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His Holiness Pope Francis once shared that “People with disabilities are a gift for the family and an opportunity to grow in love, mutual aid and unity”. People with disabilities, also referred as people with special needs is an umbrella term used in clinical diagnostic and functional development to describe individuals who require assistance for disabilities that may be medical, mental, or psychological. Walking on the path of Pope’s wise words, Nepal Jesuit Social Institute has been supporting 20 children with special needs of Sustha Manisthiti Purnasthapana Kendra which is located at Karelthok-4, Kavre from the beginning of its establishment. From building fence, providing nutritious food and conducting medical interventions every 2 or 3 months, NJSI has now built an Activity center at Shree Bhagwati Secondary School with an aim to help develop the children, both personally and academically.

The special occasion of Inauguration of the Activity Center, built with the blessings and financial support from Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, of which Pope Francis is a founder of, was held on 2^nd May 2019. We were blessed with the presence of Reverend Monsignor Segundo Tejado Muñoz, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development who flew from Rome especially to attend this program. The ceremony started with National Anthem and lighting of the lamp by esteemed guests including Mr. Beppe Pedron, South Asia Regional Coordinator of Caritas Italy; Fr. Silas Bogati, Director of Caritas Nepal; Fr. Amrit Rai S.J, Regional Superior; Mr. Shivaraj Naral, Principal of the School and Ms. Sudha Silwal, resource teacher of the center. It was then followed by prayer song by the school students, official welcoming the guest and speeches. Highlight of the program was the message from Pope Francis which was delivered by Reverend Monsignor Segundo. He sent us greetings and blessings appreciating NJSI for its tremendous work of helping people in need. Ribbon cutting ceremony was done by the Chief Guest and the other guests. A plaque placed inside the gate was unveiled by the Chief Guest along with Ms. Laxmi Danuwar, Vice Mayor of Panchkhal Municipality continued right after the key of the building was handed over to the School principal and Sudha Maam. Fr. Silas blessed the new building and wished for its successful operation. Everyone in the audience then had an opportunity to have a quick look of the newly constructed and well-furnished building. The formality of the program was kept intact with Social audit.

One of the most significant performance during the program was a special dance by children with special needs of Sustha Manisthiti Purnasthapana Kendra, who were enjoying their own performance while also managing to add a grin on the face of their audience. The school management committee and the members of the center expressed their gratitude towards everyone involved in the project and provided them with appreciation certificates which also marked the end of the program.

An audience of almost 300 people were overjoyed with the addition of a new Activity Center in their locality. The beneficiaries felt privileged and were happy to get the opportunity to learn and grow in activity center. The local people of the area and the parents of the beneficiaries also showed gratefulness and gratitude towards NJSI for all their contribution till date .It was one of the remarkable event for NJSI as everyone was visibly satisfied and happy with the management as well as the center. But amongst them all, Ms. Sudha Silwal, resource teacher and caretaker of the special children and the children themselves were overwhelmed with the activity center. She looks forward to continuing their education, which had come to a halt after the 2015 Earthquake destroyed the building they previously conducted their class in. Additionally, she is assured that the facilities in cognitive development class, digital infrastructures and sports materials will strengthen children’s capacity in days to come.

Save Our Planet is a movement initiated by Nepal Jesuit Social Institute where young enthusiast from different schools are encouraged to take action to maintain healthy environment. A group of executive board members which is commonly known as Eco-club, are formed in each schools and then they conduct eco-friendly program such as Cleanliness campaign, Plantation of trees, Recycling/reuse, Fund raising, Media, and Documentation respectively. To guide them with more ideas on cultural values and activities related to conservation of environment outside the country, NJSI planned for an exposure program to Tarumitra.

Tarumitra which means Friends of Trees is a nationwide student organization in Patna, India. It has been promoting ecological sensitivity and campaigning about various ecological issues since 1988. It was started as a movement to protect and promote a healthy environment and now it has spread to over 1000 schools and colleges having more than 2,00,000 members. Tarumitra has also set up a bio-reserve in Patna where it has a rare collection of over 400 vanishing trees and plants.

On 31^st March, 2019 altogether 25 students and 7 teachers from 7 different schools gathered in NJSI premises to start their journey for International Exposure Program. After their arrival, a short introduction to Tarumitra and the concept of this exposure program was discussed. At around 6 in the evening, everyone jumped in the bus all with excitement and departed for Patna. After a long tiring journey, they reached Tarumitra Ashram at 4 pm on 1^st of April. Tarumitra graciously welcomed every member of SOP (Save Our Planet) team. They were then oriented about Tarumitra movement and its success till now which was followed by Ashram tour. The next day started with harvesting chickpeas early in the morning. Later everyone had a campus tour which was then followed by session on Big Bang Theory, Organic farming and making seed bombs. Cultural program and Eco-meal marked the end of the day. Next day was for harvesting green leaves. Later they had an interaction session with nearby school, Don Bosco Academy where they shared about their problems and exchanged ideas on solving them. After interaction, it was the time to practically know about Big Bang Theory in a Cosmic Walk session in which they got to know details about the history of earth. Students were awarded with certificates for participation. On the last day, on 4^th April they were taken for a city tour where they had a boat ride in the Ganga River and got to know about its history. After that they had a visit to Carmen High School and also Women’s College. The day was then followed by visit to Planetarium and International Museum. They were also taken to Patna’s market and for a short Zumba session which they really enjoyed. After a long day, the team was taken to Queen of Apostles’ Church and a graveyard which was beside the church. At last they had an interaction session where everyone spoke about their experiences and promised that they will take initiative for the environment conversation. They left for Nepal at 11 pm from Tarumitra.

