A day's work can make a lot of difference

What difference can a day make, that too in the lives of children living in far away countries? The answer—quite a lot. This is what some Danish students were out to prove, as they visited the various Kamaiya camps in Bardiya and Kailali districts for what is popularly known back home as Operation a Day's Work (OD). Their effort seems to have an underlying lesson for students here in Nepal—they too can contribute to the nation if they are only willing to spend time on creative works rather than indulge in party politics. During the visit, the President of OD, Denmark, Ida Devald, Vice Presidents Agente M. Hansen and Rikke L. Poulsen explained to our representative how the concept of OD originated and what it is all about, and how they believe all this can make a difference in a big way. Excerpts of the interview:

Ida: OD is an organization of young high school students. Tens of thousands of Danish high school students every year leave their school classes for one day and engage themselves in raising funds for education projects in least developed countries like Nepal. On that special day, students take on all kinds of jobs. Some of them work in factories and supermarkets, while others tidy up old archives or do cleaning work in companies and homes. Some others make money by selling coffee and vegetables as street vendors. They also perform children's theatre shows written by students to earn money and some others work as babysitters. The money, which the students collect, is given to OD, which is later used for education project in a developing country. (This time Nepal is the project country)

Agente: OD wants to explain that people in least developed countries too do have aspirations and dreams. People here too deserve an opportunity to bring about changes. Public awareness in developing countries is low and some elite groups only disseminate knowledge. An essential objective of OD campaign is to inform Danish youth about the challenges and problems faced by developing countries. Furthermore, it encourages Danish youths to realize the gravity of problems in such project-countries. But, the students are free to decide whether to participate in fund raising event or not. If anybody does not want to work, he/she can go to school on that day. It is not a compulsion.

Rikki: OD produces several educational materials and organizes educational events as an alternative to usual teaching methods in Danish high schools. Teachers and other scholars assist OD in inspiring students to take part in discussions on issues concerning least developed countries, which motivates them to participate in the fund raising event. In Nepal’s context it depends upon how much we will be able to educate Danish students about the problems faced by ex-Kamaiya children in Nepal. We will try our best to tell them how important it is to invest in Nepal. We will be showing them slides and answer their queries in Denmark regarding the situation of ex-Kamaiyas.

Ida: OD is not a Danish concept. It originally emerged from Sweden. Swedish high school students founded OD in honor of then United Nations Secretary General the late Dag Hammerskjold. Hammerskjold is known around the world for speaking up for the rights of the oppressed people. Swedish high-school students decided to found a day of solidarity in his honor with the motto "Give a Day for Dag." The idea spread to the rest of Scandinavia under the name of Operation Dagsvaerk. Danish high school students too then, adopted Operation a Days' Work.

Agente: Nepal’s political situation has affected civilians adversely. Especially, poor people like ex-Kamaiyas have been facing severe problems. The government has given priority to security but it should realize that only giving emphasis to security does not help solve the problems. The intellectual circle along with authorities should know why the Maoist insurgency has taken such a form. Poverty and dissatisfaction are what frustrate the youth. For instance, ex-Kamaiya children are deprived of education and the youths here are unemployed, which also must have contributed to insurgency. The problems of every minority should be solved. Priority should be given to reducing poverty and to educating the people.

Ida: Well, education is the only way towards success and it can bring change, although education and employment to ex-Kamiyas are co-related. Also, it is crucial to extend helping hands to the needy children in least developed countries like Nepal. We are investing in education of this group but the government of Nepal should come up with an integrated approach to solving the unemployment problem as well. However, children should understand that education is important and it is fun to read. Until and unless people know how to read papers, they will not progress. To create awareness people must read papers then only can they participate in national issues. This can bring change. In Denmark, civic society is strong because everyone reads newspapers. But, here, the civic society seems weak. We hope that one fine day ex-Kamaiya children will learn how to read papers so that they can make their parents and other family members aware. This may lead them along the right direction.

Agente: Firstly, they should understand what school is all about. You do not need a good school building. Education can be imparted anywhere but classrooms should not be overcrowded like in Nepal. Parents should realize that if they want their children to have a different future, they should send their children to school. They should know the importance of educating children and make sure their children are given quality education. People here should also learn to participate because participation is the key to democratic exercise. Youths in Nepal should know their own way to solve problems related to education, as the problem here may not be similar to the problems we have in Denmark. Meanwhile, politicians and the authorities concerned should delegate powers, which now are centralized. Nepal has a high level of bureaucracy, simplifying which is the best way towards development.