Taking Charge of Me, Nepali Style

While in Nepal on the 2023 Sponsor Trip, Pam Hughes, Mitrata Board Member, Child Sponsor, and retired teacher and counselor, led a training for some of the Mitrata children on self-control, anger management, decision making, and navigating peer pressure. The training session was highly engaging and beneficial for the young students. Keep reading to learn more about the training from Pam’s perspective, and the importance it holds for the Mitrata children as they navigate life in Nepal.

“Growing up isn’t easy. That’s true whether you grow up in the United States or Nepal, or for that matter, any other country. Becoming a successful adult requires a number of life skills, including learning how to take responsibility, manage anger, make good decisions, and handle peer pressure. I was excited to be able to talk about those topics with 27, 4th-9th grade Mitrata children, in an all-day workshop when I visited Nepal this fall. I am grateful to PreventEd in St. Louis which granted permission to use their curriculum, Taking Charge of Me. This curriculum was designed very carefully and reinforced by many interesting explanations based on findings from neuroscience.

I was especially excited that Puja, the girl whom I have been sponsoring since she was 14 years old, was able to co-teach the lessons with me. What a wonderful experience to have watched Puja grow up, complete her education degree and earn her teaching license. It was incredibly meaningful for me that Puja was beside me, sharing the joy and excitement of teaching. This young woman, who used to be a shy little girl, was speaking confidently, loudly and with animation. She worked with the small groups, helping them with their assigned tasks. She explained concepts in Nepali, when I wasn’t sure if the students understood my English. She walked around the room to call on students and hand them the microphone. Puja added so much to the workshop, and I was so proud!

The lessons were well received by the students, in part, I think, because it was new material. Typical Nepali classes only deal with traditional academic subjects. The workshop lessons were also interactive. For example, when we were talking about relying on “luck” in life, vs. taking charge of one’s life, we did a game with a coin toss and the students tried to predict if the coins would land heads or tails. When we talked about anger, students indicated where they felt anger in their body by marking on a paper with a body outline. When we talked about decision making and peer pressure, we did a role-play about a student who wants to be popular, and thus gives in by stealing an answer sheet from the teacher. We also role-played strategies on how to respond to peer pressure in positive ways, like changing the subject, giving a better idea, making an excuse, etc. In feedback sheets completed after the workshop, students reported that they felt better equipped to make good life decisions and manage their anger!

I am grateful to Bhuvaneshwori Satyal Foundation (BSF), who worked hard to make that day possible. BSF Board President, Yogesh Satyal, BSF Psychosocial Counselor, Kumari Bimala Joshi, and BSF Senior Program Coordinator, Sushma Masarangi Magar, all provided valuable assistance during the workshop. In addition, Margaret Gaal, who happens to be my friend, a retired teacher, and a child sponsor all rolled into one, was able to help with the lessons too.

At the end of the day, we were all exhausted but happy to have helped the children enhance their skills for navigating through life.”

Pam Hughes

Board Member and Child Sponsor