Posted by on October 14, 2014

IN ASSOCIATION WITH RSF SOCIAL FINANCE

Dear Friends,

This News Letter has been prepared to get all the stakeholders of Tashi Waldorf School including the sponsors acquainted with the activities taken place in the school during the year 2013.

The school session 2013 ended successfully on the 28th of March 2014. Constituent assembly elections were held on November 19, 2013 for the second as the first Constituent Assembly failed to reach consensus on many issues to prepare the constitution of Nepal. All are optimistic of having a new constitution of Nepal in the next year.

Many interesting incidents took place in Tashi Waldorf School. Apart from usual celebration of festivals the following are some the extra activities that the students have carried out.

Safety Tank Construction:

In order to develop a habit of helping yourself, the children were encouraged to give their hands in the construction of safety tank in the school premises. They were instructed to help the mason by carrying bricks, concrete and sand. They even assisted in laying the bricks. Since this activity was different from the normal activities they do in the school, the students were really enthusiastic and willing to help. They not only learnt about how to construct safety tank but became aware of working in a group. This kind of exercise helps them in developing helping attitude in their life.

Dashain:

the greatest Hindus festival celebrated in the month of October is something that all the Nepalese especially the Hindus wait for. This festival is celebrated to signify the victory of bad over evil. At Tashi Waldorf School also the children celebrated this popular festival.  The children got “tika”, “jamara” and blessing from the teachers. They had wonderful time playing, singing , dancing and flying kites which they made by themselves as a part of handwork.

Tihar:

This is the second biggest festival of the Hindus. It is also called the festival of light. Goddess of wealth “Laxmi” is worshiped during the festival. People try to make the goddess happy so that she may bestow her blessings on them throughout the year. In TWS also students celebrated this festival by worshipping the goddess and playing ‘deusi” (like Christmas carol). The students made a colorful ‘Mandap” (a place for worshipping and welcoming the goddess). They enjoyed very much in helping each other to make the same.

The children learned how to grind rice and make rice-flour for cooking traditional “Selroti” that is especially cooked during this festival.

Marionette Puppet Show:

At the end of school session 2013, the teachers from kindergarten performed a show called Marionette Puppet Show for all the children and the parents as well. The original story is from Ukraine but it has been adapted in Nepali. The story reveals the fact how the old aged people without anyone to look after them has been depicted in the story. The pleasant side of the story is that the old couple was able to find the solution miraculously. They decided one day to be happy with the fake baby made of twigs by putting it on the cradle and rocking the cradle. They pretended to have made the twig-baby sleep in the evening. They were pleasantly surprised to see the baby alive on the next morning. The play was liked and appreciated by all who witnessed it.

Experience of upgrading Class Four:

In a bid to fulfill the goal as laid down in the Strategic Plan, 3.6 to expand to a Full Primary School, we decided to upgrade to Class Four. It was a nervous moment for all of us at TWS to upgrade to Class Four. Mrs. Nima Leki Sherpa, one of our teachers was given the overall responsibility of running the class. She eventually has done a marvelous job. She built up her confidence from the cooperation of the students, staff and well prepared lessons. The lessons (Norse mythology, fraction, local geography, Man and animals etc.) already taught by her, have a great positive impact  on students’ drawing, painting, writing and most importantly comprehending the lessons. It is great learning for all of us. We used ‘chapati’ (round bread made of flour usually served to the children during Fridays) to introduce “Fraction” to the class. It was very easy for the students to learn fraction. To deal with the subject “Man and Animal” children were made to recall fables they learnt in previous grades as there is interconnection. Similarly, Shirish Pahari, our non-teaching staff supported in woodwork and craftwork greatly. The children have built a model of our school building. In the process the students came to know about the interlinks among the woodwork, measurement and local geography.

It gave us immense pleasure and feeling of success to see the positive transition among the students. They have changed and one can see the difference in their performance and activities. According to Mr. Nima it was possible only because of the team work that we foster in TWS. The Waldorf Education is the essence of modern world. It teaches not only to be independent but also being a good human being.

Cleaning Campaign:

The school organized school cleaning campaigns to be carried out by the students to create awareness in them about hygiene and sanitation. They cleaned the school premises with the help of the teachers. The students were more than happy to work in group. This sort of activity certainly helps the students to form good and healthy habits.

They realized the value of working together and helping each other.

Success Story:

Gautam Lopchan is one of the graduates of the First Batch that Tashi Waldorf School produced. He passed his +2 (10+2) from Darjeeling, India with a good grade and is preparing at the moment for pursuing higher studies either aboard or in Nepal. He shares his memory with us:

I am happy to have spent my childhood at Tashi Waldorf School and being the first batch to graduate. Down the memory lane I can recall having fun with friends and enjoyed participating in the “Ramayana” (the most popular Hindu epic) in the lead role of Ram. I can still remember planting, weeding and harvesting rice ourselves. We used to be sad when our class teacher (Mrs. Nima Sherpa) got sick. Spending almost six years at Tashi Waldorf School, I can say this is the best place not only to learn new things but to enjoy life as well.

According to my experience this school is an excellent place for child to learn and grow. The teachers are very helpful and treat the children with care and love like their own children. I am happy to see a few old teachers and didis (Sisters who cook food). I used to like foods served here in school more that what was cooked at home. Finally, I would like to thank the teachers, didis and staff who took a good care of us and made us good students.

Thanks and appreciation:

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our child and land sponsor community. We all at Tashi Waldorf School, Kathmandu, Nepal appreciate and are very grateful for your continued support without which the school would have reached the present stage. We also thank many generous donors and volunteers and all the visitors for their kind and useful cooperation.

