STAR eighth batch: 14 participants graduate in Chautara, Sindhupalchowk
Graduation date: Thursday, 5 November 2026 (19 Kartik 2083) · Mahadevtar, Chautara Municipality-11, Sindhupalchowk
Fourteen new graduates in Chautara are ready to grow mushrooms for income. The eighth batch of the STAR Project completed ten days of hands-on mushroom-farming training and celebrated with a graduation ceremony on 5 November 2026.
Who took part
- 14 participants completed the training.
- 6 are persons with physical disabilities.
- 8 are parents who trained on behalf of family members with disabilities who could not attend themselves.
The training is part of STAR’s wider programme, Empowering Persons with Disabilities through Organic Vegetable Farming, Animal Husbandry and Vocational Skills. It gives participants practical farming skills they can use for self-employment and greater economic independence.
The graduation ceremony
Participants welcomed guests with flowers, then spoke about what they had learned, what they had achieved and how they plan to keep growing mushrooms as a source of income. They thanked the trainers and organising team for their guidance and encouragement.
The morning programme ran from 10:00 am. ADSoN Project Manager Mr. Bharat B.C. compered, and Public Relations and Fund Development Manager Ms. Nirmala Gyawali gave the welcome. Trainees shared their experiences, every graduate received a certificate of participation from the guests, partners offered their best wishes, and the morning closed with a group photo under the STAR banner.
Rtn. Mahendra S. Rawal, Project Steering Committee Coordinator and RCP-KPAD member, chaired the programme. The guests were:
- Mr. Roshan Raj Giri, Ward Chairperson, Chautara Municipality, Ward No. 11 (Chief Guest)
- Rtn. Robert Rose, Founder and CEO, The Rose International Fund for Children (TRIFC) (Special Guest)
- Ms. Gina Rose and Rtn. Pamela Hiatt, TRIFC Board Members (Special Guests)
- Rtn. Khadak S. Bisht, ADSoN Executive Committee member and RCP member
- Rtn. Maheswari Bisht Rawal, RCP member
Partners
Rotary Club of Patan supports STAR through its KPAD Fund. The Ability Development Society of Nepal (ADSoN) implements the training, with funding and support from The Rose International Fund for Children (TRIFC) and Rtn. Santa K. Shrestha. We thank Chautara Municipality, Ward No. 11, for its cooperation, and trainee Ms. Sumitra Majhi for providing the training venue.
Congratulations to all 14 graduates. Completion figures describe training participation; income and livelihood outcomes require follow-up.
Sources: ADSoN report, 6 November 2026; Board meeting of 30 October 2026. Photos: STAR eighth batch graduation album.
