Every year, your participation at BSM helps support our efforts to promote reading all over Nepal. We host students and teachers from public schools in rural Nepal and the Kathmandu Valley for workshops and training sessions, and provide support for those teachers to hold Bal Sahitya Mahotsav events in their own districts.
Invited teachers and students are hosted for two days of the festival. On the first day, guests enjoy Bal Sahitya Mahotsav and students participate in interactive, book-based activities and workshops. In the past, visiting students were asked to make a visual representation of a story they had read to create a collage that they would take back to their school. In 2017, students were read a story written by our guest, Marcus Pfister author of Rainbow Fish, which had been translated into Nepali. Based on that story, they crafted their own props and acted out the plot.
On the second day, teachers come in for a separate training on how to put on BSM in their own districts. Trainers walk the teachers through activities that were conducted during the first day of the festival and help them think about what materials or resources they may need and how to properly utilize them for their own BSM. After the array of workshops and classes, these teaches leave the festival with an action plan. In 2017, schools were invited to a follow-up training to iron out the details. Starting that year, we also supported these mini-BSM with small start-up funds for materials. For the schools in Kavre, funds were given with support from the Shanti School Project's effort 'Bringing Literature to the Classrooms'. All other schools were supported by the Rato Bangala School.
On the second day, teachers come in for a separate training on how to put on BSM in their own districts. Trainers walk the teachers through activities that were conducted during the first day of the festival and help them think about what materials or resources they may need and how to properly utilize them for their own BSM. After the array of workshops and classes, these teaches leave the festival with an action plan. In 2017, schools were invited to a follow-up training to iron out the details. Starting that year, we also supported these mini-BSM with small start-up funds for materials. For the schools in Kavre, funds were given with support from the Shanti School Project's effort 'Bringing Literature to the Classrooms'. All other schools were supported by the Rato Bangala School.
Who have we brought to Bal Sahitya Mahotsav?
Year |
Districts and number of schools |
Number of hosted guests |
2016 |
Dolakha (1), Sindhupalchowk (1), Kaski (1) |
37 teachers, 180 students |
2017 |
Lalitpur (2), Jiri (1), Dhading (1), Kavre (6) |
30 teachers, 220 students |
As a result of BSM 2017's trainings, all six schools in Kavre have held their own Bal Sahitya Mahotsav and the other schools will be holding them in the coming months. The first festival was held on September 18, 2017 and was a result of the combined efforts of the Bhal Chandra, Laligurans, and Santi Niketan schools, supported by Rato Bangala Foundation and Rato Bangala School. The following is an excerpt of a report written by Rato Bangala Foundation:
Right from the entrance the air had a feeling of festivity attached to it. Most of the stalls for read aloud and educational games had already been set up and children were hurrying around to put the last minute finishing touches to the booths ... Other stalls included slam poetry, games etc. All members of the community were encouraged to visit the BSM along with parents who were happy to see their children participate in the interactive activities ... The children from each grade had either practiced for a skit or for singing and dancing. All performances were impeccable and flawless. The level of dedication put into the performances left no room for doubt about the hours of work that must have gone in during the practice. It was very encouraging to witness the BSM in Bhal Chandra.
Later that same month, on September 20, another Bal Sahitya Mahotsav was held in Bihabar School, also in Kavre, with the additional cooperation of the Kusadevi and Laligurans School, with very similar (and exciting!) results.
Right from the entrance the air had a feeling of festivity attached to it. Most of the stalls for read aloud and educational games had already been set up and children were hurrying around to put the last minute finishing touches to the booths ... Other stalls included slam poetry, games etc. All members of the community were encouraged to visit the BSM along with parents who were happy to see their children participate in the interactive activities ... The children from each grade had either practiced for a skit or for singing and dancing. All performances were impeccable and flawless. The level of dedication put into the performances left no room for doubt about the hours of work that must have gone in during the practice. It was very encouraging to witness the BSM in Bhal Chandra.
Later that same month, on September 20, another Bal Sahitya Mahotsav was held in Bihabar School, also in Kavre, with the additional cooperation of the Kusadevi and Laligurans School, with very similar (and exciting!) results.
Click through the slideshow to see images of Bal Sahitya Mahotsav 2017 in Kavre!