A Mini Graduation
Throughout a child’s involvement with Mitrata and our NGO partner in Nepal, Bhuvaneshwori Satyal Foundation (BSF), there are a few milestones that really capture their achievement and progress.
One of the first milestones they reach is graduating from the Contact Center. The Contact Center is our early childhood school readiness program. Most children enter the Contact Center malnourished and lack the skills necessary to enter an elementary school. They typically spend two or three years attending the Contact Center, receiving two high-quality, protein-rich meals and nutritious snacks daily, and learning fundamental skills, including reading, writing, and an introduction to English. Due to the nurturing environment, nutrition, healthcare, and educational foundation, most children test into second or third grade at a private elementary school upon graduation!
Another huge milestone our children face is upon completion of the tenth grade. They must then take on the Secondary Education Exam (SEE). The SEE, also known as the Iron Gate Exam, determines their ability to attend any school past eleventh grade or obtain a future degree. If the child is not able to pass the exam, they must wait an entire year before taking it again. If they fail the second time, they are not able to continue their education. Thanks to the hard work of the students and BSF staff, 99% of our children have passed this exam on the first try, compared to the 25% pass rate for children in government schools in Nepal.
Recently, BSF held a “Mini” Graduation Ceremony with the 2024 Secondary Education Exam (SEE) graduates and Contact Center graduates at our new Contact Center in Swayambhu, Kathmandu. During the ceremony, the SEE graduates spoke about their journey to passing the Iron Gate, beginning with their Contact Center days as little kids. The Contact Center graduates also spoke about their new private school environment and expressed their gratitude to their teachers at the Contact Center.
The graduates cut the cake and received blessings. The BSF staff joined in the celebrations and offered up many congratulations to the graduates!
In keeping with our new tradition, the SEE graduates also received a fun and educational book as a gift, and they were delighted. It is so exciting to see them continuing to learn and grow!
