Story

“Me for Gender Equality”

International Day of Peace 21st September 2019

Gender Equality has been a burning issue for some time in different parts of the world. Among the 17 Goals for Sustainable Development, Gender Equality is ranked as the 5th goal as it is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.  According to UNDP Nepal 2018 report, Nepal is ranked on the 105th place in the Global Index of Gender Equality. In the context of Nepal, there are still much discrimination s in family, society, such as child marriages, domestic violence, discrimination between sons and daughters and so on. In some cases, social values ​​and cultures seem to have a direct impact on this.

Every year MasterPeace celebrates International Day of Peace on 21st September around 40 different countries across the globe with different theme for each continent. The theme for Asia for this year was Gender Equality (SDGs 5).

With a motive to contribute a change in education status of Nepali society, we started distributing scholarship program for 156 students in 2017. After 3 months, we did monitoring and evaluation. Among those students, 2 students cut off their studies due to their child marriage. This shows that there still is lack of awareness in our society. Hence, our organization decided to lunch awareness raising program about child rights, importance of education and the impact of early age marriage on a child and society. There should be equal treatment in family and society and only then it will be easy to achieve gender equality. By demonstrating the problems they faced during adolescence, more understanding about participation and gender equality is created.

For the effectiveness of awareness program, Peace for People organized a program with the title “Me for Gender Equality” on International Day of Peace 2019. The foremost objectives of this program were:

• To raise public awareness of gender equality.
• To develop a mindset that gender equality is only possible for all of us with equal participation.
• To encourage the school level to inspire adolescents to play a leading role in the home, family and society by making all parties aware of it.
• To motivate a victim of gender discrimination to open the door and raise concerns with the concerned bodies.

Also another crucial motive of this program was to make people aware about the organization like ours that works for social welfare.

The event was scheduled on 20th September, 2019 in Shree Adarsha Secondary School, Dhading, on 21st September, 2019 in Dalit Primary School, Parsa and on 26th September, 2019 in Lilakali Secondary School, Dhading.

The event involved 1500 participants within one week. This program focused on informing the local community about gender equality, by creating impact and solutions through arts. Gender equality is only possible with equal participation of women and men and its main starting point is that we are equal and that this should start from school level. Though the main focus of the event was on the students, it involved teachers and parents as well.

The event was comprised of different programs like dramas, musical performances, speeches, dialogue, game fun and many more. This event caught the attention of local government and media as well. The committee named SDG 5 showed interest in our program and responded us positively of being a support in our future events as well.

In the event, the guests and distinguished personalities shared some of their thoughts on this campaign. The Vice Mayor of Thakre Municipality Ambika Rupakheti shared, “Even in 21st century, female and male are discriminated in different aspects. They are not given equal chances. So through this campaign ‘Me for Gender Equality’, I want to contribute to our society, school and locality by my best way possible.”

Bishnu Gautam, principal of Shree Adarsha Secondary School said, “In the men dominant society like ours, I believe this ‘Me for Gender Equality’ campaign will bring positive change in mindset of people.”

Santosh Bidari, president and founder of Peace for People said, “To bring some change, we should not always look up to others to begin. The word ‘me’ is very important so that we can say – I can change my society. Hence, I believe ‘Me for Gender Equality’ will play important role in bringing a change in our society.”

Being motivated by the positive responses from different personalities and realizing the potential this event has got to bring a change, we decided to continue this campaign. In cooperation with local government and concerned authority, we will be launching awareness programs and workshops in various schools and local community.

For the second time, a 6-day Peace and Conservation Walk took place in the beautiful Dhading area of Nepal, which is blessed with natural beauty, unique topography, and beautiful, hospitable people.

Project Brief

MasterPeace Nepal organized the 2nd edition of the MasterPeace Walk in Thakre, Nepal from the 7th until 16th November 2018. A group of 36 colorful people – 14 Nepali, 2 Indian, 1 Georgian and 15 Dutch participants – joined the 6-day walk in the beautiful nature of the Dhading area close to the majestic Himalayas in 1000 – 2000 meters of altitude. The walk in the rural area was a core part of the total 10-day event and a very unique experience for all participants.

