The Stranger - Binu Tamang, Canopy Nepal Excellence Scholar, CANSHIP

Stranger, Picture Courtesy: KidsTimes

One day, on the way back home, I noticed a stranger, who was odd wearing a suit and was staring at me. The next day, I came across the same stranger in the same place wearing the exact same clothes as that of the previous day. This continued for a week and then he came to me still keeping quiet for a while. As he kept quiet, I was scared and my heart was pumping at a high speed. After some time, he broke his silence and told me that I look like his daughter. I gave him a glance and I was surprised. When I heard this, I thought he had been talking nonsense or might be having a mental disorder so I smiled without giving him a clue. Then he put his hand in his pocket and withdrew a photograph and showed it to me. I gave the photo a glance and got lost in my own thoughts for a moment. This is because the girl in the photo was exactly like me. He told me that the girl in the photo was his daughter. He had come to the town for some important work and happened to see me. When he saw me for the first time, he was confused with his daughter and got to know she was in the village. He explained everything. I was just listening to him with my eyes wide open. He also said, he had some work regularly at the same place so he used to wait for the bus almost every day. While waiting he used to stare at me. After listening to his story, I felt shocked and miserable at the same time. I used to listen to the people saying there exist seven people in the world with similar appearance. I found it right when I talked to the stranger. After that conversation, we had coffee together and bid farewell to each other. 

Thanks to the stranger I met that day because I got to open up the mystery of my life that was scaring me earlier. It also shows our life is full of mystery and to know and experience such things its essential for us to take a step and be courageous. We can be successful after taking only after experiencing every case of our life. 

Author: Binu Tamang (Canopy Nepal)

Binu Tamang is a Canopy Nepal Excellence Scholar- CANSHIP, studying in Guheshwari Boarding High School.

Canopy Nepal is a team of visionary youths working in the field of education, skill and leadership development, diversity, and inclusion. Canopy Nepal works in collaboration with like-minded individuals and organizations to achieve the targets of empowering the organizations’ beneficiaries with skills they need to bring about positive change in the community. Canopy Nepal aims at creating an environment where individuals have a choice to equip themselves with skills and abilities of lifetime importance. The organization intends to promote intercultural understanding among diverse groups by means of various programs

Maintaining Mental Health amid the Covid-19 pandemic

The outbreak of the Coronavirus Covid-19 has impacted people in varying ways on an international scale. It is natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during and after a situation like this. People are overwhelmed by the constantly changing alerts and media coverage regarding the spread of the virus. Our mental health is equally as important as our physical health during this time. While we are keeping physically distant, it is more important than ever that we remain socially and emotionally connected.

How it might affect our Mental Health?

●       Having irrational thoughts.

●       Fear and worry about our own health status and that of our loved ones who may have been exposed to Covid-19.

●       Worsening of chronic health problems.

●       Feeling stressed, insecure or unsettled.

●       Becoming irritable more easily.

●       Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.

●       Changes in sleep or eating patterns.

●       Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.

How to mind our mental health during this time?

❖   Maintaining a healthy lifestyle- Our routine may be affected by the corona virus outbreak in different ways. But during difficult times like this, it’s best if we can keep some structure in our day. For example:

●       Setting up a daily routine. Plan activities that are fun (such as reading, watching movies, hobbies) and that give you a sense of achievement (such as cleaning, completing work tasks, learning a new skill).

●       Eat well—plan and eat a variety of nutritious meals.

●       Staying active—create an exercise routine that can be completed at home, to maintain physical fitness and reduce stress.

●       Staying connected with friends and family via phone, chat, email, or video conferencing.

❖    Staying connected- During times of stress, friends and families can be a good source of support. It is important to keep in touch with them and other people in your life. If you need to restrict your movements or self-isolate, try to stay connected to people in other ways, for example: email, social media, video calls, phone calls, text messages and so on.

