Peak Students spread out around Kathmandu Valley in December to volunteer their time to help others. The students get to choose their organizations, so the projects were as different as our kids!

Angela, Manika, Pushpa and DIpa help orphaned children enjoy Christmas at the Twin Otters boys home. The girls wereable to help the boys with their homework, brought gifts, santa hats, cakes and games and spent the day spreading cheer.

“I was thrilled to have spent my time with the children. Seeing them smile from ear to ears after we entered the gate made my heart happy.  We cut the cake by singing Christmas carols. It was heartbreaking when we offered to cut the cake and they said that they don’t know how to. This made me realize how lucky we really are.  After doing a couple of activities, we gave them chocolates, noodles and juices as a Christmas gift. They were really happy to get the gifts. At the end we had to return. We could see the sad eyes bidding us goodbyes. We had a blast day with them. It was worth the day to remember. We were really happy to be part of their smiles even if it was for a day.” – Manika

Bina, Saraswati, Siwani and Chadani opted to spend a sunny morning cleaning up a strech of road near the girls annex. 

“As we worked, we chatted with each other and with passing pedestrians and drivers, who thanked us for our efforts. It was a great feeling to know that we were making a positive impact on our community, even in a small way.

As the morning went on, we made our way down the road, filling up more and more bags with trash. It was hard work, but it was also rewarding to see the difference we were making.

By the end of the morning, we had collected dozens of bags of trash and had cleaned up a significant stretch of road. It was a great sense of accomplishment and responsibility to be able to contribute to the well-being of our community in this way.” – Chadani

The students from the boys annex also participated in a neighborhood clean up! 

“People on the street thanked us for our efforts. It made us feel good that we could help. Throughout the day, we kept filling up more and more bags. It was satisfying to see the difference we were making. When we were through, we had gathered more than three bags of rubbish and cleaned up a sizable area of the road. The satisfaction of being able to help our community was wonderful. Overall, helping with my friends was a positive experience. I intend to repeat it and inspire others to participate.” – Harsha

Ambika opted for a volunteer opportunity in her field of veterinary medicine!

“I go every Sunday there and do some bandaging and treatment for the cats and dogs at Kat Center Nepal. I observe things done by doctors and vet nurses. I  also prepared some medicine required for the operation.  I feel really good at that place. The love and care for animals has grown much deeper. The place I volunteer is now a second home and a good place to learn for me. I am learning very good things along with the service I am doing for the animals. The importance of animals in our life is a must to understand us and to give love, care and support to them.” – Ambika

If you want to support our students in their efforts to elevate their world, donate today!

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For me, Gratitude is the magical word that all the students use. Appreciating people and giving positive responses to people is gratitude. I am a person who is satisfied with little things. I am very grateful for life how it is today. I had never thought that I would be this lucky and happy to be a member of HCC family. Comparing my past life with my present, there is a vast difference. I have seen myself become a smart and proactive person.

I have no idea how my life would be if I was not supported by HCC. HCC has helped me with everything I need in my life. Being a part of HCC, I have learned various life skills which will help me have a better future. I have also been involved in various volunteering activities, visiting an old age home and many more. I feel very proud and thankful to help old people when they need me. In my free time, I go to volunteer in an orphanage for about five hours a day. For me, helping people like me is like giving back to the society. I feel that I am a role model for them. Who I am today is all because of HCC supporters and well wishers. I am thankful to those who have always been appreciating me for who I am. 

Being grateful is never a small thing instead it was always in my mind. The habit of being thankful begins with appreciating every good thing in life and also recognizing that there is nothing too small for you to be thankful.

My life would have been very different if I had been in some other place. The education that I have now would not be possible at all. My goal would be different from now. Right now, I am studying Chartered Accountancy and have been doing lots of hard work in it. I feel very grateful that I have got a golden chance to study and become who I want to become in future. HCC has always given me such a wonderful platform where I can share my happiness and sorrows with all my family. They are always ready to help me when I am in trouble or hardships. 

So, I am very grateful for all the things that I have with me. I appreciate everything in life.

Thank you for everything.

Sankar 

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For me, Gratitude is appreciating and being thankful and returning the kindness. Gratitude can transform life by strengthening and enhancing faith and relationships. Gratitude can also help me block negative emotions and bring positive vibes.

Before, I used to be ungrateful for what I had and I never actually realized the importance of gratitude. Finally, my life had a gradual change.

I was supported by HCC at a very young age. At that time, I understood what life meant to me. I had so much to learn from my brothers and sisters at HCC. HCC changed my life because it has turned me into a strong and capable person.  I have learnt many life skills and has got a chance to explore the various skilled development programs like menstrual hygiene, cleaning campaign and rallies and many more. It has already been 4 months that I have been volunteering at the Nepal Association of Blind (NAB). I go there and dictate them with their courses. Getting involved in this type of voluntarily work makes me feel proud of myself that I am able to give back to those in need. Quite literally, what I realized over time was that gratitude transformed my life by bringing out the positivity. Being thankful and appreciating what you have rather than what you don’t have makes you happier about life. The things that I have been very grateful are as follows:

HCC has always been the light to my darkness 

HCC family being there for me during hardships

I feel blessed and thankful to have a good life

I am thankful for being a member of this project

I am grateful for being able to share my happiness and sorrows with HCC family. Gratitude is the pathway to both success and happiness. My words  just cannot describe how grateful I am towards everyone. Thank you for everything!!

Lots of love,

Sonu 

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From Left to Right: Pushpa, Harsha and Bina on their first day as volunteers with Orchid Garden Nepal

One of the cornerstones of HCC’s “Leaders Training Leaders” educational philosophy is the importance of giving back to the community. HCC students have always thrived on the notion of using their skills, talents, and hearts to transform the lives of those in need. After appearing for their Secondary Education Examination (SEE), students Harsha, Pushpa, and Bina are continuing the HCC practice of giving back to the community by performing volunteer work with Orchid Garden Nepal.

Bina helping in the classroom at Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden Nepal is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization that seeks to provide and protect the rights, welfare, and health of disadvantaged and discriminated children in Nepal. Orchid Garden serves vulnerable and neglected children aged 6 months to 9 years old by providing services as a daycare, early education center, and day hostel.

Pushpa helping in the classroom at Orchid Garden

For the next three months, Harsha, Pushpa, and Bina will be volunteering in Orchid Garden classrooms for two hours a day, assisting teachers and helping Orchid Garden students with their studies. Harsha, Pushpa, and Bina will have the opportunity to learn about working in a classroom setting and have networking and work experience within a local nonprofit organization. They will not only gain confidence but also essential leadership skills, complementing their own ongoing education. “I am thankful to get this opportunity to volunteer right after school,” noted Harsha on the benefits of this experience.

Once a month, and in coordination with Orchid Garden Nepal, Hira, HCC Director of Hostel Services and Student Coordinator for HCC, will be monitoring the work and progress of Harsha, Pushpa, and Bina. The school management was thrilled to have our three students volunteering, and hope that they will continue to work with Orchid Garden in the future. Through their hard work and dedication, Harsha, Pushpa and Bina exemplify the goals of HCC to educate a generation of compassionate and intelligent community leaders.

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