We conducted 28 community events for elderly citizens who are looking for a social engagement but haven't found that space and opportunity. So we designed Hamarapalama as their way to be social and have conversations on topics of their interests.  Most of the topics were of historical and cultural nature, that they referred to as "Satsang".  A speaker would speak on a certain topic and the audience could also give their viewpoint on the topic. We would especially like to thank  "Maheshwor juju Rajopadhya" for being such a wonderful speaker of the event. We also like to thank Bishnu Pandey, Ishor Raj Lohani, Ram Krishna Tamrakar, Kamal Nath Mishra for the continuous participation.

Experiencing moments of connection, disconnection and self realization Kehi Garoun held the 6th “Mindfulness” Retreat in Boudha,Kathmandu this weekend. The theme of the retreat was to explore the potential of the change that ripples from self to into the world which was so visible among 24 participants, the space and people around. There were 4 adorable kids as well, who made the retreat more play full and alive. We used the tools of mindfulness and interaction which somehow made an impact to every individual. The desire of the change from within which would ripple out through relationships and to the world seems possible now after having this retreat done. And there is more hope that things would fall in place and the world would be a better place, as we start to see ourselves and others as humans.  

The last breathers was held successfully with 12 people in KG office. The whole session revolved around a simple question, "Who is sad?", where everyone was engaging equally. It is a regular session running every Friday morning from 7:30 to 9:00 am. One and half hour long this session included breathing exercise and sharing on the given topic. Everyone enjoyed to be the part of this session. Members of breathers believe that this kind of session is needed to everyone out there. 

After a Breathers session at Budhanilkantha, KG team members started a silent hike uphill towards Gairigaun, Muhanpokhari located near the boundaries of Shivpuri National Park. The team stayed at a members place in the locality which was abundant in nature.
 
The three day trip explored themes of facilitator development sessions and mindful sessions.
 
Facilitator Development Sessions
Sessions included discussion on notions of:

• Factors influencing facilitation.
• Features of facilitators.
• Emotional Intelligence.
• Co-creating relationships.
• Questioning and listening.

 
Mindful Sessions: Indoor/Outdoor

• Silent hikes.
• Breath watching.
• Body Scan.
  
• Open sharing and discussions.
  

 The retreat was overall a rejuvenating experience for all the participants. It became a place for learning, sharing and co-creating relationships.

This winter KG organized a winter camp for government school students. There were 8 participants form Shanti Sikshya secondary school. The camp was 3 days long which included activities on Emotional Intelligence and Design For Change. Emotional Intelligence was a completely new topic for them. Everyone participated in the entire 3 days of winter camp with a lot of interest and enthusiasm. According to them, at first, they thought the camp will be boring with some teaching and writing activities. They had not expected this kind of session. After completing the camp everyone was happy to learn new things. Everyone shared how they were unaware of simple daily activities which could affect them as well as others. They found the sessions completely new, interesting, and fruitful.

“I will definitely be aware of what I am going to do and how I am talking to others. I find it really important to know how a small thing can affect others without the intention to hurt them” said Nishan Rai.

Design for change framework helped the students to solve their problems at Shanti Sikshya Secondary School. After completing the FIDS session they have improved their learning . while doing this framework students had listed  all problems that they have been facing in their school everyday. After it, they chose the important problems by voting. Once it is done, they  imagined the various solutions and listed the plan to solve it . Finally they solved their problems with the help of design for change project.


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Students of Kankeshwori Lower Secondary School have done design for change project, while doing this project students were very much excited. They  had listed the problems that bothered them and list out the plan to solve it . when they solved it they were happy for their efforts. 

Students of Shanti Sikshya Secondary School ​ were happy in doing design for change project. With the help of this projects they were able to solve their  problems  in school. They have chosen the toilet cleanliness projects which is most import problem to them. Support of teacher, school admin and students were able to solve it with good effort.

