On 5th June, students from BalKumari community school gathered on the occasion of ‘World Environment Day’. Several activities observing this special occasion, was conducted, such as: Clean-up campaign and group art work. Valuing the importance of the children’s educational classes in school, the sessions were conducted on two separate days one for each event. The excitement to both work and learn outside the classroom has always kept children interested and they have valued it.
“I really enjoyed doing the activity”.
Kritika Pradhan
Deorali
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STORYTELLING SESSION IN BONG, CHIBBO AND PUDUNG
BY MS. MINKET LEPCHA
In order to keep the local stories alive Ms. Minket has been sharing stories based on nature and culture. During the CoVID19 pandemic, GFF Helps India along with her (GFF Helps Nepal Volunteer) conducted online storytelling sessions for the children of India and Nepal. For the first time children of Kalimpong got the opportunity to hear her stories in person. The session was held in all the 3 SOGG centres namely Deorali, Chibbo, Pudung and sub centre Kameshi. There she shared a story on Totola (medicinal flower) and Yeti. Along with the story, activities were also conducted based on meditation, self reflection and gratitude towards nature. A total of 60 students participated. The sessions were held in the evening time after the school hours. After the 2 hour session, children were happy to have learnt about a new story about their locally found Totola. Children were happier when they received a Totola flower from Ms. Minket as a gift of nature.
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“Stories tend to die if not shared with the upcoming generations”
In the capital city of Nepal, i.e. Kathmandu, many women have been given the opportunity to work, while it may not be true for most women within Nepal. The women empowerment project led by the GFF Helps Nepal is an initiative to fire the flames of embers rising within the women to rise from clutches of cultural and societal expectations.
While, several projects in the past were focused on helping women to be engaged with the aim of becoming self-dependent. In addition to the payments made to the women group for their hard-work in tailoring of eco-friendly accessories; honouring them with khada (cultural gesture of respect) and words of encouragement has been an eminent part of supporting the women in the process of this project.
The most valuable time was spent with the women as Mr. Krishna Prasad (PNGO CDS Executive Director) and Mrs. Samjhana Dhakal (PNGO CDS- Finance Manager), encourages the women from this project.
Observing World Environment Day
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On 5th June, students from Bal Kumari community school gathered on the occasion of ‘World Environment Day’. Several activities observing this special occasion, was conducted, such as: Clean-up campaign and group art work. Valuing the importance of the children’s educational classes in school, the sessions were conducted on two separate days one for each event. The excitement to both work and learn outside the classroom has always kept children interested and they have valued it. The students work in groups participating in art work as a part of observing and understanding the message of World Environment Day.
Sensitization on the theme – Only One Earth
Children from Bal Kumari school in-action to spread this message on World Environment Day.
Students from both junior and middle school enjoy their time in learning via art and group work. Although papers were used in conducting these events, it will be reused as lessons for future activities.
Supporting Children’s Home (Bourgandi)
The GFF Helps Nepal team love to be a part of the lives of children who live in children’s home here in Nepal. Therefore, engaging with children and empowering them with the emotional and educational support has been the major aim to help them strive higher in their lives. Considering the need of the children, GFF Helps Nepal were able to provide with Nepali – to- English dictionaries for these children. Over eight children were present at the time of distribution, with few extra dictionaries were distributed later on.
Weekly sessions with the children and engaging them in several activities seeking to promote the children’s emotional and educational capabilities through these activities. Such as: English Language Classes, General Knowledge, Singing and music sessions, indoor games, meditation sessions, physical exercises and therapeutic listening sessions and group discussions.
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SUPPORTING DAY CARE CENTRE (CHILD DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY)
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The importance of tending to the needs of children from a young age can bear fruits of immense strength and gratitude in the lives of these children.
Similarly, with the aim to support children of the Day Care Centre belonging to PNGO – The Child Development Society, GFF Helps Nepal team has been working to improve the lives of these children.
Joy and love has been feeding all of our souls as we work for children at the Day Care Centre in CDS Kapan. The most precious smiles are captured sometimes with a camera and sometime with our eyes. It steers our hearts with compassion and love.
It is always a joy to support children.
COMMUNITY WELLBEING ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSES
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Community school children of BalKumari Basic school in Kapan, have been receiving educational support from GFF Helps Nepal team. Regular English lessons have been conducted with middle school children. The sessions are kept light, enjoyable and very focused on improving -grammar, pronunciation, speaking proficiency, dialogue and overall English Language of the children.
