Kavyashree grew up in Kathmandu in a very difficult home where her childhood was marked more by fear than by safety, and a quiet resilience she built largely on her own. From grade 7, everything shifted: she joined Sathya Sai Shikshya Sadan, a community-based residential school whose philosophy of human values of truth, duty, peace, love, and non-violence, which gave her a different kind of education than she had known. The teachers there appreciated her novels, her enthusiasm, her handwriting; they gave her space to present papers, compete in elocution, and feel seen in ways she hadn't been before. She topped her class, performed, emceed national youth conferences in Lumbini and international conferences in Puttaparthi, and carried that formation into St. Xavier's College, where she completed her Bachelor's in Psychology and Social Work. When her parents separated, and she failed her grade 11 Physics exam, with a year lost, compounded by COVID, she did not disappear. She taught tuiti…

I want to join the Teach For Nepal Fellowship because I know what it feels like to grow up feeling unseen, unheard, and not good enough—often comparing myself to others and feeling like I didn’t belong. But over time, I learned to face those insecurities, embrace my voice, and find strength in my vulnerability. These experiences have made me deeply empathetic toward students who may be navigating similar challenges. I want to be the kind of teacher who helps them feel seen and valued, who listens without judgment, and who believes in their potential even when they can’t see it themselves. What draws me most to Teach For Nepal is the humane side of education—the opportunity to connect with students in a way that uplifts their spirit and sees them as humans with stories, lives, hopes, and dreams. I’m inspired by TFN’s mission to build classrooms rooted in compassion, leadership, and equity. For me, teaching is also about creating safe spaces where students feel brave enough to ask ques…

The most important person in my self-development has always been my mother. One defining moment that deeply impacted me was her time in Sindhupalchowk as a school inspector shortly after the earthquake. Despite the devastation, she led psychosocial counseling for students and teachers, helped distribute relief, and was deeply involved in rebuilding efforts. Her commitment to service and her ability to lead with compassion and strength have always inspired me. It was during this time that she came into contact with Teach For Nepal, which introduced me to the Fellowship at an early age. For a long time, I didn’t think I would apply. However, after years of academic routine, I began to crave something different—something that challenged me beyond the four walls of a classroom. Teach For Nepal felt like the right step, offering not only adventure and real-world learning but also a meaningful way to give back. I look forward to being part of a network of passionate individuals, gaining…

Pooja grew up in Kathmandu, the child of two self-made parents: a father who drove long routes across the country and a mother who ran a small kirana store, both of whom had come to the city young, built their lives through their own hands, and poured their belief into their daughter's. She was a happy, independent, curious child who saved money toward small goals and had her wins celebrated, questioned everything her teachers said, and once told her science teacher with full confidence that she was going to be an NBA player. Books were always there, always central. A teacher once confiscated a novel before an exam. She chose Psychology for her Bachelor's at Premier College because it was never a question for her: people, their inner worlds, and the stories they carry were what she had always been most drawn to. Pooja comes to Teach For Nepal not from a dramatic moment of calling, but from a steady, honest desire to step outside the small, privileged bubble she has lived in, to under…

I take the greatest pride in my personal transformation—from a shy, introverted individual to someone who is now confident, outgoing, and socially engaged. This change was shaped by the education and guidance I received throughout school and college. However, my journey with education hasn’t always been smooth. I still remember how, in Class 8, I was punished for asking, “Why can’t we feel the Earth spinning if it’s moving?” I learned early on that not all teachers empower students equally. Some uplift and inspire, while others discourage and diminish. These personal experiences have shaped my motivation to join Teach For Nepal. I want to be part of the change in the Nepali education system and help build classrooms where curiosity is celebrated—not punished. As a TFN Fellow, I look forward to growing both personally and professionally, learning meaningful life lessons, and becoming a source of inspiration for others. What fascinates me most about TFN is the journey itself: the deep …

My own educational journey has deeply shaped who I am. From the opportunities I received in school, to the push to pursue high school, and the evolving perception of education during my bachelor’s degree. Through these experiences, I came to understand how transformative quality education can be in shaping a person's life. That’s why I believe every student deserves the same access to quality education. Throughout my career in the tech field, I always was searching for a deeper meaning for my work. I want to take on challenges, explore new possibilities and determine how much I can push myself. Teach for Nepal is bringing all of that, plus a larger movement to build equitable education that I want to be a part of. I want to contribute meaningfully to build an equitable education system for all.

I have many reasons for wanting to pursue the Teach For Nepal Fellowship, but the most significant is the opportunity to stay in Nepal and contribute to my country’s development. This aligns with one of my core values, and I feel deeply connected to the need to make a difference here at home. Additionally, my family is an important part of my life, and I have responsibilities toward them, which is why I don’t wish to go abroad. By staying in Nepal and contributing to my community, I believe I can make a meaningful impact while remaining close to my loved ones. Looking ahead, I aspire to work in the government sector, particularly at the policy level. I see the Teach For Nepal Fellowship as a stepping stone that will provide valuable insights into the challenges and needs of Nepal’s education system. The fellowship will offer firsthand experience, enabling me to understand how policies can be effectively implemented and how they impact communities. This experience will be crucial fo…

Growing up in a community where discrimination based on caste was deeply ingrained, I had limited interactions with children from other communities, especially because my family belonged to a lower caste. This sense of separation and prejudice was further reflected in my school, where caste-based teasing among students was common. These experiences had a lasting impact on me, shaping my perspective on inequality and injustice. Unfortunately, my teachers played a significant role in reinforcing this environment. Instead of offering guidance and support, many of them were dismissive and failed to foster a positive or encouraging learning atmosphere. Ironically, it was these very negative experiences with my teachers that ultimately inspired me to apply for the Teach For Nepal Fellowship. I realized that I could be better than the teachers who failed me as a student. I want to become a teacher who empowers students, helps them grow into better versions of themselves, and fosters an envi…

Nimesh grew up in Tarkeshwar, Kathmandu, in a family rooted in agriculture — people who worked the land and understood, in practical terms, what it meant to depend on it. He was a simple and curious child who found joy in learning, and carried that curiosity through a public school education where he sat in the back of the classroom, observed the world around him, and quietly developed a sensibility that would later take him toward writing stories and poems. Being bullied at a private school was a turning point that left a mark — not a wound he carries with resentment, but a lived experience that gave him a particular understanding of what it feels like to be invisible or dismissed, and what a different kind of environment can do to a young person. He went on to study Agriculture at HICAST, drawn to the connection between land, community, and livelihood, and it was listening to TFN alumni speak about their fellowship experiences that first pulled him toward education. Nimesh joins the…

My childhood, shaped by frequent relocations, was filled with academic discipline and a quiet determination to excel. These experiences, along with the subtle gendered injustices I witnessed in school, planted the seeds of feminism. I encountered my fair share of deeply biased teachers, as well as those who were encouraging. These experiences led me to reflect on how education, when supportive and inclusive, can transform lives. I recognized the privilege of attending schools that prioritized education and student development. A strong education has opened doors to opportunities that have fostered my growth, shaped my unique perspective, and helped me maintain my individuality. The Teach For Nepal Fellowship is an opportunity to merge my academic background in psychology, my passion for community service, and my dream of making a meaningful difference. The ability to positively impact children's lives is the primary reason I pursued this fellowship. Additionally, it allows me to un…