Cultural Heritage: Not just our pride but our responsibility

http://ethingstodoin.com/things-to-do-in-kathmandu-nepal/

    The other day,Mr. Manish Shrestha( a young activist) shared his experience in our classroom of Bachelors Second Year . Where he said in Basantpur he asked a tourist not to smoke as it was a smoking prohibited area but instead of following the rule he just pointed his finger towards a Nepali person who was smoking too. Nepal has beautiful places which are enlisted as world heritage sites and we are too proud to be citizen of such country but we merely take care of it. To explain heritage are simply the places, things, events that are older than 100years and were used/in practice by our ancestors.

    Today some people try the encroachment of such heritage sites illegally. But it is not just them who are guilty of the carelessness, young people who go on dates or just to visit the place use the place in wrong way. They sit in such places, use heritage sites wall to write their names and other mischievous activities. This kind of activities not just ruins our heritage but also give wrong impression of our country towards foreigners. Therefore, before acting careless and indifferent in heritage sites please remember how would you feel if someone throws all the plastics and trashes in your home, if someone scribble all over your wall, if someone do morally unacceptable activities in front of your house? Not good isn’t it? Rather you would feel horrible, you would be so mad at them, so think of heritage sites as your own house. And if everyone of us can do that even our future generations can see what our ancestors have left behind.

(Pratikshya Poudel, AAEE Nepal)

Support Nepal!

<Sharad Sharma is one of the core AAEE members in Nepal.>

A lot of my friends have been asking how they could channel their funds to assist Nepal. Though I am skeptical of direct monetary aid, the people doing their part in Nepal privately are simply not adept enough to continue relief work on their own pay.
This fund is established by a friend of mine who recently agreed to assist us in our mobile medical camp. Our team collected enough resources for a couple of days, but are fast running out of it.
So, if you were interested in helping out (monetarily) to me in the past few days - there were many who were - this is one way you could assist. Once again, I would like to say, I CANNOT FULLY ACCOUNT FOR IT - not now at least. You just have to trust me with the work that we're doing. It is a plea only to the friends who are willing to trust me. I will work in a structured way soon with full accountabilty once ESDRAA (the organization where I work) comes together.
There are a lot of international organizations who are collecting funds at a large scale and probably distributing at such a scale too. We are small scale. We don't seek big, we don't promise big. We are not even organized enough to have a proper channel to get your donations. We are just working hard to find a way to help the many people in need - RIGHT NOW. It is a generous assistance of my friend Chewan and Youth Thinkers' Society that they provided us with this alternative.
Sincerely,
Sharad Sharma

Soft skills - the forgetful skills in school

Vietnam-Japan Youth Exchange 2014

     In Vietnam, most of the high school students have to focus on studying. They have to try their best to pass the entrance exam to enter the university. Most of them have no time for extra activities which might help them to improve their skills. Even some high schools don’t celebrate any extra activities for students. It will make student’s soft skills worse. That was also one of my problems when I was in high school. I still remember that the first time when I had to work in group while studying at university, I didn’t know how to work, how to communicate and how to give my ideas to other members. I didn’t know anything and because of that I was kicked out of my group.
     I knew if I kept continuing like that, I wouldn’t study well at university. I realized that I had to change myself. I started to spent more time on extra activities in university such as organizing events, tour guiding for foreign students when they came to my university, working with Japanese students in VJYE (Vietnam-Japan Youth Exchange 2014, organized by Asia Association of Education and Exchange) exchange program and so on. Until now, my soft skills have improved for better. It makes me feel confident. Anyway, what I mean is not only the technical skills are important, but soft skills are also equally important. You should spend your time on improving both skills. I hope my article will help you a little. 
    Thanks for reading.
                                                                                                  Nam Hoàng (AAEE, Vietnam)

PRAY FOR NEPAL 2

PRAY FOR NEPAL 2

   As you all know, Japan was hit by a severe earthquake in 2011. At that time, thousands of people from all over the world supported us and encouraged us. Thanks to the cooperation of those kind people, we got through the difficult time.
   It’s our now turn to try our best to support people who are in trouble. We want to send our love and prayers for people who has experienced the strong earthquakes in Nepal and surrounding countries since yesterday. Let’s overcome the disaster together! Remember we are on your side. Never give!
(People from 12 countries in the Asian region have been supporting our PRAY FOR NEPAL project)

PRAY FOR NEPAL!

