we always decide to go on a picnic with the HCC family as a part of family gathering, enjoyment, refreshment and good family bonding. This time the decision was made suddenly as most of us have our final exams approaching and to manage time and also not to miss anyone during the gathering. Unfortunately we still missed Nari DD as she had to study for her exams. Along with Nari DD many graduates’ brothers and sisters didn’t join us as they were out of the valley [some students are still with extended family outside of Kathmadu to ease the Covid burden]. I was really excited when Uncle Dinesh and Aunty Hira gave us the surprise of going to picnic the next day. We were excited because every year’s picnic has given us the best memories and we were sure that even this year we would make the best memories and capture the best moments. Though it’s risky to gather and go to picnic on this pandemic, Aunty and Uncle had thought of a safe place where we could enjoy and not worry about the pandemic. Even the HCC graduates’ sisters and brothers were there to join us. The venue was decided as Lele, only a two hours drive from Kathmandu.

The next early morning, everyone got up early and got into warm clothes, gathered and then got into the reserved bus.We sang songs, danced and cracked jokes on our way to Lele. We couldn’t stop dancing, singing, talking and making fun of each other. Each and every one of us were enjoying ourselves. The scenery from the bus was good so we took pictures and captured the beauty of nature. We took group photos and videos. It was a fun packed morning.

After two hours on the bus, we reached our destination. We were so thankful because it was the perfect weather for a picnic. On reaching the picnic spot, we enthusiastically explored the alluring beauty and bounties of nature. A view of the beautiful mountain could be seen easily. There was enough space to cook, dance and enjoy. We all helped each other to manage the things, food and the place. We were really hungry since we went there early with an empty stomach . The good thing about reaching early was that we could get more time to enjoy the new place. We ate breakfast and then we had leisure time. In that free time, we separated in groups and then went hiking above the picnic spot. Sadhana, Tashi and many other girls danced continuously ’til their legs hurt. There we played games and captured hundreds of pictures for good flashbacks and memories. The nature walk we took there made us feel free since it had already been so long staying in our house. The day was well spent enjoying, singing and interacting with each other. We didn’t even notice that the time flew away so fast and in a blink of an eye. We made snacks together and enjoyed the delicious food.

At the end of the day, we took some group photos and gathered our stuff. We got ready to head towards our home. This time was more fun than expected. Everyone had a big smile on their face indicating that they had a great fun and marvelous day. The trip was sound and safe as we took the precaution measures. This picnic helped to strengthen the bond between everyone. We really had a great day. This has indeed become one of the best days of my life. 

Thank you for making this possible!!

 Tulsi 

Watch the video Chadani made on YouTube!

Sponsors like you make the all the work we do possible. Donate today to change the life of a child in Nepal. 

The post Tulsi Reports on the Year End Picnic! appeared first on HCC Nepal.

The post The HCC 2019 Annual Report is Here! appeared first on HCC Nepal.

The post Rising Children Issue 6 appeared first on HCC Nepal.

Due to limited internet access in remote villages the students have returned to Khushi Ghar to insure they don’t fall behind in their studies. 

For some of the students, this was their first time spending time with their family. We asked them to reflect on these experiences:

Tashi:

I finished my final exam and I came to Khushi Ghar for my summer vacation and my mom came to Khushi Ghar to take me to my village. I went to Kohlpur where I met every family members and I was really happy and excited. My village Kohlpur lies in the Terai part of the region. It is a very hot place. I had difficulties in accommodating with the weather. It was my first time going out of the Kathmandu valley with my very own family. It took me one and a half-day to reach there. I went to my sister’s place there.

I stayed for about three months in Kohlpur. Every morning I woke up at seven and had my breakfast and then I would study fo

r an hour. I would also help my sister in cooking. At ten o’clock we would have lunch. After lunch, I would do the dishes. Though I had my online classes regularly I only got a chance to join the class for a few days due to lack of internet connection.

I spent three months with my family and I got to know them better. It was my first time that I spent this long time with my family and I got to know and learn about my village and my family struggle in their day to day activities. Despite this, I also had a great time watching movies together, helping them in household chores, and helping in the field. I learned how to cook but yet I am not perfect. At this time I got to know and learn about village life better and also came to know about the difficulties people face in villages.

It was a long vacation for me. therefore, I had a lot of leisure time. So most of the time I slept, chit-chatted with my brothers helped my family in the field, and played indoor games like ludos. Besides, I  often helped my mother in doing the dishes, washing, and cleaning the house. 

Since it was a very long vacation, I missed my friends, brothers, sisters, aunt, and uncle at HCC. So I often used to call HCC and talk to everyone. It felt good to talk to them. Realizing how badly I had missed HCC and also since I was not able to take online classes as there was no internet service at my sister’s place, Dinesh’s (should just be Dinesh)  uncle came to take me. I was filled with happiness that I was finally coming to Khushi Ghar. It took me two days to reach Kathmandu. On the first night, I stayed at Dang as uncle had work there. Then the next day we drove to Kathmandu and I was finally at Khushi Ghar.