Participatory Training with PNGO CDS
A two day’s Orientation on Basic Counselling skills for all the staff of PNGO was organized on 7th and 8th June 2022. During the orientation Resource Person and Psychologist, Mrs. Rama Karki facilitated the session with ease on key topics like therapeutic communication skills, quick screening skill, counselling methods, etc.
Since most of the staff of the PNGO work with vulnerable children and women from the brick kilns, sometimes the child needs psycho social support and women also require emotional support. In such cases, the staff can be a good listener and resolve issues at the ground level and refer the serious cases to the respective organizations.
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The trainer also taught participants how to provide a safe space to vent about the children and women’s issues.
Joe FisherNepal working towards Emotional Learning
OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR THE ATI VILLAGE IN MALAY, AKLAN
The level of sanitation and good hygiene practices among indigenous people is low. They survive through the old ways of living that may not be effective today. Red Cross Philippines in coordination with the Aklan Trekkers spearheaded a program about hygiene that will help the indigenous people of Aklan called Atis or Aetas. GFF HELPS PH Team was invited to join the program. We travelled for four hours from Kalibo town to reach the headquarters of Aklan Trekkers in Malay town. We met more volunteers from other groups and helped them prepare the groceries and hygiene kits. The Aetas of Malay, Aklan is thriving in its mountainous part, so we have to trek for almost three hours back and forth. These hardworking people helped us with our loads. They listened intently to the lecture of Red Cross Representatives and received hygiene kits after. They also ate the foods that the volunteers prepared for them. We are so happy to see the smiling faces of the Aetas. Their gratitude and warm welcome were enough for us. These programs made them feel that they are not forgotten.
“Improving the well-being of indigenous people by teaching good hygiene practices.”
GFF HELPS PH Team with the volunteers and some members of the Aklan Trekkers and Red Cross Philippines. GFF HELPS PH Team with Aeta youths in the village.
Online Storytelling
“Gives students the power to express themselves through multi- literacy modes.”
“Oh no! There are two monsters already!” one of the kids gasped after reading the passage. They enthusiastically participated in the alternate reading of passages. They are also fascinated with the pictures. They learned that usual fights with siblings will always be resolve with empathy and good conversation. It is not the first time that they relate with the story. Our stories were carefully chosen to suit the age of the kids. We always make sure that it is relatable and fun. At the end of each session, we always have a recap of the story and reiterate the good values portrayed.
The kids relate to the story “How to Tame a Monster?” which talked about a usual fight between siblings and how it was resolved.
Reading Workshop & Mobile Library
Stifhany and LP together with Barrera siblings and their cousins holding their worksheets.
We started the first session of the Reading Workshop with Barrera siblings and their cousins. This small group of kids was gathered by Mrs. Karen De Juan, an association member. Two of these kids were her sons. All of them are preschoolers and need an ample amount of guidance and patience. During our next visit, we prepared printed worksheets from educational websites. The worksheets target the writing and artistic skills of the kids while learning about numbers and counting. Mrs. Karen and other mothers were grateful for the regular visit that we do for their kids. She said that it is a good break for the kids instead of playing outside the whole day.
“Enhancing the opportunity of access to library resources.”
“Engaging students in authentic reading experiences”
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Stifhany and LP together with Kalibo Bikers Rally doing the School Clean-up Drive and Vegetable Planting on June 13, 2022 in Sigcay Elementary School, Sigcay, Banga, Aklan
School Clean-up Drive and Vegetable Planting
The Brigada Eskwela (helping one another) is an activity led by the Department of Education (DepEd) where everyone in the school community works together to prepare schools for the opening of classes.
This led the GFF HELPS Philippines Team to initiate this Community Project: School Clean-up Drive and Vegetable Planting Program in Sigcay Elementary School, prepared all the necessary documents and other materials and collaborated with the officers and members of the Kalibo Bikers Rally (KBR) to maximize the work and cleaning activity. The said activity will later benefit the pupils of Sigcay Elementary School since the leafy vegetables called Sweet Potato Vines are rich in iron and fiber and will later bear nutritious root crops. This will later harvested by the pupils for the opening of school year.
Our gratitude to Kalibo Bikers Rally (KBR) for joining the GFF HELPS Philippine Team’s Community Project in Sigcay Elementary School, Sigcay, Banga, Aklan, Philippines.
As known to all, the Kalibo Bikers Rally (KBR) is a group of youth, government employees, government officials, professional and private individuals headed by the group’s President, Hon. Kobe Abet Magsisi, and Vice President, Mr. Phil Melgarejo, followed by the rest of the officers and members, who bike around the Panay Island – where Aklan is located – for physical health awareness, bike-touring, volunteering in charities and doing ride-for-a-cause programs and community projects.