   A powerful M7.8 earthquake hit Nepal yesterday, and so many people there including our friends has been injured or lost their lives. We were terribly shocked to hear the news, and we thought what we could do now is to send our deepest sympathy and prayers to Nepal as soon as possible. 

We have already received photos to offer prayers for Nepal from so many people in 12 countries and areas in Asia, including Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mongolia,Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, and Bangladesh.

Never give up, Nepal. We are all thinking about you and praying for you.

Trip to Khotang and YouMe School in Nepal

    Recently I visited Khotang, my birthplace, along with my friend Rupa Ratala and 4 Japanese volunteers - Sohei san, Sakura san, Yuriko san and Kaira san for 5 days. The main aim of our trip was the Opening Ceremony of YouMe Boarding School in which I and Rupa were the MC of the program. This school is the first project of NPO, YouMe Nepal where I have been volunteering since last year.
    The volunteers were visiting Khotang for the first time and they felt very happy, excited and honored at the same time, with the hospitality of the local people. They got to interact with the Nepalese people and also got an opportunity to learn and experience the Nepali culture. They enjoyed the cultural dance of Rai community which is called Chandi Dance. The volunteer’s main purpose to visit Khotang was to interact with the students of YouMe School and encourage them in various activities. So, they had brought gifts, sweets and playing games including calligraphy, kites and origami for the students who were eagerly waiting to welcome them. As the students were keenly interested to learn new things, they got highly inspired by the volunteers and sang a Japanese song and also performed cultural dance during the inauguration. They also actively worked together with us to make the program successful.
    It is absolutely true that Khotang district lacks most of the facilities including local transportation, quality education, proper health services and even water resources. But, despite all these, the volunteers enjoyed the overall trip and also visited the most famous Hindus temple- Haleshi Mahadevsthan and took unforgettable memories capturing them through their cameras.
This visit was a completely different from all the visits I had made so far, because this time I was there with a kind of responsibility on me. I had to take care of everything including the program and the volunteers’ over there. So, the trip was a new experience for me where I learned to become more responsible, more punctual and happier. And after the completion of the Opening Ceremony of YouMe School with the grand success, we came back to Kathmandu with the promise to make trip to Khotang and visit YouMe School again.

Dushan Rai

(YouMe Nepal, Trust)

Being a Teacher...

<Nepal>

Students getting failed in their exams are not always their fault. Yes, it can be because they are careless, weak or pay less attention to what they are studying for but it has other severe vital reasons as well. Like one of the reasons can be the teacher himself/herself. Unfortunately in my country Nepal, many teachers in most of the schools are not trained enough or not trained at all. So this is where the students get the trouble. Is it the teachers’ fault or the students’ if they don’t understand anything about the topic they are studying about?

Simply speaking, many of the teachers in my country accuse it’s the students fault. But in most of the cases, I think, it will cover the teachers’ mistakes too. A teacher plays a very vital role in the classroom. In a classroom, mainly in government schools of Nepal, there are hundreds of students or even more than that. And he/she has to deal and interact with many kinds of students in the classroom, but not all of them will get enough attention from him/her. This can be agonizing for the teacher especially when there are many students in a classroom but it is his/her responsibility to have them in control and teach them the way they can understand. And only good teachers can do that. The teachers should be helping students to learn everything moreover in their practical ways rather than teaching them by writing long novels of theories. 

If we talk about the modern students, they are mostly less interested in their studies and active in other activities like sports and modern technologies. But this is time and it has changed everything at the moment. So the schools should start new modern ways of teaching the students, like it can the new equipment and new system of teaching them. If the students can’t afford to learn in the class, maybe we should teach them the way they can learn. And every teacher must understand this and help make a change in the education field.

<Pushpa Gurung, AAEE Nepal>

I HAVE A DREAM

I HAVE A DREAM

Dushan Rai (YouMe Nepal Trust)

Prof. Akinori Seki, AAEE President  and me. 