Kehi Garoun has been working for the last ten years towards self-empowerment.  Yet, somehow we are seen as yet another charity organization, adding to the very culture of dependence that we are trying to change.  In our attempt to rethink our work, Nabin, Pravendra and Umanga attended a 3 day retreat on Reimaging Education in Ahmedabad, organized by movedbylove.org. The retreat was an experience of generosity, connection and learning.   It was truly rewarding experience for our 'hands, hearts and heads.' Details of the retreat is here. 

Inspired by our experience, we replicated a similar retreat for Kehi Garoun volunteers from January 27-29 to explore the potential of "inside-out change" - the social change that results from personal change.  We did not have a rigid agenda, yet we had a prayer that each of us will get some clarity for oneself, and kindle heart-connections with others.
                    "EACH OF US GUARDS A GATE OF CHANGE, 
      THAT CAN BE UNLOCKED ONLY FROM THE INSIDE."

Summary:
The experience was so inspiring that Kehi
Garoun held a similar retreat on inside-out
​change as soon as their team got back to Nepal. ​

Highlights:
The retreat started with simple introduction of all the participants and the volunteers. All shared their moments of joy in education. There were break out sessions on compassion quotient.  We visited  Sewa Cafe, an experiment in giving, and listened to Nemo's songs. ​

We moderate dialogues among leaders of various organizations who wish to serve as a sounding board to one another. ​

Kehi Garoun has started a new program ‘Education venture’ with the vision of improving the educational system. We are looking to work with schools as a consultant or as a part of school management itself.
Our education vision is to inspire the education community through the merits of the culture of self-learning.

• We envision a self-learning culture where teachers and students are curious and internally motivated to undertake self-initiatives to learn.
• We want to instill the values of individual responsibility and global citizenship in our students. 
• We aim to prepare students for life-long learning, a value that has shaped liberate-arts education.
• We will serve as an ‘R&D Lab’ to study and provide services that aim to improve education that is accessible to students of modest economic backgrounds from all over the country.

Our venture is based on three pillars:

1. Curriculum that reaches beyond the walls of the classroom: To supplement the academic curriculum, we will design activities where students can use their energy and curiosity to undertake Project-Based Learning, on topics that are relevant to them as global citizens. Based on the past 10 years of KG's volunteering experience with college students, we have found that “learning-by-doing” has a lasting impact. 
2. Guidance counseling that provides the skills needed for self-direction:  To promote individual responsibility and ownership in one’s education, we will provide guidance resources and in-person counseling sessions, starting from the Induction Week where students carry out their goal-setting exercises.  Based on the our experience through  Kehi Garoun's “Insight” guidance counseling program, that has reached over 12 schools in Kathmandu, we have found effective ways of engaging students in finding out “what they, with all their heart, love to do”. Their studies then become a source of joy and excitement.
3. Management that is rigorous in following the Standard Operating procedure: In order to manage administration, admissions and teachers’ careers (recruitment, evaluation and training), we will develop and implement standard operating procedures.  Based on our experience from Kehi Garoun's Giving program, that scaled up from helping 40 students a year to over 2000 a year, we have learnt the value of putting rigorous management processes in place. 

For more pictures, click here.

Kehi Garoun  is itself inspired by J. Krishnamurti, and proudly displayed J.K publications in the 19th Nepal International Book Fair at Bhrikutimandap, Exhibition hall, Kathmandu where more than 50 books and DVDs were displayed.
The book fair was held from 21st August to 29th August.

In 2011, we held 100+ events towards ‘responsible citizenship
+ accountable leadership’.   
In 2012, we carry a voice that says ‘बाँच र बाँच्न देऊ’  ​

“Teaching effectively” is a Teachers' Workshop on Learner-Centric-Education.  The Principal of John Dewey HS School is the facilitator and designer of the workshop. The workshop is held at Kanya Mandir H.S School for 2 and half hours every Sunday from 16th Nov- 7th Dec 2014. The training redefines the responsibilities of a teacher to promote student-centered teaching.  26 teachers from secondary level of Government Schools are paying to attend this program.  Click for pictures

•   Training workshop  report 2014.
  

