Written by Aji’s Intern Sumegha Shrestha

After a successful knitting and crocheting workshop at Nirmal Batika Academy last year, we organized another workshop this year on February 15, 2020 at Paropakar Orphanage Girls’ Hostel in Bhimsensthan, Kathmandu. Paropakar Organization which manages Paropakar Orphanage Girls’ Hostel is one of Nepal’s earliest NGOs founded by social worker Daya Bir Singh Kansakar. This workshop was made possible by a grant we received from IFAD Staff Help Fund for which we’re very grateful!

For this event, we were thrilled to have talented and skillful Aji’s makers 68 years old Shiro Moktan, 61 years old Shakuntala Rana, and 84 years old Ram Kumari Shrestha, who taught a total of 25 girls from grade 9 through 12. Ram Kumari was accompanied by her grand-daughter Saina Shrestha and daughter-in-law Rachana Shrestha.

During this two hour workshop the girls learned the proper way to hold needles, make chain patterns and other basics of the craft. The girls were very excited and showed great interest in learning this craft. It was equally joyful and exciting for our elderly makers to share and pass on their skills on to the younger generation. Although for some of the girls, it was their first time holding knitting needles, due to their intense curiosity and quick learning attitude they were able to grasp more advanced knitting techniques beyond the basics in the matter of hours.

 “After getting the required supplies, I would love to learn more and knit during my free time. I can utilize my free time and along with that I will be able to gain some skill” said Sarala Karki from grade 12. After the workshop, the girls were able to keep the knitting and crochet needles and yarn for themselves. Sabi Luitel, a teacher at the orphanage added, “The girls had great fun learning. I had the opportunity to learn as well! Please bring us more programs of this kind as our girls get to learn new skills and have fun at the same time.”

This workshop is another great example of the eagerness of both the young to learn from their elders and for the elders to pass on their skills to the young generation. We at Aji’s are thrilled to be able to provide a platform where such intergenerational exchange can take place. Along with the knitting and crocheting workshop, the young girls also got a chance to participate in a #AskAnAji session where they got an opportunity to ask questions and learn from life experiences of Aji’s makers.

Special thanks to Nirab Tuladhar for helping us capture this event in beautiful photos and video. Click here to watch the video.

Sign up to our email list to hear about future Aji’s workshops!

More images from the event below. Photos by Nirab Tuladhar.