The core of a MasterPeace Peace Walk is about learning from nature and culture, building bridges between cultures, and getting to know new insights of one’s own personal leadership. Storytelling and dialogue are always the main elements in the program, and the walk itself is a perfect instrument to reflect and share stories about life and work in challenging times. MasterPeace Foundation highly values the MasterPeace Walk Nepal as it builds bridges between cultures, adds value to the local community and helps to build a strong MasterPeace network in the local region, not to mention the personal impact for each and every participant and all local Nepali people involved. In 2018, the participants got the opportunity to experience the Nepali Culture and rituals first hand, as they were invited to celebrate the Tihar festival with the family of the MasterPeace club leader Santosh Bidari.

Project Context

The Thakre area in Nepal faces a lack of quality education. For MasterPeace Nepal, education is key in solving the challenge of thousands of young Nepali talents leaving the country for seeking better financial opportunities. This “brain drain” is a big challenge for a sustainable and healthy future of Nepal. In general, the main goal for the MasterPeace club Nepal and its umbrella NGO Peace for People is to increase quality education (SDG 4) for all Nepali children and raise awareness of the importance of quality education among the students, parents, teachers and the government.

Project Outcome

• The visibility of MasterPeace Nepal increased, evidenced by growth of followers and activity on social media.
• MasterPeace Nepal has now received invitations by the local government to participate in meetings about long-term planning of education and empowerment of (female) youth, which proves that the local government is initiating serious partnerships the organization.
• The participating team from www.jeweetzelf.nl has produced a movie of MasterPeace Walk 2018, which will be launched January ‘19.
• Participants have become loyal friends and active ambassadors of MasterPeace.
• With the funding obtained from participation fees, 15 children can attend school, a woman cooperation will be set up, and an awareness campaign for a clean environment will be carried out.
  

  Project Impact
  

  • The MasterPeace Walk Nepal is now a proven and established “best practice format” for building bridges between cultures and adding value to the local community.
  • Increased involvement of MasterPeace Nepal with local government in discussions and long-term planning on education in the region.
  • The growing group of volunteers for the MasterPeace Nepal Club.
  • Awareness and eagerness among young students and local adults to be part of the community of MasterPeace Nepal.

  The third edition of the MasterPeace Walk Nepal will take place from 6-15 November 2019.

  Curious to know more? Keep an eye on updates here: www.masterpeace.nl/masterpeace-walk-nepal-2019

  

Soon after the occurrence of the devastating earthquakes in April and May 2015, we felt an urgent need for organizing a Health Camp at Ugrachandi-3, Nala in Kabhre district for serving the earthquake victims. We organized the camp with the cooperation of Dr. Iwamura Memorial Hospital and Research Centre and were further encouraged by the happiness and gratitude of the people, most of whom were the local elderly. PfP also arranged street performances to make people aware and alert about measures to be taken at the time of earthquake occurrence.

This initiative served not only as an informative mechanism but also offered people the knowledge on how to deal with the consequences of the quakes and shocks, and on how to cope with their fears and troubles. We enjoyed sharing what little we had, and found warmth in creating new and renewing old relationships. All this will have a lasting impression in our hearts and minds .In addition, we offered financial support to a few households that were facing acute financial difficulties. In total, more than 300 people benefited directly from the program.

During the devastating earthquake of 2015, many schools, houses, temples and office building were damaged. Fourteen of the country’s 75 districts were subject to the strongest impact. As PfP is chiefly focused on education, youth, and women, our attention got naturally drawn to the government/public schools where the buildings were in ruins, meaning that students were not able to receive education for a long period of time after the earthquake. To contribute to solving this serious problem, we decided to install Temporary Learning Centres (TLC) for some of the most affected schools, and offer building materials to other school communities.

