Welcome Speech for the Opening Ceremony of NTCLC the Multipurpose Seminar Hall
At NaraTika Community Learning Center ( NTCLC )– December 14, 2024
Greetings and Acknowledgments
Namaste and warm greetings to all of you gathered here today—distinguished Members of Parliament, respected representatives from the provincial government, leaders from NGOs, members of the media, women, youth, farmers, teachers, my team of staff, and volunteers.
This is a day of celebration – opening ceremony of NTCLC, a day of pride, and, above all, hope. Together, we are not just opening the doors to a new building—we are opening the doors to countless possibilities for learning, growth, and transformation in this community.
The Dream That Sparked It All
Dreams are like seeds. When planted in the right soil, nurtured with care, and watered with determination, they grow into something extraordinary. Today, the Multipurpose Seminar Hall of the NaraTika Community Learning Center stands as the living proof of a dream that began more than a decade ago—a dream that was not just mine but ours.
But let us not forget that dreams require action, no matter how noble. They need hands to build, hearts to believe, and minds to overcome challenges.
ViN: A Bridge to Change
Let me take a moment to share the story of Volunteers Initiative Nepal—ViN. When I founded ViN in 2005, I realized that the challenges in our rural communities are like tangled roots. Pulling one root will not untangle the whole.
ViN was designed to address this interconnectedness through a holistic approach to community empowerment. We built our foundation on four pillars: Education, Health and Environment, Economy, and Basic Infrastructure.
From these pillars, we launched six transformative programs:
- Women’s Empowerment: Unlocking the potential of women.
- Children’s Development: Shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
- Youth Empowerment: Giving wings to dreams.
- Public Health: Building healthier communities.
- Environmental Conservation: Protecting our shared home.
- Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): Strengthening resilience.
These programs have allowed us to touch lives—not just touch, but transform them. Over the years, ViN has directly impacted more than 370,000 individuals across Nepal, built over 3,000 toilets, 55 ECD centers, 75 water tanks, schools, libraries, women’s business centers, and much more. We also established four cooperatives, each with 500 to 1,100 members. Additionally, we have created numerous youth and children’s clubs.
Our work started in the rural areas of Kathmandu, but we expanded in 2012 to Okhaldhunga—my hometown, a place dear to my heart.
Why the NaraTika CLC?
Our villages lacked a safe space to gather, learn, and dream together. Workshops were held under open skies or in borrowed school classrooms after hours. Rain disrupted meetings, and the cold stifled energy.
This community needed more than a roof. It required a hub—a beating heart for knowledge, connection, and growth. And that is how the NaraTika Community Learning Center came to life.
The center is named after my parents, Nara and Tika, whose values of education and service have guided me. My father, a teacher, dreamed of dedicating his life to uplifting this community. Though he could not see this center built, his spirit lives in every brick.
The Journey: From Dream to Reality
The road to building the NaraTika CLC was anything but smooth. It began with the generosity of an American woman named Christine, whose $25,000 donation allowed us to purchase the land and lay the foundation.
Later, with incredible support from TaiwanAid and MOFA and the help of Klaus of Vision Youth Action (VYA) Taiwan, we raised funds to build the first three floors. But challenges came, one after another.
Our first contractor abandoned the project halfway, leaving us stranded. Legal battles followed. Then came COVID-19, testing our resolve. But like a river that carves its way through rock, we kept going, inch by inch, day by day.
We completed the first three floors by January 2020. Since then, the center has become a hub for life-changing activities, providing computer training, hosting workshops, and welcoming learners of all ages.
What the Center Offers
Today, the NaraTika CLC is a shining beacon in Okhaldhunga. Let me paint you a picture of what we have built together:
- The Ground Floor houses a clinic, a computer lab, an exhibition area, and a pantry.
- The First Floor is alive with children’s laughter in the library and activity rooms.
- The Second Floor offers dormitories and a dining space for visitors.
- The Third Floor, which we inaugurate today, is the heart of this building—a Multipurpose Seminar Hall where dreams will take flight.
- The Fourth Floor, still to be completed, will add more dormitories to welcome learners and trainers.
Beyond the walls, our permaculture farm and garden, with over 180 plant species, serve as a living classroom for sustainable agriculture. The building also features eco-friendly innovations—rainwater harvesting, solar power, and systems for recycling greywater.
The Power of Unity
This center is more than a brick-and-mortar structure. It is a bridge connecting us to opportunity, a lighthouse guiding us toward a brighter future, and a testament to the power of unity.
But there is more to do. The journey is still ongoing.
What’s Next?
We need to finish what we started. Four key projects still need funding:
- Lift – (4 million NPR)
- A Smart music system (1.5 million NPR).
- An outdoor playground for children (4 million NPR).
- A community café and business center (15 million NPR).
- A science and technology center (2.5 million NPR).
- Specialized health clinic – (50 million NPR)
- Fix the landline on the north side – (6 million NPR)
These additions will transform the NaraTika CLC into a world-class hub for education and innovation.
A Looming Threat: The Landslide
But before we look to the future, we must address an urgent issue.
The road expansion on the north side of this center has caused a landslide, putting this building—and everyone who uses it—at risk. Despite repeated appeals to local authorities, no action has been taken to build a retaining wall.
This is not just about a wall; it is about safety and protecting the dreams that this center represents.
How You Can Help
You may wonder, “What can I do?” Let me tell you.
- Spread the word: Share the NaraTika CLC’s story with your networks and let people know what this center stands for.
- Use this space: Host events, workshops, and training programs here.
- Contribute: Every rupee, every hour, every idea matters.
- Advocate: Help us secure the retaining wall to keep this center safe.
A Shared Vision
In closing, let me say this: the NaraTika CLC belongs to all of us. It is not just my dream or ViN’s achievement. It is a shared vision—a beacon of hope that reminds us of what we can achieve when we come together.
Let us nurture, protect, and help it grow into something even more significant.
Thank you for sharing this journey with us. Let’s continue to dream, build, and transform lives together.
Namaste.
Bhupi Ghimire
Founder President
ViN
