SCHOLAR HIGHLIGHT: HEM SHANKAR YADAV, CANOPY NEPAL EXCELLENCE SCHOLAR - FESSHIP

Hem Shankar Yadav, Canopy Excellence Scholar

Hem Shankar Yadav is a Canopy Nepal Excellence Scholar-FESSHIP who has recently completed his high school studies from National Integrated College with an interest inclined towards Medical Field. He is originally from Janakpur Sub Metropolitan City, Dhanusha. After his father’s death that took place when he was only eight years old,  he is survived by a single mother and two siblings in Janakpur. After his father’s death, Hem and his family faced economic crises and issues in the family. Then, Hem’s mother was suggested to send him to his studies in Kathmandu by the neighbors that would keep him far from the economic pressure and familial disturbances. Following their advice, Hem’s mother finally sent Hem to Kathmandu for his further studies and was brought up at Nepal Dalit Mahila Uthan Kendra Orphanage, which supports deprived and ingenious children till their secondary level studies. 

Hem with other Canopy scholars after the internal Futsal Program 

Hem’s life changed after he was sent to Nepal Dalit Mahila Uthan Kendra. Although his life was hard there, especially because of him requiring to work for his dinner and criticisms particularly related to his life and education, Hem managed to complete his secondary education from Valley Public School with a good score. After completing his secondary schooling, he graduated from the orphanage services and decided to consult his problem with Friends of Nepal Adelaide Inc. (FONAI), a group of social workers, working voluntarily in the foster organization. With FONAI agreeing to support him for his living and education, Hem finally decided to join National Integrated College for his high school studies with a focal person who was based in Nepal under the scholarship provided by FONAI.

Hem during a first aid workshop organized by scholarship team

Intending to expand the organization and to systematize the scholarship, Canopy Nepal was formally announced as an implementing partner of FONAI run Educational Scholarship Program, commonly known as FONAI Educational Scholarship Program (FESSHIP) in 2018, one year after Hem was selected as a scholar. After the formation of FESSHIP, Hem realized the positive changes and efficiency in the implementation of the program.  Unlike before, the tension for timely payments of college fees has reduced and Hem, himself has realized, the shift of focus from financial aspects of life towards greater academic achievements. Adding on, the skill-based workshops and training sessions provided by the scholarship team that includes, email etiquette, basic first aid training, Internet of Things (IoT) & Networking, Emotional Intelligence, and Leadership Skills have enabled their overall growth,  have provided them proper exposure, knowledge, confidence and motivation to strive for greater success in the upcoming days.

FESSHIP scholars after an event 

Thanking FESSHIP, Hem said, “FESSHIP has been a family for me without FESSHIP it would have been very difficult and I wouldn’t have been in this place today. The support and guidance have uplifted me so much. Being a scholar of FESSHIP I have seen many changes in myself, I have been getting exposure, knowledge, confidence, ideas which have been very helpful for me.” This has motivated the Canopy Nepal Excellence Scholarship- FESSHIP team to strive for ensuring better accessibility for students like these in the near future. 

(Based on a conversation with Hem after his consent for publish of this post)

Written By: Anjali Maharjan (Canopy Nepal) 

Edited By: Pransu Khakurel (Canopy Nepal)

Anjali is a Junior Program Assistant at Canopy Nepal, where she is providing her assistance in ensuring better education accessibility to the students pursuing their high school and undergraduate level studies. Apart from this, she is also undertaking her undergraduate level studies majoring in Social Work and Rural Development at Thames International College, Battisputali.

Canopy Nepal, with a team of enthusiastic youths, is providing scholarships, interactive sessions and workshops to improve the education system, little by little. The solutions provided by the experts are always implemented in our programs in ways that fit them best. 

Garden of Dreams

Hidden inspiration in the city 'GARDEN OF DREAMS'

The hidden garden at the heart of the busy and rushy city provides a calm vibe to both your mind and heart. This is a place where one could find inspirations from designs, artifacts, peace, serenity, imagination and romance. 

if you want to escape from the noise and anxious surrounding , this is the place to be where there is only you and your time.  

A video we came across that has its own take on the Garden. have a look at the film look of the place here . a video by Himalayan Diaries channel on youtube. 

Inspiring through Stories

Panel Discussion taking place

Canopy Nepal organized a mini version of Understanding Education as ‘Inspiring through Stories’, with an intention to inspire Canopy Nepal Excellence Scholars to work harder and maintain the quality of our scholarship programs. This program was launched at Teach for Nepal office with a motive of inspiring youth to work persistently based on the stories presented by different outstanding scholars who have performed strongly academically and non-academically. The major participants of this panel discussion involved Canopy Nepal Excellence Scholars, their parents, and concerned school authorities.

This panel discussion, introduced as the first episode of this series was held among Asmita Kumari Mandal, Women Leader-2019 and Samaanta Foundation Scholar at VS Niketan School ;  Rupa Khatri, Canopy Nepal Scholar ; Saugat Wagle, Canopy Scholar studying at National College and Utsav Silwal, Former Bloom Nepal School Scholar and current Ullens International Baccalaureate Scholar. The panelists shared their past experiences, the contributions made by scholarships in their lives, the efforts they put after receiving the scholarship and also provided their suggestions for the current scholars for maximum utilization of the scholarships.

Participants noting in the discussion

The major theme of this event revolved around the proper utilization of the scholarship received by the scholars. one of our panelists,  Asmita Mandal, said," If we focus on learning new things by taking failures as motivation, it increases chances in gaining success in whatsoever aspect in one's life. The ‘never Give Up’ attitude one possesses towards goal achievement is all it takes for being successful." Similarly, Saugat Wagle, another panelist of the session stated how proper guidance and support from the scholarship providers at Canopy has been a strong catalyst for him to be more accountable to it. He stresses that the scholars should be persistent towards giving the best results so that there is an equal give and take relationship with the scholarship providers. Additionally, other panelists Utsav Silwal and Rupa Khatri shifted to focus on the importance of strong belief in one's potential to outdo themselves. The audience of this panel discussion comprised up of students receiving scholarships from various Canopy Nepal Scholarship projects and programs and representatives from different partner schools.

Overall, the event was well appreciated by the participants. One of the widely remarked comments given by our scholars included, “It was amazing to learn so much from the stories of our panelists This has inspired us a lot, so please continue this in the near future as well.” Comments like these have really made us even more motivated to organize more sessions of ‘Inspiring Through Stories’. 

Canopy Nepal team with the scholars after the event

Written By: Pransu Khakurel

Edited By: Urishna Shakya 

Canopy Nepal, with a team of enthusiastic youths, is providing scholarships, interactive sessions and workshops to improve the education system, little by little. The solutions provided by the experts are always implemented in our programs in ways that fit them best.