    I was born in a remote village of eastern Nepal near Everest where the number of high-school graduates could be counted in fingers. “Buffalo-rearing” was the only dream occupation people had in their mind during childhood. I was not isolated from them, but always having grown up with a passion for learning, I simply loved to live in a learning environment. Ever since I was able to read and write, academic study has been one of my favorites.
    Even though I am born in a country where opportunities are extremely limited and prospects of development look slim, yet I have little regrets about this reality. No question, my country is poor and therefore, I am a bit handicap by birth if I compare myself to the pupils from developed world. And I used to be sad about it; however, it seems like all is behind me now. Globalization has brought enormous opportunities in the world including me, where I believe, discerning the world in a better light needs a critical mind which does not fear to question and doubt existing facts and figures. Therefore, I am eagerly looking forward to starting my new student life in one of the finest universities in Japan. And, to get experience and to build up my confidence level, I have been volunteering in the NPO, YouMe Nepal Trust, which I believe, will greatly help me to stand as a competitive candidate.
      I believe that, learning does not stop within the four walls of classrooms. Rather I believe that learning is a lifelong continuous process which can only stop when life itself ceases to exist. In addition to this, I have a dream of working in one of the International Organizations like UN and World Bank in the future. Perhaps, a blend of my passion for learning and working in such International Organization will be beautiful and meaningful. The reason I want to work in International Organization is precisely because I am a part of that society which is marred by poverty and illiteracy. It is only out of my selfless wish to serve them by helping them come out of these unfortunate traps that I can claim myself to be a real human being. We can change it if everyone, including myself puts some efforts in doing away these ironies, certainly our world would be a better place to live in. And now, I am searching a gateway to my dream.

Let it be…

Let it be…

The song I hear every other day by Beatles. I didn't used to listen too much of this song. But when my friend suggested me I kind of became addicted to this song. Not because of anything else but because of the fact how well it motivates us not to worry about things we can’t get hold of. And frankly we often do that, we worry in things that we cannot have any control but instead of investing our energy in something fruitful we often cry over and think too much about what wrong we did. The song is light to your soul yet allows you to be happy and worry less. This is my favorite song to listen especially when I am demotivated what about you ?
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1390vi_let-it-be-the-beatles_music

(Pratikshya Poudel, AAEE Nepal)

http://debutant-guitare.fr/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/beatles-let-it-be-it-11101.jpg

STUDY AT UNIVERSITY – IMPORTANT OR NOT?

   In Vietnam, most people think studying at universities is the shortest path to success. So, most of the parents try to direct their children on that path. The children must try their best to pass the severe entrance exams to enter at least one university. If they pass, everything is OK. But if not, many students choose the path of committing suicide. Many such sad stories have happened before. 
   Similarly, after graduating from universities, most students cannot find the job which is suitable with their major. On the other hand, some students don’t study at universities but they become successful with their own way. For example: Recently, many students have stopped studying at universities and have set up their own business because they want to challenge themselves with new things. And some of them try to become successful with their own other choices.
   In general, what I mean is studying or not studying at university is not important. The most important thing is the way you learn new things and deal with challenges in your life. If you cannot enter the university you like, just find the new path to go. I hope the article will inspire you a little.

(Nam Trần Hoàng, AAEE Vietnam)

http://mmchula.acc.chula.ac.th/upload/file/image/homeslide/classroom.jpg

“Change is the only constant thing in the world”

<Nepal>

     “Change is the only constant thing in the world”, it is often one of the proverb that is often heard of. In many ways it is more that true. We can see the rivers yesterday changing into dryland in the future and see the high mountain peaks diminishing in their height every day. Well these are the changes in regard to Mother Nature and hardly any of us can challenge her and in attempt of doing so humans have lost their lives too but what about the changes that we crave for?
      I saw one image in facebook that shows, when asked who wants change? Everyone raises their hands up in the sky but when asked who wants to change? Everyone was only bowing their head. When walk at the streets of Kathmandu(capital city of Nepal) see a pile of trash being thrown at the side of street we cover our nose and blame government for not picking up the trash but we forget that it was one of us who put the first plastic of trash at the side of a road. It is not always the government who should take the responsibility of.

http://nepalitimes.com/cms/ib/data/1/49/12451.jpg

     Many of us might still remember how the capital was beautified for 18th SAARC(South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) summit. But after that, everytime the metropolitan officers had to supervise and punish people who plucked the flower, who walk from the side of those plants instead of using the pavements. In such case, we have no right to blame government because we are not doing our duty properly as a citizen. Even today when I was coming from my college to home I saw people plucking the leaves and I had to discuss to them. But everyone cannot shout at you every single time. Self-consciousness is as important as the availability of rights. This is the instance of my country, I am sure may be not exactly in the same way but your country too might have some issues for which not the government but citizens should be responsible of. Lastly, I would like to request all not just to ask for change but to be the part of change rather be the change !

