“In the very computer lab set up by the Envision Education team, each lesson taught to eager students wasn’t just an act of teaching— it was a palpable extension of the bridge spanning the digital divide. With every click and code, the gap not only narrowed but seemed to close in real time.” The words of our mentor, Mr. Joe Fambro, perfectly epitomize our day of teaching at Koseli School.
After putting the finishing touches on the computer lab, we kickstarted our first session. The children simply couldn’t contain their excitement—they rushed into the room and jumped into their seats as soon as we opened the rusty metallic door. We first taught them how to turn on the computers, transforming the blank black monitors into a glowing portal into an unknown world of opportunity. The students were giddy with curiosity, their cheers echoing through the cozy classroom as they stepped onto the bridge we began to build: “Computer! Mouse! Enter! Backspace!” Hungry for knowledge, they quickly soaked up every skill we taught them. By the end of the lesson, the students were comfortable navigating the devices and had created beautiful digital artworks through an online paint software. Urmila, the gray-blue-eyed girl from the day before, drew an artistic house, and many other students created gorgeous works complete with complex gradients and names painted in bright colors. The older students even practiced creating, typing up, saving, and naming documents in Abi Word, allowing them to stride further across the bridge into the digital age.
Throughout the process, the VG Foundation team helped us film and troubleshoot, and the caring teachers at Koseli School translated for us and supported us in helping each student. Not only did we build bridges to connect the students to technological resources, we deeply connected across cultures with passionate, driven individuals dedicated to serving these precious students. These children have been through unimaginable struggles, and we never failed to be amazed at their unwavering smiles and eagerness to learn despite it all. Though the road to this point was challenging at times, the sparkle in their eyes and their limitless potential for learning made it all truly worth it.
While part of the team held lessons in the classroom, others bonded with the children through games and conversation outside. The time we had with each other was short, but the students’ outpouring love and excitement changed us for a lifetime. We hope that our connection can do the same for them— with each word, each hug, each key they press, each click of their mouse, we wish for them to move one step closer to realizing their dreams. During their free time with us outside, the students asked us about our aspirations and told us about theirs— we shared the room with future doctors, teachers, policemen, and army officers. They chatted with us about anything and everything, teaching us Nepali dances, trying out our cameras and taking selfies together, teaching each other Chinese and Nepali, and bonding over K-Pop stars, anime, and music. When we asked them about their favorite games, many shouted “Football!” and “Skipping!,” both of which they hilariously dominated us in. Suddenly, a few of the girls gently grabbed our hands with their small fingers. The yard was soon filled with raucous sounds of rhythmic clapping as they taught us an intense clapping game with seemingly no end. The scene was chaotic yet peaceful— laughter filled the air as we danced and roughed around with the running students around us, with Mr. Fambro being flooded by children gawking at his camera and Penny letting students cover her hands with signatures and adorable doodles. Just when we thought it was time to say our goodbyes, one little girl in pigtail braids put her small fingers into a fist around Amy’s hand. One by one, more students joined until we formed a circle of hands spanning nearly the entire courtyard. The children’s eyes glistened as we gazed and smiled at each other. We unlinked only to put our hands together into a giant star. Through our connection, we hope to help these special children shine as bright as possible as the stars we know they’ll be.
As we hugged and said our goodbyes to the students, music rang through the school. The teachers and students shuffled to form a circle and began to dance, with some talented students showing off their moves in the middle of the makeshift dance floor. Knowing this may be one of the last times we see these precious children in person, we hugged them even tighter and dragged on our goodbyes and finger-hearts as they left with a “We’ll miss you!” Though we couldn’t stay with them, we knew the tech hub we created, the bridge we built, and the love we shared would always remain with them and with us.
Picture Credit Mr. Joe Fambro
Wrapping up the day at Koseli, we visited Vishal Group’s office and had a chance to update Mr. TC Agrawal, Vice Chairman of Vishal Group, on our progress and first teaching days. Mr. Agrawal played an instrumental role in helping us make this year’s mission possible. As a team, we’re incredibly grateful for his mentorship and dedication to helping us make this year’s mission possible.
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