By Cassie Jendzejec and Avi David, Boston, MA, USA
 Boston, MA, USA May 2010
In the spring of 2010, we hesitantly informed our bosses at schools and social service agencies in the greater Boston area that we would not be returning in the fall. We were off for an adventure to travel, explore, learn, grow and teach overseas. Destination: unknown. We knew in our hearts that we wanted to work on a project in which we could find personal enrichment while working towards a goal of sustainable and systemic change. The options …

As part of Social Studies curriculum, Grade Six and Seven students visited Hetauda Municipality Office and District Development Committee office on 2nd June, 2011 to gain the first hand experience on how these offices were formed; their roles and responsibilities; their future development plans; facilities provided to the citizens and challenges faced by those offices. We are pleased to see our students’ involvement in asking questions, observing, collecting information and taking notes!
Students of Grade 6 & 7 interacting with the officials from the Hetauda Municipality 
Ajaya Bartaula, information in-charge of …

49 children are taking part in NEST Children’s Camp at Prajwal School, Chaughada, Hetuada which started three days ago.
Pratistha Shrestha and Laxmi Shrestha, facilitators of the Campo said ” In spite of bad weather and thunder storm, the camp is going really well. Students have produced books, had filed trips. ”
Facilitators Cassie Jendzejec and Avi David, volunteers from the US said ” Students seem to be having a wonderful time and are really enjoying all of the activities”. “The original schedule has changed dramatically each morning but the facilitators have …

Dr. Mary Mckenna  launched a new initiative   to increase the quality of education at Prajwal School so that it can serve as a model laboratory school and anchor a series of teacher training projects.
” Inspire teachers”  aims at  inspiring teachers  to share and learn from the community of practice and promote inclusive and transformational education.
Specifically the aim of the current project is to appoint a local coordinator to oversee the implementation of the school reform through intensive coaching in effective teaching strategies that are child friendly.
Dr.  Mckenna has made …

Mark Scot, 29  of Vernon Hills and a manager at Golden Legs Running stores in Mundelein, Gurnee and Libertyville  is a  supporter  of Everest of Apples  and a   former JET   who returned home last September.
Mark is going back to Japan with seven local runners who will be racing alongside him in Tokyo Marathon on  28 February.  Mark is not  taking part in the Marathon for fun but he has a good cause. He is running for  Everest of Apples’ in support of  its fund raising campaign to help Prajwal Shiksha …

Dr.  Mary Mckenna, co-director of Tara Education, New York  returned to Prajwal School along with two volunteers  Cassie and Avi from the USA last week.  Cassie is a  trained music teacher and Avi is  a social worker by profession, however, both of them have teaching experience. Before coming to Nepal, they spent a month teaching in a school  in India . Cassie and Avi will work along side teachers from Prajwal School and neighbouring government schools in Makawanpur district by organising teacher training  and art workshops.
Dr. Mckenna  says “We have …

My  journey to Nepal was initially warranted from the work I was doing with a small grassroots organization called Everest of Apples in Aomori, Japan.  My colleagues and I planned to visit the Prajwal School in Chaughada, to personally witness the accumulation of work contributed over the past 8 years.  We were also invited as participants, to share some of our knowledge in education and the arts with the staff and students.
I fully anticipated being moved.  I expected to fuel my own passion for education.I knew I would be awed …

Namaste Prajwal School, administrators, supporters and friends!
My name is Dana Berte.  I live in Aomori, Japan, and I have been a member of the Everest of Apples charity since 2007.  Everest of Apples has had a long friendship with the Prajwal School, and after a few years of involvement, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to travel to Nepal to visit the school just a few short weeks ago.  Time flies!  I can’t believe that my trip is over already, but I was able to experience a great deal …

Prajwal School is committed to improving the quality of teaching and learning in Makawanpur district by offering teacher professional development opportunities. As part of a series of teacher professional development workshop, the school organised a day workshop on Understanding How People Learn   and Creating Dynamic Lessonsthrough a Whole Child Approach to Learning for lower secondary teachers at Prajwal School on 28 April 2010.

The workshop was facilitated by  Ms. Lisa Petro and Ms. Genevieve Murphy, Curriculum Coordinator Director and Co-director of Everest of Apples, Japan. Lisa has a Master Degree in Professional Studies.  Lisa is the Curriculum Coordinator Director of the Everest of Apples, Japan. She has been teaching English in …

Ms. Laxmi Shrestha, General Secretary of NEST and trustee teacher of Prajwal School  was given  Best Teacher Award of 2010 at Parents’ day of Prajwal School on 24th April 2010.
In recognition of her contribution to improve the quality of education, particularly  on early year education at Prajwal School, the school management gave her this award. The award comprises NRS 5000 and a letter of appreciation.
In an interview with NESTWORLD after receiving the award, Laxmi  said,” I am really happy today and feel that my hard work has been recognised by …