(Pratikshya Poudel, AAEE Nepal)

Bandh (Strike) in Nepal

Bandh (Strike) in Nepal

     If there’s one thing Nepal being famous for, I guess it has to be the frequent annoying political event normally known as Bandh (Strike) in Nepali. The political instability has been one of the major reasons for causing internal dispute in our country. And it has affected in severe aspects of the nation including the educational facts of the students.

     Here, the children are deprived of their right to education. Being the future builders of the nation, instead of providing them a suitable environment for education, a harsh disturbance is created in their education by these frequent strikes. Moreover the students are given stones, sticks and pamphlets for making the strikes successful. Many of those students are even beaten or happen to get into accidents by those political againsters. It indeed is very disgraceful situation in Nepal. Being one of the poorest countries in South Asia, many people have to fight for hunger during these Bandh days. And also the economic ranges of the country go down on a high rate because of these striking days.

    Despite all these consequences, the political issues never seem to improve here. But it is one of the significant cases that needs to be deeply considered and must be solved.
 (Pushpa Gurung, AAEE, Nepal)

http://s116.photobucket.com/user/bittertruthnavin/media/TechToon/bandha.jpg.html

The night market near National University Campus in Ho Chi Minh city

The night market is very familar to all student who study in National Universites. This market is considered as the paradise for shopping, relaxing  by most students. Variety of things are sold there with the suitable price for students. Most things are handmade products made by students. Many shops here belong to students. They make and sell their product to earn money.

This is not only the place for shopping, but also for relaxing with friends. Many students choose there as a place to relax after hard studying.

The night market has become an unforgettable  memory in most student’s life.

by Nam Trần Hoàng (AAEE, Vietnam)

Let Girls Learn (by Pushpa Gurung, AAEE, Nepal)

     How many of you think educating a girl is a wrong thing to do? Nobody can even imagine how disappointed I was when I happened to meet a 9 years old girl from Sarangkot, Nepal without getting to go to School. Restricting girls from going to schools still exists in Nepal and many places around the world, too.

     This is 21st century and the world is marching on the path of development every day. Every second counts here. But the matter of dismay is that, half of the population of the world is still under the line of illiteracy. In fact, most of them are women who have been victimized by this problem. 

https://twitter.com/letgirlslearn

     In my country, there are still so many girls who don’t go to schools. They are considered as the humans who have to get married and the machines for bearing, rearing and taking care of children. The other reasons include poverty, patriarchal and conservative society, and ignorance. They are pressurized to get married at an early age and are forced to have children soon. This shows very pitiful and miserable situations of girls in Nepal. But if you ever asked any of these girls if they are willing to go to schools or not, you might never get a “ No” answer. They are also humans with dreams but they are those humans who are bound to suppress their dreams and hide them in the dark corner. In some cases, you might get a “Yes” answer. But this might not be their true response. Because many girls are under the fear of males, as my country is historically a male dominated society.

     Not only in Nepal, but about 62 million girls around the world aren’t in school. And we have to change this action of girls not being sent to schools. Together, we all can change this statistic and give the girls chance to go to schools to let them learn, to design their dreams and most importantly to make them feel they are humans.

"How to be successful in university?" Nam Trần Hoàng (AAEE, Vietnam)

How to be successful in university? 

Nam Trần Hoàng (AAEE, Vietnam)

Nam Trần Hoàng

   How to be successful in university? That is a big question for most of the students in Vietnam. Because most of the students get into trouble when they have to study more in less time while studying in university. 

   No teachers can follow you every time everywhere. I still remember, when I was fresher, I met all faced problems. I had to learn more in a short period time. The time for every lecture was short and was not enough for me to understand everything. So I was required to know how to study by myself autonomously. 

   I think the first important skill for fresher’s is self-studying. Self-studying really helped me a lot for revising all knowledge I studied at school and being patient enough while learning. The second important skill is how to use knowledge into practical life. For example finding and applying for a part-time job which is related to your major. It will help you gain an enormous amount of experience on how you can put your academic knowledge into practice.

   Besides all above things, you should take part in external activities inside and outside your university. It will expand your life experiences. I still remember when I stepped the first step on university; I was so shy and scared. But after taking lots of activities such as: Being a guide to Thai, Malaysian and Korean students and participating in the programs like Vietnam Japan Youth Exchange (VJYE) organized by Asia Association of Education and Exchange, it really changed my life. Anyway just keep calm and don’t stop studying. Because “No matter how hard you study, it will never be enough, there is still a lot more to learn than you think.” 

   Thanks for reading.