I’m very happy to be here again. I have started taking online classes. I shared about my experience in the village with the HCC family.

Rina:

The Novel Coronavirus has been spreading in the whole world like a wildfire. Day by day the number of people dying from this virus has been increasing. So the countries were forced to impose lockdown.

So far, we believe that the only medicine of this virus is maintaining social distance and avoiding social contacts. So I visited my family. We were three of us at home (my mother, younger sister, and me). My two older sisters are already married. We didn’t move out of the house often except in case of emergency cases like buying vegetables and grocery stuff. We avoided social contacts, we did our best to stay at home and we utilized time wisely.

Before visiting my family, I had attended the “Happiness Course” of “Art of Living”. I had learned different ways of breathing techniques that would help me in my health condition, concentration, and overall for succeeding in anything I do. But we had to give our hundred percent to what we would do. So every morning, I would wake up at six and do the various breathing techniques and Surya Namaskar for an hour. Then I would do concentration yoga and study for at least one hour. After this, I would go for tea and help my mom in household works. I would also help my sister in her studies. Besides these, we spent time playing Ludo (I think this is Parcheesi and it might be good to mention it that way)  , watching movies, and chatting with our friends and relatives through social media. We also utilized our time sharing our life experiences. I shared about my life at HCC with my family and they’re very happy for me because I am getting such a beautiful opportunity to build up my career. My mother talked about our past life. I had a very bad childhood story. I was deeply saddened when I heard how difficult it was for my mother to raise four kids. The positive aspect of the story of my underprivileged childhood as I was once again filled with the hope to do something better in the future.

I stayed with my family for about a month. I really enjoyed being with them. I am happy because I got a chance to learn about my history and now I am filled with a strong determination to become a successful person in the future by achieving my goals.

Suman:

After my final term examination of grade 9, I visited my village in Malekhu, Dhading. I went there with my mom. As soon as I went there the government declared a lockdown in the whole country due to coronavirus. I had to stay there for around one and a half months. During this time I learned lots of things. I went to my birthplace and I met with all the family members and got their blessing then I went to visit all the places around my village and the memorable moment was the time when I went to get the berries in the top hill with my friends. I climbed the tree and got almost half of the small bag. Then I got all the barley, millet, and buffalo ghee. Then In the early morning, I returned to Malekhu taking all the berries, millet, barley, and I learned to work with all the traditional technologies. Here in Kathmandu, we used to grind in an electric grinder but in Malekhu I learned to grind in dhiki as well as in janto. I learned to cook all the vegetables, I learned the way of cooking in a traditional cooking stove in which I had to burn the fire by blowing wood which was really tough for me in the beginning. I also grew crops and the learned way to do agriculture. In around half a month I learned lots of things in the village but still, the lockdown was not open so our school decided to start an online class which I joined after a week. There were lots of problems in the network there through which I was not able to join online class properly so I decided to come to Kathmandu during lockdown only. I woke up at sharp 4:00 A: M and came in a truck filled with wheat, around 12 at noon I reached Sukedhara, Khushi Ghar. I then was able to join my online class properly in well mannered. I spend my time playing guitar and singing.

Ambika:

After my pre-board exam, I had one month of holiday for my board examination but suddenly due to the outbreak of the COVID 19, there happened to be a lockdown. Before going to my sister’s home I had attended art of living class. I learned different kinds of breathing techniques. It was very effective and good for our health. It was different from the other way I learned. Then after a few days, I went to my sister’s home. I had taken my books along with me. During the holidays I prepared for my board exam. I used to watch reality shows as well. I love watching it. During the day, I used to read for two hours, and other times I used to do some light exercises. I used to play badminton and along with it, I used to play with my sister’s daughter. Also, I used to help my sister before her exam had been canceled. Apart from this, I had a very good time with my sister. I really enjoyed talking and sharing things with her. She taught me many things. I was more concerned with the things that I had to do in my daily life. This was my first time staying for a long time with my relatives. I learned more about my family relationship and I understood their values. I had learned life skill activities from my aunt in Khushi Ghar so I did not have to worry much about it. I was very happy as I had learned every kind of life skill activity in Khushi ghar after my SEE from my senior members and my aunt. I am very happy to be part of the HCC family. I would like to thank all my members for love, support, and for helping me become a strong and empowered girl.

Donate today to help support our efforts to keep our students safe and healthy!

The post Life in my Village During Lockdown appeared first on HCC Nepal.

Check out previous issues One, Two, Three, and Four.

The post Rising Children Issue 5 appeared first on HCC Nepal.

The post COVID Update from HCC Headquarters appeared first on HCC Nepal.

We asked him about this amazing opportunity.

What was your first reaction when you found out you got the visa and internship approved?

I literally cried when my visa was approved by the French administration. It was a dream come true for me to be in France and the only thing in my life was to learn multiple cuisines and I was prepared for it.

What are you most looking forward to?

I am looking forward to learning about the French gastronomic culture in order to enrich my academic career and optimize my personal skills.

Have you studied any French language?

