Bagale Magar A Glimpse into our SkSketchbooketchbook

Art by: Chiranjivi Chudal

85 Art by: Akriti Rana Magar Art by: Swastika Nepali

Art by: Bashudev Dhakal Art by: Aayush Trikhatri

Art by: Sudip Bhatta Art by: Srijana Tamang

Art by: Sapana Darnal Art by: Sandip Khatri

86 Art by: Anisha Tharu Art by: Uttam BK Art by: Shiva Prasad Kandel

Art by: Seshraj Adhikari Art by: Saroj Pariyar Art by: Sarita Bhattarai

Art by: Ram Krishna Rimal Art by: Rajani Basnet Art by: Pramisha GR 87 Art by: Deepa Limbu Art by: Rajina Sunar

Art by: Rabina Khadka Art by: Pushpa

Art by: Pratisha Chapagain Art by: Prashant Shrestha

Art by: Pawan Magar Art by: Pawan Karki

88 Art by: Mausam Shrestha Art by: Manisha Ghale Art by: Mamata Sunuwar

Art by: Kabita Khapangi Art by: Jiban Rana Art by: Hasina Khatun

Art by: Bishal Sapkota Art by: Asmita Acharya Art by: Chandra Rai 89 Art by: Krishna Nembang Art by: Khagendra Limbu

Art by: Khagendra Limbu Art by: Kashish Bhandari

Art by: Bhawana Chaudhary Art by: Karan BK

Art by: Bikash Adhikati Art by: Dilsaid Ansari

90 Art by: Dinesh Adhikari Art by: Bhawana Gautam

Art by: Sunita Rana Art by: Bhawana Dahal

Art by: Ashok Tharu Art by: Avaya Jaiswal Art by: Dipa Limbu

91 AAAN Update

Access Alumni Association, Nepal (AAAN) was established on November 7, 2016 to provide a common platform for Access alumni to learn, share and collaborate after they graduate from the two years’ English Access Microscholarship Program which is supported by US Embassy and implemented by Nepal English Language Teachers’ Association (NELTA). Access Alumni Activities till date • Storytelling Project: “Empowering Girls in Nepal: The Pursuit of Prosperity” • Health Camp- Birgunj Access Alumni Center • Leadership Seminar- Pokhara Access Alumni Center • Hand Washing Program- Butwal and Bhairahawa Alumni Centers • Creating videos- Butwal Access Alumni Center • Conducted different Competitions: Quiz, poem, essay, drawing etc. • Participating in conference, seminars, Access camp, blood donation, Bagmati River cleaning campaign etc. Opportunities • Be the member of International Exchange Alumni • Connect with NELTA, HSYWE, HR2F and other organizations along with American Corners across Nepal • Network with fellow alumni around the world. • Share your experience, ideas and expertise • Lead and enhance your leadership skills • Bring ideas and execute them through support from alumni centers

If you want to know more about Access Alumni Association, Nepal, please visit our blog and connect with us through hour facebook page A few words from AAAN A leader must be a man of character with traits like honesty, loyalty, self-discipline, self- confidence and devotion towards Association. Alumni always believe in flexibility not in rigidity. We must have ability to face worst condition with courage and will power. AAAN is formed to encourage, motivate, organize Access alumni to cultivate ideas and execute plans together. AAAN is a platform to both learn and to lead.

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