Reports

On 18 August, Peace Himalaya conducted an orientation program in Kathmandu to introduce students to the Peace Volunteer initiative. The event aimed to highlight the importance of organizing oneself into a club, with a strong focus on personality development and social engagement. As we live in an increasingly globalized world, it’s essential for young people to think globally and act locally, using their unique perspectives to address pressing issues like injustice and inequality.

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In the first week of September 2024, Peace Himalaya, in collaboration with Stichting Kinderen van de Wereld, conducted an orientation session at Dipendra Basic School in Sunsari and Bhagawati Higher Secondary School in Morang. The focus was on the situation of children, the legal framework governing their rights, and the principles of child-friendly governance. [See Video]

These sessions aimed to equip school management committee members, teachers, and child club members with the knowledge and tools necessary to foster a supportive and inclusive environment for children within their respective communities.

After the session, a quick survey was conducted among the 85 participants to evaluate the effectiveness of the training and gather insights for future improvements. The results were overwhelmingly positive:

• Confidence in Applying Knowledge:An impressive 98% of participants expressed confidence in applying the knowledge gained from the training in their daily work.
• Previous Training Experience:A majority of participants (72%) had not attended similar training in the past, highlighting the importance of offering such programs to fill existing gaps in knowledge and skills.
• Need for Additional Training:83% of participants believe that additional training on this topic is needed, reflecting a strong demand for continued education in this area.
• Clarity of Content:The content of the training was well-received, with 94% of participants finding it clear and understandable.
• Relevance of Topics:The relevance of the training topics was confirmed by 89% of participants, who either strongly agreed or agreed that the topics were pertinent to their roles.
• Overall Experience:The overall experience of the training was rated extremely positively, with an average score of 9.40 out of 10.
• Recommendation:All participants indicated they would recommend this training to others, highlighting the perceived value and effectiveness of the program.

These findings underscore the need for continued training and support in these critical areas to further empower communities and enhance the well-being of children.

On September 27th and 28th, heavy floods and landslides struck several areas in Nepal, with Makwanpur district among the hardest hit. In the small village of Sisneri, six lives were tragically lost, and the entire Sisneri Bazaar, along with numerous family homes, roads, and other essential infrastructure, was destroyed. This widespread damage has left the community at risk of further disasters, making prompt support critical.

Today, Peace Himalaya, in collaboration with several partner organizations, provided essential non-food items to 40 affected families in Makwanpur, reaching over 200 individuals. These families have endured over a month without basic items such as bedding and cooking supplies. With winter approaching, the provision of blankets and bed materials is vital for their safety and comfort. Additionally, with the Tihar festival beginning tomorrow, this assistance brings timely relief and hope.

Recognizing that a collective effort is essential in such challenging situations, Peace Himalaya worked with several other associations to maximize reach and impact, even with limited resources. Each family received a set of essential items, including:

• Cooking gas cylinder
• Gas stove and accessories
• Blankets
• Bed mattress and pillows
• Bed sheet

This collaborative effort has allowed us to deliver immediate warmth and relief to the families in Makwanpur. However, the community remains in urgent need of further support to recover fully and prepare for the winter months, as they continue to face the risk of further disasters.

A special acknowledgment goes to some of our Swiss friends, whose generous support enabled this distribution.

On 17 Nov 2024, Peace Himalaya, in coordination with the Shikhapur Community Learning Center and Shikhapur Community School, successfully organized a "Team Building and Leadership" training for Grade 8 and 9 students. The half-day session welcomed 24 enthusiastic participants.

Facilitated by Irene and Rebecca, dedicated trainers from Peace Himalaya-Italy, the session adopted an interactive approach, emphasizing group exercises and fun activities over traditional lecture methods. This engaging format enabled students to explore leadership concepts in an enjoyable and practical way. The session was supported by the Peace Himalaya- Switzerland team.

The newly formed team of peace volunteers will now embark on a series of capacity-building trainings in the coming days, equipping them with additional skills to make a positive impact in their community. This initiative reflects Peace Himalaya's commitment to nurturing confident, capable young leaders who can contribute to a more equitable and peaceful society.