To make Kehi Garoun an environment where people can grow and develop, Kavita Srinivasan guide the staff and interns on presentation skills.  After an initial session where insights on presentation skills and tools were shared, participants scheduled their own presentations in the following week.  Each presentation is followed by a feedback session to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each presenter, and  what they can do to improve their presentations skills.

Kehi Garoun team looks to improve purposefulness and productivity of individuals.  “The One Thing” is the title of a book written by Gary Keller, towards that end. Kehi Garoun team read this book, followed by a gathering on 21st June 2013, to discuss its implications in each of their lives.

The book dismisses many commonly held beliefs about success, such as the benefits of multitasking and discipline. It’s primary take away is the question: “What is the ONE THING I can do, such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?”

The staff discussed how the principles in this book applied to them personally and professionally. This was done in the beautiful environs of the Tea Lounge, which is a standing example of a place which could as well have been designed keeping the principles of THE ONE THING in mind!

"Kehi Garoun Aafno Health ko Lagi" is a CSR campaign with K Lab. 

It is a micro-social-venture whereby KG and volunteers can earn some profit that can be directed to social causes. KG has placed a machine that measures BMI (Body Mass Index) which helps individual to be responsible for their own Health.  

On 6th April 2013, the BMI machine initiative was launched at the Bhatbhateni Supermarket, Baluwatar. With the help of KG Circle, Jayshree Jain and Bhatbhateni’s owner Mr. Min Bahadur Gurung, we were able to get the space at Bhatbhateni free of cost for 15 days. This period of 15 days has been extended and the initiative is continuing a good pace. With the efforts of KG staff Krishna Raj Tiwari, and the volunteers (Pawani Khadka, Nikita Bajrachaya, Yumi, Sagma, Ankit Acharya, Apekchya Khanal, Gyurme Thangyon, Jayshree Jain, Karishma Tuladhar, Karma Dongol Gurung, Pratyush Shah, Sabina Adhikari, Tashi, Nabin Sharma, Raiju), the BMI project is sustaining and yielding great results. From the Rs. 100 fee per person for the BMI test, 50% of the amount will go to the KG Gifts Program for stationery.

The profit from the venture will go to support the stationery drive. 

Any queries may be forwarded to the venture coordinator Krishna Tiwari.

Updates

1. 2013 February monthly update 
   
2. 2013 January monthly update

Sophiya lives with her aunt. She has a poor economic background. She comes with bare feet in school and doesn't have proper uniform to wear. In a week, she used to be present only for 2-3 days. And according to her teacher, Ms. Bimala Acharya, she covered her face due to shyness.

Through KG Gifts, she has been given sweater on the cold winter, supported by Siddhartha Maharjan. She has been encouraged to come to school, says her teacher in an excited tone. Nowadays, she is regular to school and studies with the whole heart. She stands first/second in her class. Now that she has received a KG gift, she says she wants to study hard and doesn't want to put any burden to her aunt.

Ms. Bimala says she has been exhilarated and happy to see Sophiya improving and being a confident girl. Ms. Bimala is also praised by the school's principle. With KG Gifts, she really feels empowered to do something for their students

Clothes Drive was held at Kanya Mandir Premises for the students of 30 government schools, on 5th 
January,2013.  We had collected over 600 washed and used clothing items.

On the warm sunny winter, the clothes fair started with the big bang. The students received clothes by dancing on " Gangnam Style" and playing games like Pin The Donkey, Solving Puzzle, Mathematics Questions, Hit The Can, London Stop, Chungi, Score A Basket. More than 180 students received clothes to keep themselves warm in this winter.

Lessons

• The children felt happy when they won the clothes through dance and games.
• There were more clothes than winner, so we started distributing the clothes freely.  The children became  greedy, envious and unappreciative.   We stopped the free distribution after some time.  The remaining clothes will be given in future events.