The participants are really thankful to NJSI and Tarumitra for the golden opportunity. The experience for them has been different and has made them aware about the practices in the setting of India. They are grateful as the event has made them more responsible and self- confident. Every individual in the event has grown in one way or the other. They have promised to take steps and spread the knowledge on environment.

Dwindling water resources and dry land makes locals life more challenging. Sirantole, a village in Helambu Rural Municipality-4, Sindhupalchowk is one of the places which is devoid of access to adequate water. They rely on rain fed agriculture but when it comes to drinking water, women of the house walks for hours down the hill in stiff terrain to fetch water from nearby rivers and brooks.
Nepal Jesuit Social Institute took a quick step when the problem was notified. As a helping hand, NJSI built 15 taps and an 18000 liter capacity tank for villager for their ease in day to day life. On 29th March 2019, NJSI team reached to the site for the celebration on accomplishing the drinking water project in Sirantole. Altogether 34 people showed their presence. The program was precise and well managed. It started with welcoming the guest with Khada. Ward chairperson, Mr. Raj Kumar Lamichhane also showed his presence and supported the local throughout the program. After completion of the speeches, Fr. Arul and Mr. Raj Kumar inaugurated the tap and handed it to villagers.

Villagers expressed their utmost gratitude towards the whole team who worked for the water project. The women were happy that now they don’t have to walk for miles early in the morning just to fill a jar of drinking water. NJSI hopes for the sustainability of the work and wishes them for better lifestyle.

With the history of more than 10 years, Azad Secondary School is counted as one of the renowned schools of Banepa. In the recent years, Nepal Jesuit Social Institute has developed a special bond with the school. From educational intervention like Personal Development Camp and formation of Eco-club to building hostel for children with special needs, continuous support is being provided to the school. The school was recently provided with 100 sets of desk and benches.

On 9^th of March, the school management committee invited NJSI as a special guest for their annual day program. In the event all students and teachers of school, as well as special children from the hostel, members from school management committee and Laxmi Narsinga Bade Shrestha, Mayor of Banepa showed their presence. The program started at 12 in the afternoon. Student performed dances which was later followed by speech from honored guests. The Mayor and the school provided NJSI with appreciation certificate for continuously supporting school development in every way possible.

On this special occasion, the school management committee expressed their heartfelt gratitude toward NJSI and wished for stronger relationship in the years to come. NJSI has been providing guidance and platform to convert their potential to meaningful impact and also wishes for better future.

There is no other wisest investment than an investment in health. Realizing the need of a medical camp to address health issues of people of Koshidekha and Jaretar, NJSI collaborated with Navjyoti Center to conduct medical camp in each place. Along with NJSI and Navajyoti team, a team of therapist from Hong Kong of 8 also joined the health camp and conducted checkup and seminar on Reflexology.

On 5^th of March, Health camp was conducted at Koshidekha, Kavre and on 10^th Reflexology seminar was conducted at the same place. On the next day, students and teachers of Bhagwati School, Kharelthok, Kavre received information and free checkup by reflexologist. On 12^th March, all three teams gathered and conducted health camp where general checkup, distribution of medicines and seminar was done.   The first camp benefitted  423 people, 60 joined in the seminar on the second day. 58 participants attended the seminar in Bhagwati School and a total 356 people got successfully examined in the medical camp at Jaretar.   

The medical camps treated people who had mostly invited problems in their body as a result of excessive narcotic and alcohol addiction. Most of the patients also complained about irritation in their eyes as well as their skin, which might be the result of their lifestyle and the weather. Elderly people had a relatively high ratio in both the camps who complained about the inevitable problems of ageing.

The beneficiaries were extremely happy to receive medical support and checkup. They were thankful to the reflexologists who gave them information on symptoms of some diseases as well as the cure or methods of minimization and the doctors who prescribed medicines for other.

8th of March, International Women’s Day is an annual celebration all over the world to celebrate and acknowledge womanhood and their contribution in the society. Throughout these years, the world has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women’s and society’s thoughts about women’s equality and emancipation. Sticking to the motion “Balance for Better”, theme of this International Women’s Day 2019, gender mainstreaming in socioeconomic reformation has been a crucial focus of Nepal Jesuit Social Institute.

To celebrate Women’s Day, we went to two different places; Haibung, Sindhupalchowk and Tinkanya, Sindhuli. Along with NJSI team, visually impaired representatives from Bright Star Society and Blind Rocks also joined in the celebration. 34 people in Haibung and 39 people in Sindhuli gathered together for the program. The program started with welcome speech by locals. It was then followed by interactive games which made them open up and participate with full enthusiasm. Representatives from both of the organization gave motivational speeches on how they managed to rise despite of their inability to see. Video presentation and quiz were the main activities where they got to learn many facts about women and empowerment. The program was filled with poem, songs, dances and happy faces while returning home with determination to step up for equality.

Both of the places had engaging and enthusiastic participation. NJSI will continue to dismantle such stigmas by creating opportunities for women to utilize and outshine their potential, and prove themselves.