Building a Library | Making A Difference

SHASHANK SHRESTHA

Too many cooks spoil the broth. Whoever said this probably never witnessed the collective worth of a group work. Had the naysayer met the students from Ace Higher Secondary School, he would have a different story to narrate altogether. They help build a library of a community managed school from their own resources and hard work. A respectable library has risen from what was an empty class room with a black board announcing in vanity, 'Pustakalaya'. An achievement, isn't it?

The Ace Social Service Club bodes well with the statement 'an idea changes everything'. Top it with youth, enthusiasm, energy and vigor and it results into something tangible that can be and will be replicated in the times to come. "Initially we had formed a club to serve the society but we lacked direction," says Kritika Amatya, the club President. Their will and enthusiasm was put to track by Udhar Shrestha, their Associte Programme Coordinator. She turned their focus to the school Saraswoti Lower Secondary School, Khawa which nests far in the mountains of Dhulikhel.

Nearly half an hours' walk from the bus stop along the rugged trials of the mountains, the school went from a full government to a community managed school in 2005.

This was possible from a donation of an altruistic foreigner who donated nearly $18,000 to help built it. "I knew the school from personal contacts and knew it lacked a library. All I did was to point out the problem to them, the rest was their effort and dedication," says Shrestha.

Initiated by grade 11 and 12 students: Jini Agrawal, Bidha Sharma, Puja Adhikari, Nikita Agrawal, Manjil Shrestha, Anish KC and Kritika Amatya, their number has increased to 26 students who are voluntarily championing the cause. In mere two months they had collected over 700 books with an intention to establish a respectable library in the school. "It will be a phase-wise implementation," says Jini, the Vice President, adding, "We are going to follow up our activities and intend to visit the school regularly to keep track of things."

Donating few from their own private collection, the club bought some and had their friends and relatives donate some. "We also went to most of the major publications with a letter stating our purpose and a request for help. Most of them were very helpful and supported our cause whole heartedly," says Jini. "We managed to gather books and other materials worth Rs. 18,000," she adds proudly.
Majority of the books they had collected were text books with a few story books and other assorted books that completed their collection.

And it was on 11 February, the club transformed their vision into reality as they helped build the library. Busying themselves to helping in each other out eagerly, the atmosphere within the room was that of accomplishment and happiness. Even the principal Ramesh Kaji Shrestha was all smiles. "Their work, given their age, is truly a commendable one. Now our library will actually have books that will be useful for the kids," he said.

Started with a noble thought, the members of the Ace Social Service Club intend to make more from their efforts. Coveting it to be more than an after school project, the president of the club is positive that their work will not cease with the completion of their tenure. "After us the juniors will continue the work," she says.