It is good and advantageous in our part to communicate, gather different organizations, and involving them in these kinds of works to improve camaraderie and networks between the GFF HELPS Team and different organizations in Aklan.
“Doing charity works to schools to help the future Filipino children.”
Lady Peace
GFF Helps Representative
“Helping the community through networks and connections to organizations”
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Joe FisherOutreach, connect, learn and grow – PHILIPPINES
ADDRESSING PARENT CHILD RELATIONSHIP & MENTAL HEALTH
BONG, CHIBBO & PUDUNG
KALIMPONG
The pandemic that lasted for more than 24 months has had dramatic changes in the lives of families- parents and children alike. GFF Helps representatives felt the need for a session that would help promote healthy socialization as well as support effective behavior of children and families. Ms. Dechen Y. Bhutia, a psychologist at Army Public School Kalimpong facilitated the session. The main aim of the session was:
to help parents understand their own roles and responsibilities
to maximize positive outcome for children and their families
to help parents understand their children’s individual needs and development
The target group for the session were parents of Bong, Chibbo and Pudung villages, that was held on the 13th of May, 19th of May and 20th of May respectively. The session was rewarding as many doubts were cleared and clarifications made.
“I really enjoyed guiding the students well and they have done well. We had a good exposure. Thank you for organizing the event.” Milan Bardewa, Coordinator and teacher, Team Chibbo.
An inter centre quiz competition was held in Chibbo for the students of Bong, Chibbo, Kameshi and Pudung in the month of March 2022. The aim of hosting the quiz competition was to evaluate the knowledge of the students- academic as well as beyond academics. Students from class 7, 8 and 9 took part in the competition- and their knowledge was tested from 4 fields namely- general knowledge, sports, history and geography.
Ms. Lisa and Mr. Anthony Thocker attended the event as Chief Guests
The participants had well prepared as they had been guided well by their respective centre teachers. The event was moderated by GFF Helps Representative Ms. Melissa Namchu and made the session interactive, so that the students are not intimidated but to further build their confidence. Questions about Kalimpong were also asked for the students know about their community and society. The first place was grabbed by Team Pudung, followed by Chibbo, while Bong and Kameshi were the second runner’s up. Ms. Lisa and Mr. Anthony Thocker attended the event as Chief Guests and were impressed by the knowledge that the students possessed. They also shared message to the students. This one day event was rewarding to the students as well as their mentors.
Prizes ready for distribution
“Our team thoroughly enjoyed the competition. Our teacher guided us well. Next time we will stand first!” Lyang Ong, Participant, Team Pudung.
Phase-III of the psychosocial intervention based on a Self Care Session was conducted on 8th of April, 2022. The session which was conducted at Srijanshil Rehabilitation and Special Educational School for the Disabled – SRSESD, where more than 22 participants participated in the session. The session focused on enhancing self-care and refilling of ones mind with thoughts of affirmation, motivation, praise and celebration of self and one relation to others.
GFF Helps team along with Mr. Rampukat (Clinical Psychologist) and Srijanshil school staff
Out door activity during the Self-Care Session
Self-Care Session conducted by Mr. Rampukar. Phase-III of psychosocial intervention
Ram Pukar Shah in the session
An expertise and effective session facilitated by Mr. Ram Pukar Shah, Clinical Psychologist with Kanti Children Hospital. The three phases of Psychosocial Intervention is completed. Followed by Lobbying for the children with no disability cards and case study documentation of children’s mental disabilities. Carried by follow-up sessions in the next 6 months.
Mandevi Nakarmi
“I learnt about yoga exercises and the need to practice such exercises. These trainings are helpful in the long run. I felt at ease after attending this self care training.”
Samikchya Thapa
I am very happy and I am very impressed with this session. Many a times there are things which we wish to do, but aren’t able. I got the opportunity to share things which I wanted to. There are times when one gets alone and thoughts swirl in my mind. But, today I have learnt in which moments and instances what must be done. My experience was too good.
Durga Rana Magar
I am travelling from Thankot as my brother’s guardian. I am very happy and satisfied with the Self Care training provided by you in Srijnsheel School for the Differently Abled Children, in New Naikap.
