Launching Future Climate Leaders at the Greenest School in Nepal
Thursday, May 25, 2023
For the ninth year, Kopila Valley School celebrated graduation, and our young leaders are sparking community change through their volunteer and community efforts. At the “greenest school in Nepal,” these inspiring students have learned about environmental sustainability and cultural preservation along with the national curriculum, and they are prepared to lead their families and communities into the future.
About Kopila Valley
Why does graduation matter? Kopila Valley, supported by our global BlinkNow family, educates resource-limited students on a sustainably-built campus, using an outdoor, place-based garden curriculum as part of its Education for Sustainability. Students join sustainability clubs, initiate eco-conscious projects, and share eco-friendly practices with their families. Numerous community organizations and municipal offices are partners in the goal of creating a more sustainable community life.
We help people who have been previously marginalized to take leadership roles in their own community solutions, starting with high-quality education. We know this is a big deal. Keep reading for some glimpses into the lives of some of our students who are making positive change in the world.
Puskar’s Story: Learning Through Nature
Puskar is one such student who has taken leadership roles in the school and community. He says, “The Kopila Valley School feels like I am in nature, sitting under a tree with a book in my hand and listening to the howling of the wind as I read words from my book. Going to this school every day has empowered me to make informed decisions and take actions that contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world.”
Puskar was a member of a Sustainability Club while attending Kopila Valley. This group initiated projects like cleaning community spaces, planting 100 plants, collecting garbage, and conducting environmental awareness campaigns.
Currently, Puskar is involved in a group called HAMRO. With over 20 members, this group is a collection of students from every school in the Surkhet Valley. It started with just a few students who believe conservation activities are important and decided to educate others about the earth and sustainable life. The HAMRO group visited every school and college in the valley and hosted events to recruit new members. Now Puskar and others work towards managing waste and finding solutions to waste problems by collaborating closely with the local government.
He says, “I believe change has to be within you, and it should start with you. I want to conserve energy, manage my own waste, and then advocate for education about sustainability. I want to advocate for sustainable policies at local and national levels and support organizations working towards environmental and social sustainability.”
Puskar’s advice for others who wish to make a difference? “I would say remember that sustainability is a continuous learning journey, and there are always new lessons and practices to explore. Stay informed, remain open to new ideas, and adapt your lifestyle accordingly, to make a positive impact on the planet and future generations.”
Rekha Advocates for Change
Rekha has learned some real-life communication and advocacy skills while attending Kopila Valley School and says she is set on becoming “one of the most dedicated environmentalists in the nation.”
Rekha joined the Sustainability Student Ambassador club at the school and says this meant, “my school days changed forever. I was constantly learning about the sustainability features adopted at the school.” She also gave visitor tours and improved her communication skills. Now, if she needs to discuss an issue with a stranger, she does not feel scared because she has practiced adapting to many situations. Indeed, teachers and the principal say that Rekha is one of the most lively students to explain the green mission of the school.
As a member of the Sustainability Club, Rekha was a part of the group’s submission to the Zayed Sustainability Award prize, using a vermicomposting project they planned to teach to the community. Since Kopila Valley was selected as a Finalist in the Global High Schools category, Rekha and two other people were selected to represent Nepal and the school at the very prestigious Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
Rekha is now beginning college prep courses in order to study environmental science. She says, “The green environment at the school has helped me to gather the courage to protect nature in the future.” As for the future, she plans to keep protecting the environment. “I can see my bright future immersing myself in nature. I believe that I will come out to be one of the most dedicated environmentalists in the nation. Now I feel like nature wants me to protect it.”
Good News for the Future
As a result of the school’s environmental training and the actions our students are choosing, we are excited to see that the community has begun to manage waste more effectively, hygiene and mental health programs are increasing awareness of a variety of types of wellness, and students are growing in their global citizenship. This can only be good news.
A video tour of our green school is here.