Author: login-welfare

Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge. She is associated with wisdom, music, art, and learning. She is one of the three main goddesses of Hinduism, along with Lakshmi and Parvati. Together, the three goddesses are called the Tridevi. Every year in Nepal, Saraswati Puja is celebrated on the day of BASANTA PANCHAMI. Basanta Panchami is a festival of Hindus that marks the beginning of preparations for the spring season. It is celebrated by people in various ways depending on the region. Basant Panchami also marks the start of preparation for Holi, which occurs forty days later. For many, Basanta Panchami is the festival dedicated to goddess Saraswati,
who is their goddess of knowledge, language, music, and all arts. She symbolizes creative energy and power in all its forms, including longing and love. The season and festival also celebrate the agricultural fields’ ripening with yellow flowers of the mustard crop, which Hindus associate with Saraswati’s favorite color. People dress in yellow saris or shirts or accessories, share yellow colored snacks and sweets. Some add saffron to their rice and then eat yellow cooked rice as a part of an elaborate feast. The SARASWATI PUJA PROGRAM was held on 03 February 2025 at Shanti Nikunja Secondary School (Bhagwatibari, Kathmandu). The child club took the initiative to celebrate the SARASWATI PUJA PROGRAM. The committee of 25 members of the child club was highly attentive to celebrate the program, so they presented their notion to the CWN. Hence, with their idea in mind, the CWN staff members were very positive as this was the first program held by the child club. Accordingly, the children shared their opinion regarding the activities, and they included DANCING, SINGING, and ART/CRAFTS for the program. The event was organized by doing a puja (offering) to the goddess with the active participation of the child club and CWN staff members in the CWN head office. A total of 30 children attended the offering program. Some sweets and fruits were distributed among the children as a part of offering blessings known as ‘PRASAD’ in Nepali. This is the religious followed practice of Nepali culture that the offerings should be distributed to all the devotees. The program commenced from 10:30 AM and lasted till 11:30 AM in the CWN office. Meanwhile, 100 students participated in the program. Numerous activities were held during the event, such as DANCING, SINGING, Drawing, and Handwriting competition. The children’s parents were also involved in the event as they came to see their children performing dancing and singing.

A total of 40 children attended the Christmas Program on 24th December, 2024. The program was celebrated at the CWN office with the presence of children and staff. A three-pound cake was ordered for the program. Children enjoyed the celebration by singing the songs, designing art and craft postcards, and popping the balloons. The children were overjoyed at the celebration by eating the delicious cake. A few gifts were exchanged between the children. Likewise, 100 sponsored children were engaged in letter writing to their godparents as a part of cultural exchange. They also wrote a letter and prepared a postcard to their godparents. Similarly, CWN-supported children
delivered a postcard to the donor agency (Association Pomme Cannelle-France) thanking them for their love and support.

Dashain and Tihar are Nepal’s two largest and most important Hindu festivals, celebrated with great enthusiasm. Dashain, celebrated in late September or early October, is a 15-day festival centered around the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, with family gatherings, feasting, and the Dashain Tika ceremony. Tihar, which follows Dashain in October or early November, is a five-day festival known as the “Festival of Lights” and involves worshipping animals, decorating homes with lights, and the Bhai Tika ritual. 

On 4^th October 2024, Child club of CWN has organized dashain tika program at CWN office. Firstly, president & secretary of CWN’s child club began the program by brief description about dashain festival. Later, staff of CWN wishes happy dashain to all & offer tika & jamara to all participants students along with fruits, sweets & so on as prasad. Likewise, on 30^th October, 2024, members of CWN’s Child club organized deusi/ vailo program at CWN where children had performed varieties of cultural dance & played deusi/ vailo really very well with grace.

NGO Nepal Street Children Progressive Center (NSCPC) is a non-profit organization backed by a Japanese donor and our local partner. In 9^th October 2024, they have provided food supplies to CWN. The food supplies were distributed to needy and low-income families. A total of 10 children and families received food support.

