I joined Teach For Nepal to prove my mom wrong,” when I saw this in Swastika didi’s story, I was very stunned because my reason is somewhat similar to it. During my parents' time education was less important to earn a living. Now, they have the mindset that business is the most powerful profession and my sisters and I should do that. However, I have different plans for life, as I want to explore and learn to excel. This fellowship will allow me to explore my personal interests and plans. My parents were not supportive at the beginning and they are still not happy with my decision. While growing up I was taught to get satisfaction by helping others and I have grown passionate about it now. I really want to make a difference in peoples’ lives. It does not matter how much I earn, what matters is how satisfied I am. I hope to make my parents proud of me by excelling in this fellowship. Though they are sad today, I can’t wait for the day in which their eyes will glow with pride…

I was raised in a middle class family. Having been through a lot of things in life, I had to start my career early by teaching at local schools. Though I have years of experience in teaching, it was monotonous because I was not challenged to bring any change. After being suggested to apply for this fellowship, I was really confused. I went to the website and could not decide. It took a real courage to decide to apply and later when I was selected people around me were critical of my decision to join this Fellowship. However, I have realized that I must step up to bring change, and this fellowship has become my first step to bring social-educational reform. I dream of seeing 100 percent literacy in Nepal and that overlaps with the vision and mission of Teach For Nepal. Moreover, being in a rural area for two years of my life and teaching will be the best combination I could ever think of. I would be investing my energy for the betterment of the education sector while also p…

I was born in Thecho, Lalitpur, Nepal. I grew up in surroundings full of natural beauty. I completed my Master of Arts (Rural Development) in 2012, and succeeded in topping my year. My career started in the media field – through modeling. Thereafter, I started working in the field of education and social services. I have conducted different trainings on leadership, group management, and other related technical matters. In my professional life, I have been involved with different NGOs and INGOs. Previously, I served as President of the BVC Students’ Council, Bright Vision College, and taught Computers at Shuvatara School. I came to know about TFN from a member of the staff. Later on I checked Teach for Nepal’s official page and found it to be a very new and dynamic concept dealing with an essential issue in the Nepalese education system, to reduce educational disparities between public and private schools. I feel the movement is very much essential in the present context of Ne…

I am Rabi Maharjan from Chobhar, Kirtipur-14, Kathmandu. I was born and grew up in Chobhar in a small family, and I live with my mother and sister. I completed my SLC and +2 from public school and college, as well as my B.Ed (Mathematics) from Mangal Multiple Campus. I spent my childhood living within the limitations of low economic conditions. I have a keen interest in playing musical instruments. I was also a top student in the school. Up to this point, I would say I am most proud of being a Nepali and I’m proud of being an honest person. And of course, I am proud of being a TFN Fellow. The two other achievements that made me happiest were when I passed the SLC in high first division from a government school and completed my B.Ed. in mathematics from a public campus with top marks. Before I came to know of TFN, I was not so clear about my goals and vision towards my country. I was not satisfied about the quality of education given in Nepal. After seeing the vision of Teach for Ne…

I am from Ichangu Narayan, Kathmandu and I grew up here in Kathmandu itself. I completed my MBA from Anna University Tamilnadu, India under a Silver Jubilee Scholarship from the Embassy of India. Prior to that, I completed my BBA from ACE Institute of Management. Before joining Teach for Nepal I had interned at Prime Commercial Bank and Green Venture Pvt. Ltd. More than proud, I think I am happy about the following achievements. My academic accomplishments make me most happy. Even though I was just an average student in my school life I succeeded in passing my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees with distinctions. I am the first female graduate in my family. And finally, I wanted to be independent all my life. The completion of my Master’s degree with a full scholarship made me feel that I was stepping forward in my life in the way I wanted it to be. I came to know about TFN online. My first reaction was that it would be great if I could be part of this wonderful movement. I applied…

I am Rojee Maharjan, from the core of Kathmandu: Yetkha, Basantapur. I grew up here in Kathmandu itself. I completed my BA in Mass Communications from Intensive International College on a full scholarship, and I am pursuing my MSW from Indira Gandhi National Open University. I have worked as a social work trainee in KMC Ward 15 Community Development Committee, and for the past few years I worked as a QAS officer in Edu-Com, IT solutions for Educational Institutions. I am interested in working in the development sector and I want to work for the betterment of the community through teaching. I switched my studies from English and Mass Communications to Social Work, and I was in search of a place where I could expand my knowledge and experience the real world of social work. And when I came to know about Teach for Nepal, I felt as though this was what I had been waiting for. TFN’s mission – that one day all children will attain an excellent education -- was also an important reaso…

I am Rajan Maharjan. I am from Kirtipur, which is located in the southern part of Kathmandu. I was raised in a joint family within the Newari community, which I think has socialized me well. I was able to receive a private school education, which might have played a part in me get ing good marks as well. I studied science in my higher secondary, maybe because it seemed like the logical thing to do, but it was not a priority for me. Later, in my Bachelor’s level, I joined the Social Work stream (BSW). The learning was more practical, and suited me better. I helped found the Junior Social Workers’ Club in four schools– one private and three government schools. The purpose of this club was to mobilize students up to Grade 9 to be involved in social service. From this, I developed my facilitation skills, especially with young students. I also joined Help My Study Nepal, which works for education and scholarship support in different parts of Nepal. Through social work, I learned a lot. …

I was born in Ombahal, a small place hidden between the alleys of Patan. I am the second child in my family with an elder sister and a younger brother. I passed my SLC from Lalitpur Madhyamik Vidhyala in Mahalaxmisthan, Lalitpur and completed my higher level education from United Academy. I got my bachelor’s degree in business studies from Nepal Commerce Campus. In school, I asked and answered questions in every subject except math: math always bored me while science was the subject that I have always been interested in. My teachers were the reason I paid attention in classes. They guided me to be a good student; they were people I would always look up to. I remember one of my friends saying, “I appreciate you wanting to do social work but living in a village for two years? That would kill your social life.” I just laughed and didn’t reply because I knew what I had signed up for. I was confident about my decision to work for Teach For Nepal. The thing that made me nervous the mo…

Even though I did quite good during my +2 and Bachelor’s, I was weak in Math and Science in school. In school, I was a back bencher, yet wanted to be the center of attraction but teachers used to judge students according to our academic result. However, I liked speaking in the mass and my friends even liked the way I delivered speeches. My Social Studies teacher commented that I was speaking like a journalist. That’s when I decided that I would choose Journalism later in life; I would become a journalist who would be involved in changing the face of the nation. I was about to finish my +2 in which I tried my best in becoming good both in studies and in extracurricular activities. I joined a lifestyle magazine as an intern and I got a chance to work in a government owned institution. I wasn’t interested in the job though but earnings there helped me and my family financially. On the 29th month of work I came across a vacancy on a TV station as a news reader. I applied and they took …

“No sons, only daughters?” was the question my relatives always asked my mother whenever they saw her with me and my sister. Those words bothered me and I always wondered why everyone gave so much priority to sons. I used to look at my mother’s face to find out if she was upset too but she would respond calmly “Yes, only two daughters.” However, I felt that the question did affect her. Then one day while enjoying the view of beautiful sunset from the roof of my uncle’s house, I witnessed something weird on a neighbor’s terrace. A girl, apparently of my age, was beaten by her grandmother because she broke a glass while doing the dishes. “If you don’t learn to do your chores properly now, how will you take care of your family after marriage?” Unlike her brother, she wasn’t sent to school as her family believed that their son would look after them in future while she would be married off. I felt confused and scared. Being a girl, would I also have to face the same problem? If my parents …