Reducing School Violence in Pokhara, Nepal

During a three-day Alternative Violence Program, Basic Workshop with 26 public school teachers in Hemja, Pokhara, Nepal, one teacher shared something that deeply touched all of us.

“Many of my students come from abusive families. They are beaten, bullied, neglected, and emotionally hurt at home. When I ask them politely to do something, many do not listen. Sometimes I feel forced to shout or even punish them physically. How can I create a nonviolent classroom in this situation?”

As she spoke, many other teachers quietly nodded. They were carrying the same pain, the same questions, and the same hope for a better way.

Through the Alternative to Violence (Peace Ways) activity Events, Feelings and Needs and our exploration of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a powerful realization emerged: children cannot learn peacefully when they do not feel safe, loved, respected, and accepted.

That insight became a turning point.

Through honest conversations, personal stories, and experiential learning, we discovered that children grow not only through textbooks but through love, compassion, understanding, and genuine human connection. One moving story of a misunderstood child brought many of us close to tears. It reminded us that punishment may create obedience for a moment, but love and guidance can transform a life.

Teachers openly shared their struggles, fears, hopes, and responsibilities. Together we explored the roots of violence and created practical, nonviolent visions for building peaceful, caring schools.

For many participants, experiential learning was new and quite different from Nepal’s traditional education system. Yet their openness, courage, and willingness to reflect gave me tremendous hope.

This was more than an AVP workshop. It became a space for healing, A space where teachers felt heard, A space where compassion became stronger than judgment, A space where hope quietly replaced helplessness and many more.

Facilitating alongside Sharada Sharma, Sue Wozniak, and John Michaelis was a true privilege. Their wisdom, humility, and commitment enriched every moment of our shared journey.

This experience touched something deeply spiritual within me. It reminded me that peace work is not simply about methods or techniques. It is about meeting one another with humility, presence, understanding, and love.

My heartfelt dream is to nurture a strong and committed AVP facilitator team in Pokhara—a team that grows not only in skills but also in compassion, awareness, and inner transformation. A team that carries not only knowledge, but also the living spirit of peace.

Every child deserves at least one adult who believes in them. Every classroom deserves to be a place of safety. Every act of compassion plants a seed of peace.

If we want to reduce violence in our schools, we must first heal the hearts that carry unseen pain.

Peace begins with how we treat one child, one teacher, one family, one community at a time.

With gratitude,

Ram Paudel, AVP Facilitator, Nepal

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