- By Eva Manandhar

Her students were playing a football match against Jana Jagriti, which was considered the ‘top’ school in football. Before the match she told her children, “Aafno best diney ho, sakincha vaney jitney ho, harey ni ijjat ka saath harney ho.”

Her kids won – fair and square. Even they couldn’t believe that they had won.

There is a very fine line between encouraging children and giving them false hopes, and Drishya is someone who understands this very well.

Being in the classroom she realized that the children had formed a barrier within themselves  – Ma sakdina. She motivated and convinced them to gradually overcome that barrier and has seen them thrive with positivity. “I feel the sense of possibility is really high among the children now,” she says.

 “I took them to various competitions, and they came first in almost every competition they participated, and they had never won anything before, I think that increased their confidence in themselves,” she says.

And she wishes that her children continue this pace, “I want my children to never give up, hajar choti ladey ni, ladera uthna sikun” she adds.  

Setting the bar high

“I think we tend to go in with very low expectations from the children in government schools. Even when they aim for low ranked positions we think that’s ok atleast they aimed for that much, atleast they didn’t limit themselves to just being a driver or conductor. But why don’t we expect much more from them, cause these children have so much more potential than just vying for such menial jobs,” says Drishya.

“If we have the same low expectations from these children as everyone else, what is the point of us being there as fellows,” she adds.

“If we cannot bring out their full potential then we are the ones who lack the skills, it is not their fault that they have such low expectations from themselves. We should create an environment where they can fully flourish and we should work towards bringing out their optimum potential,” she says.

Leaving your comfort zone

When you leave your comfort zone it is difficult for everyone, and Drishya is no exception to it, she shares that the first three months were quite difficult for her too, but slowly she learnt to adjust, to adapt, and that is when the acceptance from the community came in as well.

“Initially, I did find the people too inquisitive and too loud, and I felt like I didn’t have my personal space, at any time ghar ko aama would call me to have makkai or chiya, which at times I was not comfortable with. But then it was during these times that the family members would share their stories with me, and afnai manchey jasto lagna thalyo,” she says. “Later, I changed my timing I had set for reading and other work so I could spend time with them,” she adds.

A good start after getting a feel of the village she says is to initiate conversation with the people. “Make a conscious effort to know people, curiosity always helps,” says Drishya. Another part would be to just go and participate in ceremonies, “When you be a part of special occasions aafno thanchan,” she says.

And another important piece of advice, “Don’t be rigid. If you know how to sing go and sing, if you’re good at dancing, show off some moves, be it in the school or the community,” she says.  

Being thankful

From learning how to live in a small space that becomes your room, to having nothing but saag and bhat for more than a month, to many other things, you learn to appreciate everything that you have. “I think this is something you cannot learn or get anywhere else.” “It is through an experience like this that you come to appreciate everything in your life,” says Drishya.

A tower of inspiration

Baisakh 12 when the earth shook violently Drishya was stuck under a rack that toppled over her and frantically tried to get out but it was too heavy and she could not move an inch, she desperately shouted for help not knowing if it was coming, and feeling that huge sense of relief when didi came and rescued her. To suffering the tragic loss of her co-fellow Sujita, who was not just a friend but a sister, Drishya has gone through one of the toughest journeys in the fellowship.

And yet she had the immense courage to go back to the village, to the school, Drishya is one fellow who has inspired us all with her inner strength and resilience.

Sharing where she derives that strength from she says, “I always reminded myself why I was there. Even during that time I had never thought that I would leave, it just never occurred to me.” “When people told me that it was ok if I didn’t want to go back, I just didn’t understand it,” she says.

“My children were still there, they were still living in those tin huts, they were still living their lives in that place, how could I leave.”

“If I had left, that would have been just half the journey, I would not have been able to do what I had gone there to do,” she adds. “I had to complete my journey and my children were always my motivation,” says Drishya.

“I also had to do this to fulfil the dream that Sujita and I had for our children,” she says.

Leading by teaching

Leading by example, as to how leaders and teachers are similar she shares, “Leaders are people who mediate things, they motivate others and work towards ensuring others’ growth.”

“I feel that teachers are leaders too, as they do the same – for their students. Teachers are those who lead a whole generation. It is what you teach and the values you instill in your children that will determine what the next generation will be like,” she adds.

Photos Credit: Shiv Kandel (Documentation Coordinator, Teach For Nepal)

In alignment with the vision

Currently, Drishya is working as Leadership Development Manager (LDM) at Teach for Nepal, ensuring the personal and professional growth of fellows. As to how she supports her fellows, she says, “I help them in content development, management and community involvement.”

“On a professional level we support fellows in the classroom and look after their well-being, but besides that on a personal level I feel we are their didi, dai, friend, mentor,” she adds.

Another pivotal part she plays is to make sure that their vision is in alignment with the vision of TFN. She says, “I think every fellow plays a very crucial part in achieving our vision ‘One day all children in Nepal will attain an excellent education’. “We may work as fellows and then as alumni to further this cause, in 10 or 20 years’ time we will have people in various fields who will be contributing towards making this successful,” she says. “Every drop in the ocean counts.”

Words to heed by

If one wishes to join the fellowship she says it is very important to be committed to it and one should be very very open to learning. “Do not come into the fellowship with the mentality -- Ma yahan dina aaeko hun, kina vaney yo fellowship ma eti dherai kura haru sikincha. Ma dina aaeko hun vanera aayau vaney tyehi nai adkinchau,” she says.

Drishya Gurung (2014 Fellow) served at Shree Bhimsen Secondary School in Sangachowk, Sindhupalchowk and Eva Manandhar  (2014 Fellow) served at Terse Secondary School in Talamarang, Sindhupalchowk.