Yes, I have joined my language institute in Alliance Françoise de Katmandu which promotes the French language by offering French classes that are open to all; it offers its students free access to spread the Francophone culture by organizing cultural events that promote both diversity and intercultural dialogue.

Are you excited to learn French technique in France?

Yes, of course, why not? It is all about the foundation of great chefs who begin with classic French techniques. All I want is to learn for now, so it’s a good opportunity for me to learn and move ahead in my professional career.

What is your favorite thing to cook now?

I am mostly into the Indian and Nepalese cuisine as we are familiar with similar foods. So my first thing was to learn the food of my own country and later get into other multiple cuisines. I love traditional foods.

Is there anything you are particularly looking forward to learning?

Yes, I am looking forward to learning of creation and production of desserts, savory or sweet desserts; also discover French gastronomic culture, strict application of food hygiene and safety standards and the luxury of hotels. Since I have no ideas of French gastronomic culture

Are you going to have any time to travel around France? If so, where are you most excited to see?

If I’ll have my time to travel around France then, my first place of visit would be the Eiffel Tower restaurant for unforgettable French cuisine, dramatic views, old monuments and different Michelin star restaurants of course.

Do you feel like a role model for your fellow HCC students?

Yes, I do. There was a time when I had low grades and now I have improved to my best level. Because of the opportunity that Bruce uncle and Susan aunt gave me was one of the best gifts that I had received in my life and it was a life-changing moment for me. With the change in my behavior, with the studies and what I have been accomplishing in my current life, it makes me feel like the students are learning something from me. “Determination to change and bring change in life, motivating others to move forward and giving back to society is something you can always learn from it. Follow your dreams”, that is all I say to my fellows in HCC.

What will you miss most about Nepal?

The people that love us the most will be missed and the foods that we eat in our daily life, the mountains as I love to trek in the mountain regions mostly.

How did you celebrate?

Well, that wasn’t the time to celebrate for me because there wasn’t the permit in the visa to go to France and the processing for the visa was still going on under Campus France Nepal as it had remained closed for two months. I’ll celebrate it when I receive my visa to go to France with my HCC family indeed.

Help support Ram and all the HCC students by donating today!

The post Ram’s Internship in France appeared first on HCC Nepal.

Harsha graduated high school in the fall and started college to study Hotel Management. 

After I came to Khushi Ghar, my life changed in a good way. I was able to handle my problems myself, and if not me then someone in Khushi Ghar will always be there to help me when I am in need. My life now is better than before. My life has improved a lot because I do all my work myself. Before I used to depend upon others for everything but now I am living an independent life.

Showing the world what you can do is the feeling of success. You should never compare with others; you should always trust in who you are and what you can do.  And do not expect someone to push you for your success; it is you who needs to move ahead. It is not easy to become successful; you should also be able to overcome the challenges. 

My biggest success in my life is that I am able to study what I want to become in future. This is possible because of HCC supporters who are always there during my hardships. Right now, I am having practical classes from my University and I am doing well in my studies.

My goal in life is to become a successful hotel manager. For that, I need to do a lot of hard work in my studies. During my free time, I also have been helping to cook in Khushi Ghar. I love cooking.

Besides studies, I love playing football and basketball. I have received awards from my school as well as inter-school basketball and football (soccer) tournaments. I also got most valuable player. This is also a huge success for me. Since my childhood I loved playing football and wanted to become a player and challenge different teams. I also got selected for the Russia football game. The wish can never be fulfilled if we do not give our efforts and our best. I realized that hard work is the word that you should always remember and work for it.

Thank You!!

Harsha  

Help support Harsha and all the HCC students by donating today!

The post Harsha is Finding His Path appeared first on HCC Nepal.

Mun Maya and Laxmi traveled to Dhading to deliver backpacks with supplies and warm track suits for the children supported by HCC.

They meet with each student individually to insure they are keeping up with their studies.

Many of the students have some surviving family, but without support they wouldn’t be able to stay in school. Children in remote districts, like Dhading, are especially vulnerable to early marriage and human trafficking. 

Your support makes this work possible! Donate today to help us continue to provide education and bright futures for these students!

The post First Dhading Trip of the Year appeared first on HCC Nepal.

For me, success is achieving the target set by yourself and gaining it through your hard work and dedication (which also includes the life skills training that I got to learn at Khushi Ghar). Success is also being able to make people around you proud with all your achievements.

I feel successful being able to complete my responsibilities as a senior sister to all junior brother and sisters at Khushi Ghar. I also feel successful being able to live a life at a different area of the country, far from the capital city on my own and completing my university degree. 

I was very scared when I had no choice but to travel to Bhairahawa to complete my further studies. I had a very hard time adjusting to the new environment which was very different from the kind of life I had in Kathmandu. I finally got used to the way and started enjoying my life there. I take this as the biggest achievement in my life. And now, I have completed my studies and have planned to work in hospital. This is all possible because of HCC family. If it had not been the HCC family, I would not be this successful as I am today.

Thank you so much!!

Saraswati 

To sponsor a student like Saraswati and be an integral part of their success, donate today.

The post What Success Means to Saraswati appeared first on HCC Nepal.