Article published in Nepal's leading newspaper!

Hi all readers, 

It's been a while since I have posted anything on this blog because I was busy with exams.

Recently, I did a summer camp in India called 'Encounter India' which was organised by the UWC, India. This was an eye-opening and unforgettable experience. After coming back from the camp, I started writing an article on a homestay, which was part of the 20 days long summer camp. The article was titled "Poverty and gender inequality: Realities from a homestay" I am happy to have published this article now in Nepal's most circulated and reputable newspaper- The Kathmandu Post. This article was mentioned in my school's (The British School, Kathmandu) weekly newsletter as well as on their website. I would be grateful if you could give up some of your valuable time to read my article. I can assure you that you will have a different way of looking at poverty and gender inequality.

I have attached a screenshot of a PDF file for the newspaper page which has the article, and also this is the link online for the article: http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/printedition/news/2017-09-27/poverty-and-gender-inequality-realities-from-a-homestay.html

Thank you, 

Shreyas Agrawal

SORRY IF IT IS BLURRY, PLEASE LOOK AT THE ONLINE VERSION INSTEAD

VaaO episode 14: 08/04/17- Party time!- Season 1 finale

This was our last day with the children at the orphanage so we decided to arrange a small party/treat for them. We were immensely happy to see all joy and happiness on all of their faces. We ordered pizzas and soft drinks for all the kids and joined them for the party! They were very thankful to us for what we did for them. It was a really touching moment that I cannot describe in words. I got to learn a lot from this and it was indeed an experience that I will not forget. I also hope that the children got a lot from us! Missing you kids- hope to see you all again! Looking forward to continuing volunteering at the orphanage if I have enough support from you all and make a season 2!

#stay_tuned_to_know_my_next_activity

VaaO episode 13: 01/04/2017- 'Plan for party day + Movie → FUN!'

Our main aim today was to plan the party day next week because unfortunately our plan for the day out to Boudhanath was cancelled :( We planned to order pizza and drinks and have a mini party with all the children at the orphanage since it will be the last day for this course (bronze level of DOE- service category). Additionally, we’ll distribute notebooks, pens, pencils, etc to all the kids next week. We distributed the tasks between the six of us, so everyone gets an equal chance to participate. Today, there were a few minutes left of the previous movie. After finishing watching the movie we all had to plan for next week and also today we needed to go at 12- an hour early. Because of this, we decided to put on another movie for the next 30 mins which were remaining. We all managed to successfully decide next weeks work and split it between us!

I am looking forward to the party next week but heartbreakingly it will be our last day with the kids. The kids were an inspiration for us and the fact that they are always enjoying and smiling even though they don’t have their parents really touches me deep. They don’t show the fact that they are orphans. If you think about it parents are the biggest thing someone needs, they play a vital role, and those kids don’t have that. This course of 4 months also taught me many things like: Creative ways to engage children and being patient with them. Also through this active involvement with a team of six at the orphanage, I have honed my leadership skills. We all have successfully met our goal of bringing a smile on their face :) We’ll miss you!

#get_ready_for_season_finale_next_week

VaaO episode 12: 25/03/2017- 'Let's plan for the future!'

We continued the movie from where we left off- it’s almost finished now! Today our aim was to call Mr. Bhavendra Thamsuhang- (the Director of Loving Home- the orphanage we go to) so we could discuss a few things with him at the orphanage. We’re coming towards the end of our service category in the bronze award so we wanted to discuss a few things with him such as:

• If children at the orphanage need any further help besides just our classes e.g. Books, uniforms, etc.
• If there is anything our parents could do to help the orphanage e.g. donations, etc.
• What is the thing that is lacking at the orphanage.
• How many total children are there at the orphanage.
• We told him briefly about the highlights of the activities we have done.
• Day out next to next week to Boudhanath.

We were planning to take all the kids on a day out to Boudhanath (famous tourist destination  in Nepal- it’s a monastery!) and have lunch after that. We needed to take permission from the orphanage to take all the kids. Guess what… we got permission! So next to next week we will be taking all the kids to Boudhanath!

After getting a positive response about the trip he also told us things we could do to help the orphanage:

• Do as much as you can- discuss with your parents!
• It would be great if all the kids could get a uniform for their new session which will begin in mid April.
• Books and stationery for all the kids for the new session would be great.
• We provide them food and clothes so that is not an issue, basically pretty much you can do to help- as much as you can.
• Also, we all were happy to hear that he appreciates what we all are doing at the age of 15 for orphans!

Lastly, he’s a nice guy and we all were happy to meet him. It was indeed a crucial and an important discussion we had with him. Next week we will be visiting the orphanage again, also we'll plan more in depth for our trip!

VaaO episode 11: 18/03/2017 - 'Movie time'

Last week was Holi (festival of colours celebrated in India, Nepal and other neighbouring countries) so we couldn’t go and visit the students. This week we decided to do something more entertaining with the children and something that they don’t probably get to do as often. We came to a conclusion to show them a movie. This idea worked very well and all the children were engaged and enjoyed watching “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” (a Hindi movie of 2013). I was delighted to see the happiness and joy in their eyes, seemed as if it was something they always wanted. When we told them today we are going to watch a movie then they all quickly arranged the table to sit and watch the movie- I just don't have any words to describe their excitement. I felt satisfied to see them happy & excited and once again it reminded me of how privileged I am and don’t even realise the importance of having a laptop to watch movies whenever I want. Later after an hour and half we gave all the kids colouring sheets and books to read. At 1 pm we finished off! Today was fun and the kids seemed to have enjoyed! Hope to see them next week again. 

 

VaaO episode 10: 04/03/2017 - 'Shout UNO (card game)'

There was gap in visiting the orphanage because of our school’s sports day, but we went this week :) Today we didn’t have anything special, besides teaching the children how to play card games such as “UNO” as well as showing along with teaching them card tricks- shuffling/magic. After doing this activity for 30 minutes we gave them printed sheets to color and coloring pencils. I am actually very happy to see the joy on their face when they see coloring sheets to color, probably because that is something they do rarely. This reminds me of how privileged I am and why I shouldn't be wasting or misusing resources along with reminding me the significance of it. Later, we gave them books to read and we read with the children who weren’t as good in reading or maybe they were just learning. They actually enjoy reading books, and look forward to us to bring them books so they can read it. Towards the end, some of the children started playing football and mini drills of football in small groups, it was pleasurable to see them being creative and doing exceptionally well. They all seem to have benefitted from us today, which is positive and inspiring for us! Another good thing is I also benefit when I go there because it makes me realise the the second type of life, what I have- if I am using it efficiently and I thank god for giving me birth in a privileged family. We’re looking forward to doing another new and interesting activity with the children next week!

PS: We forgot to take pictures/videos today, sorry! :(

VaaO episode 9: 11/02/2017 - ‘Those hands on sheets though’

Luckily, we went this week to the orphanage, we missed last week. Today our main activity besides reading, coloring and sports was hand printing. To begin with we made tang juice for the kids and served it to them. Then we gave them pictures to colour and meanwhile we set up the posters, paint, etc for hand printing. We bought 2 big posters, on which the children did hand printing. We asked all of them to stand in a queue and come to us one by one to paint their hand, followed by printing it onto the poster. Also after printing, they wrote their name beside the hand print. All the kids enjoyed this activity very much. Later towards the end this very nice girl made mouth-watering tea for the 3 of us. This was a very appreciated surprise! We had lots of fun and enjoyed these precious 2 hours spent with the kids!