We began our support with Bhumesthan Primary School at Mechhegaun in Kabhre district, where we built aTLC with bamboo and CG sheets as primary building materials. With the help of the local people and the members of the School Management Committee (SMC), we were successful in our ambition. All concerned were very pleased from our contribution, and we felt really encouraged by their smiling expressions of happiness. At times, some people considered us fools as we were helping others while our own houses were lying collapsed and in ruins, but we did not care and continued the work. With our efforts, however small and insignificant they might have been, we wished and tried to help to reduce the pains and sorrows of the people. Collecting resources was not an easy task, but not impossible once we tried. About 100 students benefited directly from this support we managed to offer.

Next, we supported Janata Primary School at Thakre in Dhading district by providing them with bamboo and CG sheets to construct their own TLC. Here, another group of100 studentsbe came very happy as clearly reflected by the warm smiles on their face. Similarly, we helped Bendi Devi Lower Secondary School at Jharlang, in Dhading. Although transportation to the school was very difficult, our team managed to get all construction materials (bamboo and CG sheets) to the school. Using the materials provided, the staff and the local community jointly constructed a TLC that could directly serve over 150 students. Soon, we also supported Kaule Primary School at Thakre-9, in Dhading. The school building was in such a critically damaged condition that going close to it was very risky. We provided the school with CG sheets and bamboo its repair. Upon receiving the support, the community was so overwhelmed that they honored us with flower garlands and vermillion. This TLC directly improved the conditions for over  students.

One Day Is Everyday

It is just one day.
It is just one stage.
100 teenagers are performing.
The young people, together, on the stage are making music, are singing, are dancing, are acting.
1000 people are watching, are listening, are applauding in the audience.
It is just one day.
It is just one day for peace and hope to be expressed through music It’s just one day.
It’s just one day to build awareness for the International Day of Peace.
It’s just one day to find people to help us ensure quality education for all.
It’s just one day to draw attention to our personal responsibility in stopping violence, abuse and rape committed daily against women.
It’s just one day to challenge the daily existence of child labor and child marriage..
It is just one day to shed light on the crisis of daily drug abuse amongst teenagers.
There are 100 young performers.
There are 1000 spectators in the audience.
This is just one day.
This is just one stage.
This is just a first stage.
Momentary applause is not enough.
Each and every one of us can act.
Today, day after day, together, we must act: for peace, for safety, for justice, for all.

School that was the only center for knowledge for the village of 300 families.  Devastated by earthquake, with no educational facilities, handled by few teachers and deprived by the concerned authorities. The school rooms that was temporarily built after earthquake.

A village that was the residence of ethnic  community along with underprivileged cast had no proper source of income and no development scenario. We  finally came up with launching “Foundation for Education – Phase 12 “initially. Foundation for Education is an event we’ve been doing to support the education and comfort kids of such schools where basic education facilities were not seen. Foundation of Education consists of infrastructure as well as stationary support in the school through which kids of the school should not worry for their necessity in the schools. We planned to cover all the basic necessity a student require in a primary school which included; Stationeries ( Copies, Pencils, sharpeners &  erasers ), School Bag, School Uniform to 100 Student’s .

According to the plan our team moved to Dhading on 11^th June, Saturday 2016. The problem we faced was the transportation facility till the school. Though it was challenging condition to transfer all the supplies in the school our team took it so easily that we reached school with a truck. The moment we arrived in the school, the expressions in the face of kids were priceless. They might have not thought of getting their own bags, uniforms, copies – pencil. They were so much happy and motivated while our team was busy unloading it. Teachers, Students, Guardian, seems so excited in this program.

Though due to time constraint we could not stay longer in the school, we felt peace and happiness within us by seeing the happiness those kinds were. Our supplies will definitely support them for their betterment and education, we are working out on how we can support the community in that village so that in future they will be able to sustain themselves with every facility a person require in this modern era.

Peace for People ( MasterPeace club of  Nepal)  celebrated peace day through storytelling about earthquake that shocked Nepal on 25^th April earlier this year on 22^nd September, 2015.

MasterPeace is global award-winning grassroots peace movement which celebrates the International Day of Peace by joint music performance across 35 countries for peace and MasterPeace Nepal is organized story-telling event in Goganpani Secondary School, Dhading, Nepal.

In this storytelling event, 10 students were selected by the jury member among 100 students who presented the stories of themselves what they experienced during Nepal Earthquake 2015. The top 5 students were selected among them. 1 from Primary level, 3 from lower secondary level and 1 from secondary level students were finalized.