❖    Taking breaks - Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate. Make time to unwind and remind yourself that negative feelings will fade. Try to do activities you usually enjoy. Maintain a sense of hope and positive thinking.

❖    Staying Positive-We should remember that, even the situation is unpleasant now but it will pass. What you say to yourself is important. Listen to the things you are saying to yourself and change negative comments to be more helpful and realistic.

“Remember to maintain a positive outlook, no matter how grim your circumstances. This will end and we will be okay”.

- Sujan Dhakal
NOREC exchange fellow

Reflecting my Journey at Canopy Nepal - Sanjeev Bishwokarma, Graduate, Canopy Nepal Scholarship Program-FESSHIP

Sanjeev Bishwokarma, Picture: Canopy Nepal Archives

Hello All, I am Sanjeev Bishwokarma, a fresh graduate from the Canopy Nepal Scholarship Program-FESSHIP. I identify myself as a  tech enthusiast, which was my passion right from my childhood. As a young child from Jhapa, I loved learning new things and was always interested in doing something in the field of technology, now my passion as a tech enthusiast has become my career after completing my Bachelors of Science in Computing (Hons) at The British College, where I got transferred me from The Softwarica College of IT & E-Commerce after completing my diploma studies there. I still remember that one fine day after my high school, when I met some social workers from Australia who visited Nepal, realized my interest and passion towards technology, thereby supported me as a Friends of Nepal Adelaide Inc.(FONAI) Scholar, which was largely dealt by a focal person based in Nepal. As time passed, FONAI partnered with the Children’s Future Fund who covered my university fee.   

Later, a need of making scholarship more systematic and accessible to help many other students like me was realized by FONAI and it formally partnered with Canopy Nepal for the launch of the educational scholarship program, commonly known as FONAI Educational Scholarship Program in 2018. I remember the day when I met members from my new family, Canopy Nepal, who would be helping me with my studies hereafter. This new family, Canopy Nepal, made sure I always grew and had a communal feeling. All the other scholars, who I now consider my brothers and sisters, met every month on the first Saturday to share our monthly updates and plans, reflect on our progress and help each other. And it was not just it, I remember, the management team always made sure we were growing through the training and workshops of our choice/need which made us more confident, matured and professional while also ensuring that we were well refreshed through refreshment programs such as futsal, bowling, and dinner organized by them from time to time. All these activities made us feel at home around our family which really helped to boost morale and self-confidence. I feel the program is systematic and well managed by the management team.

Sanjeev with his fellow scholars in a futsal tournament organized by Canopy Nepal

After my graduation, I started taking different works related to technology and spreading my knowledge to young minds. Previously during my undergraduate studies, I completed a 6-month internship at Spiker Solutions where I got an opportunity to refine my web design skills. Utilizing my internship skills,  I developed a website for a Montessori called Little Hands School. Currently,  I have been working as a computer teacher at Baby Land English Secondary School where I share my technological knowledge with young children to inspire them in the field of technology. 

In the end, I would like to thank all those beautiful souls for doing this great work to help the needy and underprivileged children to pursue their careers. I really don’t know where I would be if I was not supported by all the beautiful souls to pursue the Bachelor’s degree as per my interest. I am very much grateful to FONAI, Canopy Nepal, and CFF for supporting me and I wish to make you all proud one day.

Sanjeev in his felicitation program organized by Canopy Nepal

Written By: Sanjeev B.K.

Edited By: Deekshak Bhattarai and Pransu Khakurel (Canopy Nepal)

Canopy Nepal is a team of visionary youths working in the field of education, skill and leadership development, diversity and inclusion. Canopy Nepal works in collaboration with like-minded individuals and organizations to achieve the targets of empowering the organizations’ beneficiaries with skills they need to bring about positive change in the community. Canopy Nepal aims at creating an environment where individuals have a choice to equip themselves with skills and abilities of lifetime importance. The organization intends to promote intercultural understanding among diverse groups by means of various programs