The Best Day of the Year!
One of the most anticipated days in the lives of all our Students is Graduation from the Mitrata and BSF programs. This isn’t just your normal graduation ceremony. 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-sufficient and no longer need sponsorship.
This is no simple task to achieve. 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.
The ceremony began with a few speeches from Mitrata and BSF staff. These speeches were followed by the individuals of the hour, the graduates!
This year, four students were determined ready for this huge step. They joined a group of 56 other individuals in the role of Mitrata Alumni. Their names were called, achievements read, and certificates given.
Bishnu - Bachelor of Business Studies
Pragya - Bachelor of Social Work & Rural Development
Samjhana - Bachelor of Travel and Tourism
Bhawana - Bachelor of Social Work & Rural Development
After a wonderful speech from Bishnu, it was time for the most amazing performances by our students! There were solo dances, group dances, dances performed by siblings, and even dances performed by the BSF staff and Mitrata Child Sponsors! 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 over 26 separate performances!
The performers were sustained with a mid-day break for lunch. A meal that would not have been complete without being followed by lots and lots of ice cream!
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 ceremony was attended by 100+ individuals. The crowd was made of a mix of BSF staff, Mitrata staff, Child Sponsors, current Mitrata Students, Mitrata Alumni, and the Graduates of course! 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!
Each year, the graduates are given the chance to choose what outfit they would like to wear. The Mitrata and BSF staff and trip participants enjoyed visiting a tailor to have traditional Nepali outfits made for them to wear while they celebrated with the children. Graduation is always a fashionable affair!
By the time the ceremony wrapped, everyone was left with joyful hearts and cheeks that hurt from smiling!
It is by far the Best Day of the Year!
