Steps towards community is the program organized by the Thames Community Outreach Program (CSOP). This program is designed for students to connect with different communities by exploring and interacting with the community and engaging in different comprehensive activities.
Within this program, Kritipur was the first community where 24 students of Thames and faculty members engaged in the guided community walk on Saturday, 4th April 2026. The community walk was guided by three educators from TU; Bajramani Bajracharya, Bharat Maharjan, Deepa Maharjan. All the participating students gathered in Thames and left for Kritipur. After reaching the main location (Tanani Stupa) students were introduced to the expert guides. Short Ice breaker was conducted and students were briefed about the program’s objective, importance and ways to explore the community through different lenses. Students were then divided into three thematic groups: religion, history and social interactions and groups with one expert guide in each group. Each group had a different route respective to their themes.
Group 1 explored the religious and cultural aspect of Kritipur with Mr. Bajramani Bajracharya where the students explored the archeological significance of the structures and artifacts with its relation to religion. Likewise, Group 2 delved into the social interaction within people of the community with Deepa Maharjan. They were informed about the contemporary social interaction within the community and about the history including the evolution and adaptation of interaction. They indulged in the architectural aspect of the community where all houses were joint in the past and had a common door inside. At last, the group 3 facilitated by Bharat Maharjan explored their route through the lens of history. They indulged into how history has been shaped after “unification” of Nepal, also delving into questioning how factually correct the history is and understanding the tragic war between the people of Kritipur and Gorkha.
After each group explored their theme with their respective route, they were all gathered at the end location; Uma Maheshwor Temple. Then the 3-4 hour community walk concluded with a short reflection, discussion and lunch in Joshinani. Students further engaged in community mapping organized a few days later where 3 to 4 students from each group traced the route they explored with their guides and highlighted the major landmarks or components in correspondence to their themes. The students then described what they learned, saw and experienced in the community walk with the help of the map they made. They explained the details, facts that were unknown to them and even constructive criticism and reflection passed among the peers.
Overall, this helped students understand the community better and look at it from a diverse lens. Altogether, this also aided in learning about the importance of infrastructures inside the community as well.
(Community Service Outreach Program (CSOP) is a vibrant platform where students are encouraged to actively participate in community service initiatives and explore creative ways to give back to society. CSOP is committed to delivering meaningful conversations and organizing impactful volunteer activities.)
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