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You Can Help

Sponsor a Class

Being a "class godparent" means you stay in regular contact with an entire class of students and can accompany them in their development. Moreover, you may gain interesting and diverse insights about the children’s lives or the peculiarities of education in Nepal. But, most importantly, you may plant an important seed of friendship into the hearts of students and teachers who are living and working under difficult circumstances. Through the Class Sponsorship program, the journey of education for underprivileged children has become a reality.

The Sponsorship program functions as an integral part of an educational voucher system. Your donation benefits all the children in need whose parents cannot afford the full fees, fostering a sense of wholeness and inclusion. Your generous gift will go towards the costs of food, health services, clothing, materials, books and school buses for the children. We encourage you to donate any amount you choose in a way most suitable for you, either one-off or more regularly. To demonstrate our gratitude we send our sponsors an introductory package with children’s stories and artwork.

If you would like to learn more, some of the profiles the children attending TWS can be found on the Stories page.

Please contact either of the below charities to set up your chosen sponsorship program.

Freunde der Erziehungskunst Rudolf Steiner e.V.
Weinmeisterstrasse 16
Berlin, D-10178, Germany
Tel: 030 61 70 26 30
Email: berlin[at]freunde-waldorf.de / f.michel[at]freunde-waldorf.de
Website: www.freunde-waldorf.de/en/donate-help/help-a-child-go-to-school.html
For German Sponsors only: PDF

Patenschaftsverwaltung/Sponsorship Program
Christstrasse 9
Bochum, D-44789, Germany
Tel: 0234-5797-5257
Email: astrid.blei[at]gls-treuhand.de
Website: www.entwicklungshilfe3.de

Sponsor the purchase of New School Land

On April 25th 2014 an earthquake, marked 7.2 on the Richter scale, devastated Nepal. Many buildings collapsed or were damaged beyond repair. Many of the our students lost their homes and now live in tents at temporary camps. The foundations of Tashi Waldorf School were largely affected and the building has been deemed unsafe. In response, the school management have brought forward their long term plan to move the school to a tranquil and calm piece land on the greener outskirts of Kathmandu. However, without enough funds to invest in a new location, the children and teachers have no option but to continue lessons in their condemned building until the funds are raised.

If you would like to contribute to a fresh start in a safer location for Tashi Waldorf School we suggest a €20 donation, but any amount will be gratefully received. Also, referrals to foundations who would be interested in helping would be greatly appreciated. Please donate by selecting the 'Children of Nepal' option at http://rsfsocialfinance.org/donate-now/

Sponsor the supply of Waldorf Educational Materials

The quality and substance of Waldorf educational materials is key to developing the child’s visual creativity and touch perception. However, these materials are not available in Nepal and the school does not have the financial resources to order them from abroad. We need support funding the following materials:

• Waldorf Art Supplies, such as water colour paints, coloured chalk for blackboard drawings, wooden coloured pencils, Beeswax crayons and modelling wax
• Waldorf Educational Resources, such as children's stories, verse and poem books and resources on early childhood and primary education

Please donate by selecting the 'Children of Nepal' option at http://rsfsocialfinance.org/donate-now/

Support the School by volunteering to sell Nepali Handicrafts

As a means to provide self-sustaining funding for the school, a business has been started selling bulk orders of Nepali handicrafts. If you are interested in volunteering your time to sell these products in your neighbourhood or to businesses in your country we can provide you with samples, a colour chart and a price list. Please email tashiwaldorf[at]gmail.com for details.

Support the School by Holding a Fundraising Event

If your community or school is able to hold a fundraising event in support of the school, we would be very grateful. Please contact us so that we can provide you with more information and photos. Previous fundraising events include: a band festival; a mountain hike; a raffle; a concert.

Getting the Word out about us

You can help by publishing our newsletter or an article in your school, organization or community newsletters. If you would like to publish an article about the school please forward it to us for review before publishing so we can verify the accuracy of the facts and send you photos. We are also in need of someone who could volunteer to work on a short documentary of the school. Sign up to our mailing list to receive our newsletter or ‘like’ and ‘share’ our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/waldorftashischool

Please let us know if you send us a donation so we can confirm that it was received and send you a letter of gratitude. You can send any general donations to one of the associations listed below:

RSF Social Finance
1002A O'Reilly Avenue
San Francisco,
CA 94129-1101 USA
Tel: 415.561.3900, 1.888.RSF.3737
Email: mail[at]rsfsocialfinance.org
Please write in the memo portion of the cheque: "Children of Nepal" or donate online via www.rsfsocialfinance.org/donate-now/

Freunde der Erziehungskunst Rudolf Steiner e.V.
Weinmeisterstrasse 16
Berlin, D-10178, Germany
Tel: 030 61 70 26 30
Email: berlin[at]freunde-waldorf.de
Please write in the memo portion of the cheque: "Children of Nepal – Project # 4405"

Internationaal Hulpfonds
Herengracht 276
1016BX, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
Tel: 020- 6274856
Email: info[at]internationaalhulpfonds.nl
Please write in the memo portion of the cheque: "Children of Nepal"

Patenschaftsverwaltung/Sponsorship Program
Christstrasse 9
Bochum, D-44789, Germany
Tel: 0234-5797-5257
Email: astrid.blei[at]gls-treuhand.de
Website: www.entwicklungshilfe3.de
Please email for donation details

Prometheus Ethical Finance
P.O. Box 969
Napier, NEW ZEALAND
Telephone 06.835.7138
Fax 06-8351628
Email: ethical[at]prometheus.co.nz
Please write "Children of Nepal - Account#4144" in the memo. Contributors must attach a note to their donation indicating that it is for Children of Nepal.