Jharuwarasi
Nava Jyoti Primary School is one of two ETC-supported schools to implement an Agriculture in Schools program. Students who are members of ETC-supported children's clubs, work in collaboration with their teachers to maintain these gardens. The harvested vegetables provide food for the school but are also sold to students, teachers, and families in the community to bring money into the school which helps sustain the school garden.
Shree Krishna Lower Secondary School is also involved with ETC's Agriculture in School program. Because the main school building is being rebuilt, with help from ETC, a small plot of land has initially been designated for the school garden. As in Nava Jyoti, the community at Shree Krishna is eager to expand this program.
Nava Jyoti Primary School after renovations made possible by ETC's School Improvement Plan, a component of the Community Sponsorship (SPC) program. This physical reconstruction is an important aspect of the program, as it leads to lower drop-out rates and higher enrollment, along with the overall improvement of the quality of the school system.
Jan Bikash Secondary School after ETC-supported building renovations. School improvement and maintenance is funded through ETC's Community Sponsorship (SPC) program. Schools are provided with roofing, floor and wall materials, toilets, doors, windows, playground equipment, office equipment and furniture in an effort to create a comfortable learning environment for students.
Kindergarten students at Jan Bikash Secondary School. For many janjati children, first grade is a difficult transition since it is taught only in Nepali. ETC has intoduced the concept of kindergarten as a primer for these students. Not only do they become accustomed to speaking Nepali in the classroom, but they are also taught lessons in basic hygiene and study habits. As shown in this picture, the teaching methods employed for kindergartners are often different than those used in Nepali schools. For example, seating students in groups at round tables creates a radically different learning environment than the rows of benches typically found in Nepali classrooms.
Students at Nava Jyoti hard at work. ETC promotes and provides training for student-centered, hands-on teaching methods. Favoring a holistic approach in the classroom, teachers are trained in age-appropriate activities and lessons.
Proper animal housing is an important part of ETC's Agricultural Development work. A typical Nepali home places animals in the same vicinity of the kitchen. By providing housing for animals outside the home, ETC has helped to improved the health and living conditions of not only the animals, but also of the people in the households.
Upon receiving various trainings from ETC, women's group members undertake numerous agricultural activities to better provide for their families. Many women now have enlarged their gardens in order to not only feed their families, but also sell produce at the local market in order to earn some income for their families.
Godavari
These two kindergarten students proudly display their colorful artwork. ETC's Kindergarten and Pre-primary education programs are groundbreaking in Nepal and have been recognized as model programs by the Ministry of Education.
Siddheswor Lower Secondary School after renovation through ETC's School Improvement Plan, a component of ETC's Community Sponsorship (SPC) program. The community matches ETC's monetary support by at least 25% in order to promote awareness and ownership by the community in their school systems.
ETC's School Improvement Plan not only provides teacher trainings and assists with school building repair and maintenance, but also provides the opportunity to build school playgrounds.
Many ETC-supported schools also boast school libraries, such as this one at Siddheswor Lower Secondary School. Libraries are essential in promoting literacy and raise the quality of one's education in the Nepali school system.
A school and community newsletter created by a children's club at Kitini Higher Secondary School. Students are encouraged to write stories as a part of their schooling.
As part of ETC's Women's Literacy and Empowerment program, women's group members participate in tailoring training so that they acquire the skills to earn an income through sewing activities. Not only does this work improve the women's esteem of themselves, it also raises respect for women throughout the community.
Demonstration farms, like the ones in the photos, are maintained by ETC's women's group members. The women, and their families, grow various vegetables on these plots of land, applying what they learn from ETC's agricultural training programs and serving as community role models.
These women's group members maintain their own model kitchen gardens, which provide sufficient, nutritious vegetables for their families, as well as earning potential if a surplus exists. These women and their kitchen gardens serve as positive examples of what is possible to the rest of their communities.
As part of ETC's celebration of International Women's Day in March 2005, a large event was organized at Kitini Higher Secondary School. The event was attended by over 300 women's group members, along with ETC staff and other people from the communities with which ETC works. A poetry writing competition was part of the festivities, as were numerous games and song and dance competitions.
Members of a women's group during a meeting. A fundamental part of ETC's mission to improve life in Nepal, the women are taught lessons in literacy, financial management and gender training, among others.
This woman is proudly showing her new bio-briquette stove, which is a smokeless, pollution free, cooking source. ETC is working to provide these hot alternative cooking sources to women's group members.
A farmer stands near his family's garden. Gardens are an integral part of self-sustaining communities in Nepal, providing both food and income to families.
Part of ETC's Agricultural Development work involves various irrigation techniques. This photo shows a water collection pond that was built to gather rain water.
Bishankhu Narayan VDC
Kamala Ramtel is a member of an ETC-supported Dalit Women's Group. She is seen her with produce from her mushroom garden, which she will sell in the local market. By earning an income to help support their families, women gain respect and empowerment in their male-dominated communites.
ETC actively encourages and promotes solarization techniques that allow for organic and sustainable farming practices.
This plot of land shows the garden of an ETC-supported women's group member. ETC's Agriculture Program promotes the incorporation of indigenous techniques along with modern developments in farming.
Shree Krishna Lower Secondary School is one of two ETC-supported schools to initiate the Agriculture in Schools program. This program mobilizes the school community and enables students and teachers to work hand in hand. The school garden has become a source of pride, ownership, and income!