Herbal Garden Education for Students In Nepal

On 23^rd December 2014, a group of international delegates representing various schools of Bhutan, visited ECCA to observe and learn about the Herbal Garden program being implemented in different schools. The program was initiated with a sharing of introduction and objective of herbal garden initiative in schools by ECCA. Followed by a field visits to various schools, the guests had a meeting and interactions with the students to know about their experience in managing the garden.

With the visit of international delegates, the teachers and students were highly motivated and encouraged to maintain and manage the herbal garden developed in their school compound. The interaction of students and teachers were felt lively as there were two way learning between students as well as guest on various herbs and use of those herbal plants. A small surprise in the field visit was made when the guest were served with the tea prepared from the herbs grown in the herbal garden. All the delegates highly appreciated the effort and hospitality through utilizing the home grown product in serving them.

The students felt this visit of international guests as a reward to them for their dedication and commitment towards managing herbal garden in their school as it is very rare to have international guests visiting their school. Ms. Alisha, member of herbal garden coordinating team of AIMS Academy expressed “Thank you ECCA for supporting our herbal garden and selecting our school to bring international guest to show our initiation and activities. We feel this as a big reward for us towards our work and dedication in our school.”

Ms. Tshering Bhomo representing MOAF, Bhutan expressed “I really appreciate and admire the energy, initiation and enthusiasm that these students have towards managing Herbal Garden in their school. This really encourages me to replicate the program in the school where I am working in Bhutan. This field trip is really a good learning experience for me. Thanks to ECCA for organizing this trip and thanks to all the students for showing and sharing their herbal garden to us.”

We express our sincere gratitude for your help and look forward to your suggestions regarding our works. For more updates, visit our Facebook page, Twitter, Blog and YouTube Channel, along with our Website.

Thank you,

Angel Chitrakar

Sushila peeked outside the classroom. The sun glazed landscapes of Mirge made the impression of being from another time and place, making her wish her class was a little bit more interesting than it was. Her classmates and the teacher had the usual spectacle going on; the teacher was talking about a particular subject that she found was more interesting yesterday than it was today while her classmates agreed, non-verbally. As much as she was a part of it, she couldn’t help thinking about the events scheduled for the coming week.

Sushila is a member of the Nature Club of Laligurans Bright Future English Boarding School in Mirge and would be participating in ‘Herbal Garden Training’ program organized by ECCA. The objective of the training program was to help the teachers and members of nature clubs of four participating schools in Mirge kick-start herbal garden in their school premises. Sushila was both curious and enthusiastic about the program. In a way, this was exactly what she had been looking for. Different from the regular classes, new faces were teaching her about a subject that she had seldom thought about would be introduced in her school. She wanted to know what exactly this would be.

The process started with collecting the participants and planning. It was a bit overwhelming at first, as she had little idea to go about it. When she looked at her friends for help, similar quizzical gazes were reflected on their faces. All the squinting first brought on chuckles, but after a while, when the importance of the program was explained to them, Sushila got serious, like the rest. Planning and implementation was next in line and the work was divided between Sushila and her friends. Without further ado, they were committed into the work they were assigned to – all to convert the dumping site behind their school building into a pleasant garden.

As they dug the ground, planted and watered the saplings, Sushila was proud of her work. She took mental notes of what had to be done with the plants, as her muddied hands dug and created space for new plants to breathe into life. Sushila wanted to let her family know of what they had done that day, and even lend her experience for the work at home. She had toiled with her friends to make a land that had been at waste bring back to life and she was encouraged by the idea to do more. For her, this was one of the definite ways of making her school more interesting.

Students like Sushila should be given an opportunity about things that will make them enthusiastic about learning. We thank you for the help you’ve been providing us with, and request you to spread the word about our projects, so that many more Sushilas may find in them the determination to do something more. Your valuable suggestions and comments regarding our work are highly appreciated. For regular updates regarding our programs and activities, please visit our website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube Channel and Blog.

Thank you!

Sachi Mulmi