Graduation 2023
One of the most pivotal moments in the lives of the Mitrata children takes place during the fall Sponsor Trip. It is the Mitrata/BSF graduation ceremony. This ceremony celebrates our students graduation from the Mitrata program. These students are not necessarily graduating with a university degree. Some of our students have chosen to attend vocational training. Others are still attending school but have jobs that have enabled them to pay for their own schooling. When a student graduates from Mitrata, it is because they are fully self-sustainable and no longer need sponsorship. It is only through many meetings with Bhuvaneshwari Satyal Foundation’s (BSF) Executive Director, Leena Satyal, other BSF staff, including pyscho-social counselor Bimala Joshi, and Mitrata’s Executive Director, Dr. Christine Schutz, that a student is determined ready for graduation.
Graduation is a huge achievement and very worthy of celebration!
This year, four students graduated from the Mitrata program and joined 52 former graduates in the role of Mitrata alumni.
Yanji
Bachelors of Business Studies (BBS)
Sanjeev
Bachelors of Science in Computer Science and Information Technology (BSc.CSIT)
Sushan
Barista training completed from Pegasus School
Puja
Bachelors of Education (BEd)
The ceremony was attended by 100+ individuals. Of those, 13 were former Mitrata graduates. A few of these alumni came from distances of over 100km, and traveled all day by bus to be there. We are so thankful our current and former students are so eager to show their support for one another and celebrate each others’ life achievements!
The entire graduation program was developed and run by current Mitrata students. It was wonderful to see the amount of work and care they put into creating the perfect celebration.
The Mitrata and BSF staff and trip participants enjoyed having traditional Nepali outfits tailor-made for them to wear while they celebrated with the children. Graduation is definitely a fashionable affair!
The ceremony began with a few speeches from Mitrata and BSF staff.
It then transitioned into the most amazing performances by our students! There were solo dances, group dances, dances performed by siblings, and even dances performed by the staff! We were graced by some dance performances from students wearing the traditional dress of their region, while others opted for more contemporary dance performances. A few students chose to showcase their musical talent instead through singing, or playing the guitar and the Cajon drum. Over the course of the day, there were 23 separate performances!
After the incredible performances came the true stars of the show, the graduates! Their names were called, achievements read, and certificates given. The never ceasing cheers from the audience carried them across the stage.
The four 2023 Graduates and BSF staff.
After a speech from each of the graduates, it was time for lunch. A meal that would not have been complete without being followed by lots and lots of ice cream!
Then, it was time to dance. The children, staff, and trip participants joined one another on the dance floor. By the time the ceremony wrapped, everyone was left with joyful hearts and tired feet!
The 2023 Mitrata/BSF Graduation Ceremony was an entire day filled to the brim with pride in the success of our students!