Handouts that were given to the parents with the objective to help them receive a future reference in knowing their struggles and finding out solutions
Appreciation and Praise Practice
Key Highlights
Self Care of parents and care takers
Eliminate anxiety
Minimize frustration
Stress Reduction
Diverse parents
Joe FisherCompletion of Phase III – Self Care Session under Psychosocial Intervention
Madalag is a landlocked municipality in Aklan. Most of its towns are remote and do not have access to electricity. The people are living through a traditional lamp that lights the whole hut. The GFF HELPS Philippines Team proposed and
Solar Project- One of the beneficiary of the solar project Mr. Victor.
initiated a Solar Project that would benefit the villagers that do not have electricity. By 2020, 100 families received their solar kits. After two years, we visited them and saw the status of their solar kits. Together with Mr. Saom and Ms. Lisa, we trekked mountains to reach each of them, sometimes under drizzles. We stopped by some houses to rest and eat. While on our way, we met the beneficiaries going down the mountain to buy some condiments in the town. We talked to them and asked them about their solar kits. All of them stated that they benefitted a lot from the solar kits. They don’t need to go to the town only to charge their cellphones. They can continue working with their livelihood even at night because the light is not flickering. Their babies can sleep well because the house is brighter. They can carry their solar kits everywhere because it is handy. We are overwhelmed by their statements and grateful for their hospitability.
Solar Project -Wearing rain ponchos before riding on a motor-taxi.
We are hoping that while they are waiting for the electricity to reach them, our solar kits will light their humble homes.
English for Village Manager and Assistant Manager of the society
As the second phase of the English for Village
project we plan to conduct classes for school
children in Akiririyagala village. In 2019, the first
phase of the project, the classes were conducted by
undergraduates of SANASA campus. However, in the
first level of the second phase project, we are
planning to get support from a third person because
the face to face lectures are not started in the
SANASA campus yet. In the second level of the
project we plan to let undergraduates involved with
the project. It is beneficial for undergraduates as well
to improve their teaching and learning skills.
Classes can be held in the SANASA Cooperative
society building and they will help to find a resource
person to conduct the classes.
With Dr. W. Jayasundera, GFF Sri Lanka Representative Hasini Athauda visited Akiriyagala Sanasa Society and met the manager of the society to further discuss the project.
SBP Closing ceremony with GFF Helps advisor Mr. Tharaka Munidasa
GFF HELPS Sri Lanka in collaboration with Global Shapers Kandy Hub and SANASA Campus conducted a three month long career guidance and capacity development programme where weekly workshops were conducted for 18 undergraduates from SANASA Campus. These workshops covered 16 modules aimed to equip the participants with 21st century skills and employability skills which will greatly enhance their chance of landing better jobs after the completion of their academic programme.
MODULES
01: Discovering yourself
02: Mental Wellbeing
03: Confidence building and language proficiency
04: Career Guidance
05: CV Building
06: LinkedIn
07: Interviews/Networking/Etiquette
08: Email etiquette/Meetings/ presentations
09: Work life balance/stress management/planning
10: Digital Literacy
11: Digital skills
12: Financial Literacy
13: Responsible Citizenship
14: Responsible Global Citizenship
15: Leadership & Team building/treasure hunt
16: Healthy Living
SBP Closing ceremony
Beneficiary feedback
SBP Certificate of Achievement
SBP Certificate of Participation
This insightful programme marked an end on March 19, 2022 on virtual platform with an evaluation from Global Shapers Kandy Hub, Comments from GFF Sri Lanka and SANASA Campus and beneficiary feedbacks. For certificate distribution we have selected 6 achievers and 7 participants through their performances and attendance. The performances of all the beneficiaries will be further evaluated.
Paarticipants and GFF Helps India team in Kamshi, Kalimpong
On the 8th of March 2022, GFF Helps India organized International Women’s Day celebration in Bong, Kamshi, Pudung and Chibbo villages. The programs were held in collaboration with the SOGG L&I Centres in their premises. Women of the respective villages were felicitated by the staff of SOGG and GFF Helps. Cakes, sweets and snacks were provided to the participants.
GFF Helps India team took part in the Bong and Kamshi village’s celebration. Apart from the informative session on International Women’s Day, a fun session for the women was organized where they sang and danced. The women were dressed up in saree (traditional outfit) especially for the occasion. Women of these four villages are mostly homemakers and engage in farm based activities. Their lives revolve around their children and family. They rarely have time to go out for their houses for leisure. Therefore this program provided them time and space to celebrate and rejuvenate themselves.
The main aim of the program was to create a platform for women of the village to come together and celebrate womanhood and their contribution towards their society.
Women of Chibbo interacting with each other during the Women’s Day Celebration
Women in Bong enjoying their dance session
One of the women participants in Bong village said that “Thank you so much for organizing the program and making this day special for us”.
Joe FisherInternational Women’s Day Celebration with GFF Helps India
The most valuable time was spent with the women as Mr. Krishna Prasad (PNGO CDS Executive Director) and Mrs. Samjhana Dhakal (PNGO CDS- Finance Manager), encourages the women from this project.