Santosh Bidari ,Country Coordinator of MasterPeace Nepal expresses, “ Since Nepal had a tragic moment earlier this year by the earthquake. Many people are affected and among which educational institutes are mostly affected in rural Nepal. We came with this idea of storytelling because all the stories could be heard by people around the world through MasterPeace network and students will be able to express their feelings about the earthquake which they have not done yet as well as best 5 story tellers were benefited by a year scholarship in the school. MasterPeace Nepal will be continuing supporting schools in rural areas of Nepal and these kind of scholarship events in various schools in future.  “

Every year, MasterPeace celebrates the International Day of Peace through a series of events around the world, using music, art, and social media to bring awareness to the day and open a discussion about peace in a local context.

In addition to connecting countries for Peace Day, MasterPeace provides stages for talented young artists to show their talents through widespread MasterPeace events; with diverse acts ranging from dance, theater, concerts, and other live performances.

We are thankful to the our partners ,Supporter and Volunteers.

“Foundation for Education – Phase 11”

Sometimes we travel for fun and sometimes for a purpose.

Few weeks back, our team mate, supporter and MasterPeace Nepal  partner from Himalayan Enchanter was traveling in rural villages of Dhading district for a charity hiking event organized by social campaign #YouHikeTheyRise to support a school in the village. An amazing hiking trails along with mesmerizing surrounding endowed the perfection of hike. After walking an hour in the route, right in the middle of the cliff there was a temporarily made two room building which was Himchuli Primary School

School that was the only center for knowledge for the village of 400 families. Devastated by earthquake, with no educational facilities, handled by few teachers and deprived by the concerned authorities. The participants in the hiking event had carried few stationery in their backpack to donate to the kids. While others were busy interacting with kids, our partner was engaged in knowing the necessity of the school, talked with the head-teacher and knew, there were many more support needed to facilitate the students. A school without student’s Desk and benches, no copies, no pencils for the students and more over a school rooms that was temporarily built after earthquake.

When our partner came back to Kathmandu and talked about the situation of school with us, we were so much eager to support the school. A village that was the residence of ethnic Chepang community along with underprivileged cast had no proper source of income and no development scenario. We brainstormed together for the possibilities on supporting the village and finally came up with launching “Foundation for Education – Phase 11 “initially. Meanwhile, our friends from Gurkha Nepalese Community, Medway, Kent, United Kingdom were also interested on our plan and we agreed to organize this aid together.

Foundation for Education is an event we’ve been doing to support the education and comfort kids of such schools where basic education facilities were not seen. Foundation of Education consists of infrastructure as well as stationary support in the school through which kids of the school should not worry for their necessity in the schools.

We planned to cover all the basic necessity a student require in a primary school which included; Stationeries ( Copies, Pencils, sharpeners &  erasers ), School Bag, School Uniform and most important the desk and bench where they can feel comfortable.

According to the plan our team moved to Dhading on 21^st Feb 2016 with 16 desks & benches, 55 Dozens Copies and Pencils, 55 set of school uniform and 55 set of school bags. The problem we faced was the transportation facility till the school. Though it was challenging condition to transfer all the supplies in the school our team took it so easily that we reached school with a truck full of supplies. The moment we arrived in the school, the expressions in the face of kids were priceless. They might have not thought of getting their own bags, uniforms, copies – pencils and proper desks and benches. They were so much happy and motivated while our team was busy unloading it.

Though due to time constraint we could not stay longer in the school, we felt peace and happiness within us by seeing the happiness those kinds were. Our supplies will definitely support them for their betterment and education, we are working out on how we can support the community in that village so that in future they will be able to sustain themselves with every facility a person require in this modern era.

We would like to offer sincere thanks and gratitude to the people who motivated, inspired, supported and encouraged us to help these kids. I hope to get support from all of you in our further projects which we will launch in that area.

Education is prosperity, prosperity is better life and that’s how peace is  created.

Shree Janata Primary School was Established in 1998. Due to the necessity of the school, there is no school is the area, local people established it. This is a government school .