CWN hosted a children’s day program on 14th September, 2024. A total of 100 students participated in the program. The program was held at Shanti Nikunja Secondary School. On the occasion of the children’s day, the child club members took the initiative to organize the event. A dance show, a quiz competition, drawing and handwriting competition were held in the program. Similarly, the child club was also reformed on the same day. A total of five board members will lead the child club. Sabin Karki was elected as the President of the child club.

On 2 July 2024, CWN held a career counseling to SEE graduates of the academic year 2080. A total of 12 children graduated from SEE. The program was chaired by Executive Director of CWN Mr. Raju Khadka, and he discussed the challenges of choosing the right career path. Youths should be guided properly so that he/she can choose the right course and subject about their interest, told Khadka during the session. Parents should be more specific about their children’s choices and interests so that the children can pursue their dreams accordingly. CWN staff also presented their views about choosing their core subjects and their further plan after completing high school. Most of the students were interested in pursuing (Management and Commerce) subjects, while others were interested in studying the Humanities subjects.

CWN distributes educational material every year to the supported students in the second quarter of the English calendar (April and May) after the schools resume during the new Nepali academic year. CWN distributed notebooks (copies), register notebook, pens, pencils, calculators, etc., to almost 183 children for the new academic session, 2081. As they get it from the start of the academic year, it becomes very advantageous and helpful to them for their schooling (classwork and homework) studies.

OBJECTIVES:

• Distribution of educational materials: To ensure that school children’s education is not hampered due to a lack of educational materials.

Resources distributed to 235 children:

1) School uniform, tracksuit, and sweater
2) Bag
3) Black Shoes
4) Copies
5) Pencil/pen
6) Calculator for grade 9 students
7) Register copies of size 5 for grades 9 to 12

Similarly, CWN redistributed school supplies on 14th December, 2024. A total of 146 students
under the Schooling Support received additional copies.

CWN organized a special picnic for the children in 2025 to give them a refreshing outing, which they hadn’t had since the previous year’s picnic. The event was held on 22nd February 2025, a public holiday, making it the perfect day for all the children to join in the fun. Kakani, a famous picnic venue in the Nuwakot district, was allocated for the picnic program. Lama Tent House, a trusted catering service known for providing high-quality meals. The catering services managed the breakfast, snacks, and lunch, ensuring everyone had enough to eat throughout the day. Two 40-seater buses were hired to transport the children to and from the picnic spot. A music system (with speakers and microphones) was also arranged for announcements and dance activities, making the event even more lively.

Key Objectives of the Picnic Program

• Formal Introduction of CWN staff and children to build familiarity and rapport between CWN staff and children.
• Introduction of CWN to provide children with an understanding of CWN’s purpose, creation, and ongoing initiatives.
• Encouraging interaction among Children to foster stronger bonds and better communication among the children.
• Informing children about CWN to update them on the current situation and activities of CWN.
• Providing Refreshment and Relaxation to give children a break from their regular academic routine and offer them a fun-filled day.
• Encouraging Participation in future Activities to inspire children to actively engage in upcoming programs and initiatives.
• Enhancing organizational engagement to strengthen the connection between children and CWN through collective participation in activities.

Likewise, before departure, the children also visited the STRAWBERRY FARM near the
picnic spot.

Child Welfare Nepal (CWN) organized Social Audit and Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 22nd November, 2023. The Social Audit and AGM was held at Bougainvilla Events based at Tripureshor-11, Kathmandu. Around 30 people (Board of Directors, CWN staffs, School Principals, Ward Chairman, Social Welfare Council’s General Secretary, Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s Social Development Department Officer and Media persons, 3/3 children and families supported by CWN) attended the Annual Social Audit and General Meeting. The program was chaired by Board President Mr. Ramhari Khadka and Mr. Rajendra Manandhar (Chief Guest) of KTM Metropolitan Ward-20 Chairman. Other representatives from Social Welfare Council’s General Secretary Respected Mr. Manoj Bhatta and Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s Social Development Department Krishna Raj Tiwari also attended the function. A total of new 13 general members have been added in the executive lists.