The grade 11 students of American International School – Dhaka (AISD) came to Nepal on 3rd March 2023 for their Nepal Discovery Week program. In a week-long program, the Borderlands Leadership School (BLS) conducted Leadership Development Program (LDP). The major highlights of the LDP were rafting, camping, environmental studies, hiking, Thamel visit with shopping and an excursion to Chitwan National Park. The activities conducted during the program were mainly focused on Adventure, Ecological learning and Nature appreciation.
On 3rd Mar, 2023, they arrive in Nepal and the Director of Borderlands Mr. Megh Ale welcomed them and gave a brief introduction about the program. On 2nd day, the AISD team along with the BLS facilitators headed toward the Gorkha for rafting on the Trishuli River from Charaundi to Mauwa Khola section. The required gears for the rafting were provided to the students and a safety briefing was done with practicing. At this rafting section, 3 major 3+ rapids were encountered named as, twin rocks, landslide and ladies delight. The rafting was wrapped at Adventure Apes Resort at the bank of the river, which was the campsite for the two nights. Different LDP and environmental studies activities were facilitated by the facilitators of BLS on the campsite. The Environmental activities were led by Mr. Rabin Bastola, Ph.D. Scholar/Environmentalist and the organized activities were Trishuli river health checkup, watershed model (we all live downstream), solid waste management, and know your direction. Both LDP and environmental activities were performed and for this, the required gears and materials were also given with the briefing. They also hiked up to the nearby village for around 1 hrs. On the 4th day, the team traveled to the Chitwan National Park, Sauraha. After reaching Sauraha, the students visited the NTNC animal Museum, a short jungle walk, sunset point and Tharu cultural dance show in the evening. The 5th day was scheduled for Chitwan National Park (CNP) excursion. In which they enjoy canoeing, bird watching, jungle walking, elephant breeding center, Tharu Cultural Museum and Jeep safari with Gariyal breeding center. In between these activities, the nature guide explained about the Chitwan National Park, elephant, crocodiles, birds, invasive species, ecology and nature of the National Park. During the Jeep safari inside the CNP, the students were able to see the One horn Rhinoceros, Elephants, Spotted deer, Peacock, Monkey, Langoor, Birds, jungle foul, and other animals and observed two types of forest Mixed riverine forest and Sal forest. In the evening, the students made the banner of their learning, observations and experiences of the overall conducted program. They also described about the theme of their banner. On 6th day after breakfast, all the team departed from the Sauraha, Chitwan to Kathmandu. After arrival in Kathmandu, the leisure time for the shopping was given to the students and then they had a good dinner at Northfield Café, Thamel. Every night, debrief of the program and the highs and challenges of the day were shared between the team and explained about the next day’s program. Likewise, in the evening of the 6th day, after dinner, the final debrief of the program and the certificate distribution to the students and appreciation to the School was done. The 7th day was the departure day to Bangladesh, Dhaka. Before the departure, the final wrap-up was done by doing a banner sign and group photo.
Overall, all the students enjoy the Nepal Discovery Week – 2023 and make wonderful memories for their whole life. We Borderlands Leadership School wish them a successful life ahead.