Last year’s earthquake completely destroyed the school. Due to this the hope of the local people has been diminished. When we visited the school after disaster, the building was in critical condition. We decided we wanted to rebuild the school and started to collect resources. Although it was very hard for the locals, they are supporting the rebuild with labor and effort. Now a seven room school is almost ready to use. The local people, school comity, students, all are very happy.

This year we are celebrating the International Day of Peace with a Wall of Connection, a “Wall of Hope”. We have decorated the school wall with a painting that holds three important messages that support the basic principles of the primary school: play, learn and grow together.

1. The wall radiates a positive and happy emotion. It is a reminder of their Togetherness.
2. The wall also reminds the children of their lessons about
   Peace, Faith, Love, Laughter, Dance, Joy, Dreams,… Happiness.
3. The most important message of the wall is: Hope. Because the most important motivation to overcome though times is hope.

“Don’t lose Hope in each and every step of life.” is the central message .

After a period of 3 months in Nepal, I can tell you; this was an amazing experience. For me, but more special for the children. Their happiness and joy during the arts and music classes, is the best to experience everyday. Shree Janata Primary school, located in Dhading district, is a government school, where the children only read, write and copy.

The school building is divided in 5 classrooms, 1 library and an office. The classes are classified by age. And the teachers have their own specialty which they teach in every group. There are 3 teachers and 1 principle, who is also teaching. That means that every hour a different class don’t have a teacher, but just make their homework. The good thing about this is, that I could take over this class and doing arts and music every hour with a different group. The way of education in Nepal is teaching thru books. They read together and for remembering texts, they sing the words. During festivals they sing and dance the traditional songs. Playing, arts, music and social activities is not included in their education system. This is why I came to work in the school. I believe for growing in personality; getting to know more about yourself and the world around you, children need to do arts and music.

Through Peace For People Nepal, I got the chance to make a change for the children at Shree Janata Primary school, for a period of 3 months. With donations from family and friends, I brought and bought materials for the school. A lot of arts materials and music instruments. When I arrived at the school, I could start immediately with the activities. The first month explaining all the new materials, and teaching songs, and after that I showed them different activities which they can choose to do. In this way the children could do whatever they want in that moment. Its a stimulation for their creativity and it makes them more happy to be free to do whatever they want to do. Working together with the teachers is an challenge, because they are not educated by teaching arts or music. This is why I showed them every activity I was planning to do with the children. Its good to show them the happiness of the children while doing arts/music. They got inspired and also are interested in doing arts or music. Thats why I will stay in contact, while I’m back in the Netherlands. Every week I send them an activity they can teach the children and they send me the pictures of the process and results. It means that the children at Shree Janata Primary school got arts class every week on Friday. This is a great development what we achieved in 3 months. Its really special to be part of the Nepalese culture. They treated me with full respect and positivist.

The way of living; all together with the family, but also with all the neighbors, gave me the feeling of always being save. In the Netherlands I’m used to a lot of privacy, but also individualism was a part of my live. We all live separated, need our own space, don’t share everything and spend a lot of time behind our own front door. The differences are enormous and for both ways of living is something good and bad. But their sharing happiness and goodness gave me peace during my time in Nepal. The traditions of their believes and their food where really good. Eating rice and curry by hand is something you get used to. Sitting on the ground, sleeping in a shared room, using cold showers, eating fresh vegetables and drinking clear water where part of my live the last 3 months. And there was so much more what makes me happy, and also difficult parts because of our different cultures. Especially language; not knowing and speaking the Nepali language enough for having good conversations. But in 3 months I understood and spook the basics. Singing the Nepali songs during the festivals and having fun with Nepali friends and family, make my time in Nepal complete.

The positive vibe while dancing and singing will always be a good memory for me. The upcoming two months I will write a volunteer program for working at Shree Janata Primary school. I want to coordinate this program and send new volunteers who will teach arts and/or music for a period of 3-6 months. If you are interested, talented by working with children, want to make a change and if you are excited to live in another culture and learn more about Nepal, please send me an email and we will discuss your possibilities.