The activities carried out by ICRI-Nepal

ICRI-Nepal works with the school administrators and School Management Committee (SMC) to garner support for delivery of quality education within the school set-up. We organize periodic meeting/s with them to identify the causes of their weakness and thereby provide individualize support for her not only to score good marks in the exams but also for their overall development. Furthermore, we organize training and orientation sessions for the teachers to enhance their knowledge and skills in delivery for effective methods with specific lesson plans based on cooperative learning approach. We focus on cooperative learning approach, and most importantly, work with the subject teachers to help them deliver the educational contents in the most effective and appropriate manners in the class room set-up as well as introduce formative and portfolio evaluation systems on periodic basis. In the beginning, we conduct diagnostic tests in above mentioned subjects. Under the new approach, the trained subject teacher divides the whole class in to small peer led group consisting 4 students in each group. Each group-work activities have been designed with 5 Es (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluations) to assure effective peer learning achievement. The subject teachers are further trained on new techniques such as cooperative learning approach, demonstrative and discovery methods to have equal opportunity to their academic improvement as well as personal development. Also, we organize teaching/learning materials development workshops for the subject teachers out of the found (inexpensive) objects/materials. Our master trainers constantly mentor, coach and guide them to ensure best utilization of the materials at the class room set-up. Besides, we organize monthly meeting/s with the teachers to share problems, ideas and information to come up with appropriate solutions and strategies for further intervention.

The center of our program is the delivery of direct support and assistance (subject coaching/tutoring) for the girls. Each subject tutoring class is conducted for 40 minutes (3X40=120 minutes i.e. from 8:00 – 10:00 in the morning). The coaching/tuition classes are based on latest learning principles and experiential learning cycle. We periodically take achievement tests except the written ones of the girls to make sure that they continue to build up their understanding and enhance competencies for their overall development including grade promotion (pass through the exams they appear in). Apart from the regular coaching/tuition class, our ongoing research and experiences show that their participation will be highly ensured if we could additionally provide stationary supplies, uniforms, books and lunch for the girls. The coaching/tuition is provided by the highly trained subject teachers with major strategies like; individualized guidance, mentoring and support. We have observed in our ongoing program that the girl’s participation in the program is increasing (it went up to 42 from 24) and their internal term exam results have been improving with greater scores especially in the coached subjects. We have also been collaborating with community is a key program activity to raise awareness among parents and guardians and to help them realize their vital roles in helping their children while they are at homes. This activity has somewhat created enabling environment for the girls to focus on their study at homes.

Outcomes/Results:

We have obtained the following results after implementation of the girl’s education program in 3 public schools. A total of 115 girls of grade 8 have been benefitted from this program to date. The following are the outcomes;

• Transformed educational system from conventional method to cooperative learning method;
• Improved academic achievements of girls especially in Math, Science and English;
• Decreased dropout rates of girl child in grade 8 - 12;
• Ensured that the entire girls of the school get through the SLC examination with good division
• Prevented early marriage of girls;
• Assured to pursue higher secondary education (Grade XI and XII),
• Empowered the girls to be self - sufficient and self sustained in their later life;

Infant Care Facility Improvement [ICFI] Project

CFIP is an initiative implemented by under the guidance of and supported by International Child Resource Institute-Nepal This project aims at upgrading the health, hygiene and sanitation of the facility, revamping the internal physical infrastructure by upgrading lighting system, furnishing baby-room outlook, installing a sanitizer, a safe drinking water system (water foot pump), cribs for babies, creating an area where children of formative ages get adequate space for physical, mental stimulation, and overhauling the conventional practices of taking care of children by introducing state-of-the-art training delivery.s

One of the most remarkable developments in this project has been the initiation of a weekly training program offered to a group of “mothers” who have been taking care of the children for twenty years.About 16 of the “mothers” have been assigned to take care of approximately 65-70 children in dormitory-style spaces for the past few years, however they were not “formally” meeting each other to share their ideas and experiences, discuss issues and problems or involved in the planning and management of chores. Now the mothers are meeting on a weekly basis and are engaged in discussing the objectives of working in the orphanage. They are realizing their vital roles in the holistic development of a child. ICRI-Nepal has accepted the role of facilitating the program and is happy to continue this effort until the management of Nepal Children’s Organization /Balmandir becomes capable to take it over in future.

HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Treatment for Male and Female Prisoners in Kaski Prison and for Male Prisoners in Chitwan Prison

ICRI-Nepal in collaboration with Network for Children, Prisoners and Dependents (NCPD) accomplished the project on February 2010. The two year project started from February 2008 and was supported by United Nation Development Program (UNDP) and United Nation Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC).The main aim of the intervention was to aware the prison inmates about HIV/AIDS and its prevention. A Total of 684 prisoners benefitted from the program. The main intervention strategy adapted in order to accomplish the program were;

• Increase awareness and broaden understanding of prisoners and their family members on HIV & AIDS & STIs and promote the adaptation of safe behavior;
• Strengthen Prison Health System to increase access to Voluntary Counseling and Testing, STI diagnosis and treatment, referrals for ARVs, OIs & OST services;
• Upgrade understanding of the prison management authorities on the significance of prison based STIs, HIV & AIDS intervention program;
• Organization of occupational training and livelihood skill training for prison inmates to enhance participation in the program and support prisoners’ reintegration back to community;