These are extracted from TFN newsletter
We are really thrilled to share that two of our students
(taught by Teach For Nepal Fellows) have received full scholarships to pursue
international high school education at United World Colleges (UWC), an
international network for high schools. This year UWC Nepal committee had 4
full scholarships available to them. Three of them were open for competition
among Nepalese students who had completed grade 10 (passed SLC) this year. Of
the three spots, we are really excited to share that 2 spots went to most deserving
girls taught by Teach For Nepal fellows.
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| Anita Tamang |
Anita Tamang, originally from Nuwakot, lost her mother when
she was in grade six. After about a year, her father remarried. At that point,
she says, "My father began to appear indifferent to me." He also
started using drugs. It became really difficult to live there and "I ran
away from home," says Anita. She came to her aunt (sanima) in Kathmandu.
Her aunt worked at other people's house for living. She found Anita work as
domestic helper. Anita began working as well as going to Siddhi Mangal
Secondary School, a local public school. It was very difficult to go to school
and work but her aunt supported throughout.
After taking the SLC examinations, "I went to my
cousin's place and was working in a mask factory." After earthquake, it
was difficult to live in the city. She says, "I went in my village after
earthquake. My village is also totally damaged by earthquake. I stayed there
about 1 month and helped the villagers from my side."
When results of the SLC were announced in July, she
had graduated top of her class with with 74% but had no means to continue
further education.
"Rojee miss (Teach For Nepal Fellow) encouraged me to
apply to Samaanta Foundation, an organization that selects talented SLC
graduates of public schools and provides scholarships to pursue high school.
She got selected and was studying in grade 11 when opportunity to apply to UWC
came along. She applied.
She recently learnt that she has been selected to pursuing
international high school degree at UWC India.
On learning about the scholarship she says, "I had ever
imagined such opportunities would open for me. I am here because of my struggle
and the support I receive from my aunt's family and my Rojee mam."
(TFN Fellows Rojee Maharjan and Sagendra Shrestha teach at
Siddhimanage Seconday School)
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| Juni Deshar |
Born as a third child in a low income family with very
limited land among farmers' community in Chapagaun, Lalitpur - Juni was a
bright child.
Her mother had no education. Father had left school after
grade 3 to start working as helper and later a driver. When it became really
challenging to support the family, like most young men, he also left for middle
east to earn living and provide for family. But had recently returned back to
Nepal when health challenges prevented him to continue working there.
Juni was sent to local Jyotidaya Cooperative School (a local
non-governmental, non-profit community school) from nursery where she completed
secondary school this year with distinction in the SLC.
When the opportunity to apply for UWC scholarship came along
and supported and mentored by Teach For Nepal Fellows (Bhawana Shrestha and
Seetu Shakya, who are teaching in the school for the third year), she gathered
all the courage and sent in application.
After multiple rounds of interviews, she was selected and
will pursue high school in UWC - Germany.
Juni is the second student in the last three years from
Jyotidaya to be awarded UWC scholarships.
*****
In Spite of all the hardships and challenges, these achievements re-affirm our
belief that an inspiration role models as a teachers can fundamentally
transform the lives of children, open new opportunities and possibilities for
the kids regardless of their place origin or circumstances of their life.
