STAR seventh batch: 14 graduates, including six young people with Down syndrome
Graduation date: Saturday, 12 September 2026 · Baluwatar, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Ward No. 4
Fourteen new graduates in Kathmandu are ready to grow mushrooms for income. The seventh batch of the STAR Project trained young people with Down syndrome alongside their parents, and celebrated with a graduation ceremony on 12 September 2026.
Who took part
- 14 participants completed seven days of hands-on mushroom-farming training.
- 6 are young people with Down syndrome.
- 8 are parents, who trained alongside them.
Training parents and children together means families can keep the work going at home. Parents can guide their children towards self-employment and income-generating work, building self-reliance for the whole family.
The training is part of STAR’s wider programme, Empowering Persons with Disabilities through Organic Vegetable Farming, Animal Husbandry and Vocational Skills.
The graduation ceremony
Participants presented what they had learned and their plans to continue mushroom farming as a livelihood. They thanked the trainers and organising team for their guidance and support.
Rtn. Mahendra S. Rawal, Project Steering Committee Coordinator and RCP-KPAD member, chaired the programme. The guests were:
- Mr. Nabin Mainali, Ward Member, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Ward No. 4 (Chief Guest)
- Rtn. Rabendra R. Pandey
- Ms. Shila Thapa, Chairperson, Down Syndrome Society of Nepal
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 Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Ward No. 4, and our coordination partner, the Down Syndrome Society of Nepal and Ms. Shila Thapa, who also provided the training venue.
Congratulations to all 14 graduates. Completion figures describe training participation; income and livelihood outcomes require follow-up.
Sources: ADSoN Facebook post, 13 September 2026; Rotary District 3292 project register. Photos: STAR seventh batch graduation album.
