I loved playing games, watching cartoons and reading story books as a kid. I used to get all my homework done but wasn’t good at studying. One day, a teacher asked me a question which I couldn’t answer. Then she compared my studies with my sister’s and said that I was nothing like her. I started to study her subject seriously to prove her wrong but I realized that studying wasn’t that hard after all. The same year I scored 78% in the second terminal exam and it really hiked my confidence. When SLC was just around the corner, my father passed away. It left me emotionally and mentally traumatized but I didn’t give up studying. Earlier, whenever I scored good, I used to run up to him to show my paper and he used to compliment me. I could see that pride on his face. I thought I could still make him happy by studying hard and scoring well although he was no longer with us. My mother is a strong independent woman. She looks after the technical institute in Dang which my father had founded…

Living in a joint family, I was a happy kid. I received love, care and support. Materialistically, I been through a life where my parents were sometimes not able to afford toys for me and my sibling but I have also seen a life of a middle class family where I can fulfill all my desires as I wish. I have always been the type of a kid who talks less and listens more. I have always loved books and stories. I was a frequent visitor at my school library and saved money to buy at least one book every year. I am a homebody and enjoy doing things around my house. However, I do like traveling to new places especially surrounded by nature. I have been a student that doesn’t stand out in the crowd but hardworking and sincere. Most of the time of my school life was spent either in the library or in the classroom reading books. As I was neither talkative nor active inside the classroom, teachers found it difficult to remember my name. Most of them knew me either because I cried a lot during my …

For most part of my life, I followed my elder sister. I liked what she liked and hated what she hated. It was not until she went to India to pursue higher studies that I discovered things about me, things that I liked and hated. My family along with my teachers have played a significant role in my student life. I always loved the subjects taught by good teachers. A good education has given me the ability to understand the thought process of people, and where they are coming from when they say or do something. It has also helped me discover creative and innovative things that people have created all around the world. These have shaped me into what I am in terms of how I think. One of the things I remember about the first meetings with Teach For Nepal is how everyone was joking with each other and how comfortable everyone made me feel. My interviewer wore a smile and was supportive in helping me understand my own answers. The thought of giving back to the society and being a mora…

To shape me into what I am today, a good education has an immanence role. The extra activities of school helped me to think wisely in day-to-day life. I think because of my good schooling/education I was able to pursue higher education. Above all, a good education has ingrained a sense of discipline in me. Despite having a good education myself, I was always concerned about the state of education in Nepal. As I was studying in India, I saw the plight of migrant workers there. Upon interacting with the migrant workers I came to know that they were compelled to work in such harsh situations for two reasons: lack of education and poor economic conditions. One day I got a chance to attend a program organized by Teach For Nepal and found that TFN is working to solve education inequality. I got to understand more about the Fellowship program that day. I realized that if I were to join the Fellowship, it would provide me with the chance to give education to underprivileged children. Through…

Teach For Nepal has been my destiny. Coming across this fellowship, I immediately applied for it. I am really excited to go to a school as a teacher and help hundreds of students’ pursue their dreams. I changed nine schools in my life from primary to higher secondary, and even between public and private schools. This has made me realize the importance of the learning environment and having great teachers. I found it much harder to study and receive an education in public schools. This experience made me contemplate a lot. Why is there such education disparity in my country? Why couldn’t I study in public schools properly? This is why I call Teach For Nepal my destiny, because I am not only seeking answers to my questions but I am also trying to provide a quality education to public school students.

I was born in a village of Nuwakot district. I studied in public schools from Grade 1 through the end of my Master’s degree. After completing my higher secondary from Nuwakot district, I came to the capital for further studies. Sometimes I taught as a teacher, and I worked in different private companies. At one point I was an employee at a trading company. My experiences have taught me to work hard under any conditions. I came first in my class during my school life. I was not happy being first because most of my friends failed – I think because of our teachers. I used to think that if I were a teacher I would apply methods they weren’t using. I was encouraged by my friends and I made the decision to become a good teacher at that time. This led me to Teach for Nepal, and to apply. I learned more about the values and about TFN through the selection and training period. I am proud of my struggles, courage and continuity in working hard. I have the capacity to face anything in my w…

My name is Samiksha Adhikari. I was born in Hetauda, and moved to Kathmandu when I was 3 years old. I have been living here since then. My overall experience as a student was positive. Learning was always fun, and I was able to spend time with my friends. I was always allowed to make my own decisions, which meant I went through both good and bad phases. But looking back, I think who I have become today – able to stand proud despite some failures, and confident in the love I have from my familiy, friends and my precious students – is my greatest accomplishment till date. Teaching has always been a passion for me, and I wanted to take part in a challenging mission. I always wanted to do something for my people, for my society and for my country. Seeing the Fellowship vacancy was the first step to fulfilling these desires. I never had any second thoughts. I used to think of it as a teaching job, but now I can say it is more about grooming yourself and transforming other people’s …

It’s always tough to be away from home for a long period of time. I spent my nine years of school life in hostel. Being away from home, I was shaped in a different way; to be humble, disciplined, and less talkative. After completing SLC, I decided to stay home for two years for higher secondary education. Following the trend, and my parents’ wishes, I left for the US for my further education in 2004. Once again, I left my home. I didn’t only leave my home but also my country, my culture, my people, and my language. Being away was not a big deal for me then. The real challenge was the adjustment; adjustment with new people, new culture and new educational system. But slowly I was able to adjust with the support from my friends and seniors. Then my concern was my education; I had seen many friends who skipped classes for work and dropped out of college eventually. But I completed my undergraduate studies and I felt accomplished. I also got a nice job after college but after completin…

My father left his village at the age of 14 with just 50 paisa. He worked as a security guard so that he could provide for our family. Growing up, I never had the privilege of going out for adventures with my friends even though I wanted to travel. Just like any parents in Nepal, they dreamed of me having a government job which is pretty much like winning a lottery, you’re set for life even if that means you are terrible at the job. During school, I barely passed any subjects and was never competitive as my mind used to wander away as soon as the teachers start reading the book. I took tuition after school but that didn’t change my grades until Ramesh sir started teaching us English. His classes were always pleasant to be in and his teaching methods were interesting and hands on. Though he was an English teacher he was great at teaching science as well as math. The more time, I spent learning from him, the more grades started ascending towards hundred. As a Teach For Nepal Fellow, I…

I learned from my parents was that life is a battle, and knowledge is the only weapon to win it. My life’s philosophy is mostly guided by my father’s direction. According to him, people who work hard stand out amo ngst the crowd. Highly motivated to become a doctor, I took Biology as my major in high school. As responsibilities took over my dreams, I changed my career path and ended up studying Nursing in India. I believe that all the hard times come in our life to make us strong and to realize our true potential. In spite of all the challenges of a new place, faces, culture, language and food, I gave my best without losing hope, and I was able to keep working hard and top all my exams. I believe quality education helps people dream big and follow the right path. The first time I heard about TFN’s mission, I decided that it could become my path for supporting and helping the needy. I have always felt that inequality in education has stood as a barrier in the country’s developme…