Big Brother Big Sister (BBBS) is a month-long mentorship program in which youth leaders participate to organize and raise funds for an educational experience in Kathmandu for 50-60 children from Teach for Nepal Fellows’ classrooms. This year Big Brothers and Big Sisters will put together a program designed to give exposure and build aspiration of children and will also conduct various fund raising activities to raise 2 lakhs rupees to fund the trip.

Last year, the BBBS team of 15 youths collected donations by conducting fund raising programs. The youths engaged in activities like Car Wash at colleges and at Bhat Bhateni Super Market, Bake n’ Sale at St. Xavier’s College, and a song dedication program called “Cupid For A Cause” to raise the required amount of fund. The fund was used in carrying out the children’s tour. It was a 4 day long program in which the children visited various historical as well as some recreational places. Most of the children hadn’t even been to Kathmandu so the tour was full of new experiences and learning for them. The children had an opportunity to interact with many inspirational people who came from similar socio-economic background and worked relentlessly to lead a successful life. The sessions with such motivational people helped them to broaden their horizon and build their sense of possibility on what they can achieve in life with persistence and perseverance. The Big Brothers and Big Sisters took the children to various colleges and organizations to expose them to different career options. They also participated in different activities like “Art of Living” and team building exercise designed to a build strong character. The kids, on their last day in the capital city, participated in Teach for Nepal’s fourth cohort’s induction program at Hotel Everest and shared in their performances in front of many esteemed personalities.

The program was beneficial and transformational not only for the kids but for the BBBS as well. The Big Brothers and Big Sisters had an opportunity to interact with 60 children from public schools in rural areas and mentor them. They got to be a role model for the kids as the kind of person they want to grow up to and be like. The volunteers used this opportunity to harness their leadership, communication and fund raising skills as well as in practice designing, executing and managing events. The Big Brothers and Big Sisters gave the children an opportunity to realize that, no matter what their circumstances and constrains are, they can do what they want to and be what they want to be.