I’m natively from Dolakha, whereI had my childhood schooling, but the remainder of my education took place in Kathmandu. Considering my education, I’m from government schools, where there were more than 60 students in each class. Overall, I was shy in nature, and there were few teachers and classmates that noticed me. I later became involved in musical events and grew to have different circles of friends. I came to know about TFN through one of my friends who texted me to attend a gathering at TFN office. As it was about teaching, and I was also teaching at the time, I was interested in joining the gathering. The first presentation I attended was given by Swastika Didi, the cofounder of Teach For Nepal. The way she defined “Faith and Injustice,” and related it to the education system, led me to apply for Fellowship.Then, I thought my only responsibility was to teach the children. Now I realize it’s not just a matter of working to improve education for students during the Fellowship…

My name is Shirijung Hang Rai, or ShiriXonga Hang. I was born in Lalitpur but started my school life in Bhaktapur. My mother remembers my first day of school life his way: “A very excited, restless child, dressed in white, hair combed, photos taken saying goodbye to his mother, only to fall in a muddy pit and ruin the day.” As a child I was very obstinate and restless, but I never had issues regarding my studies. I’m a student of Development Studies and English. I grew up aspiring to be in the army. But today when I have conversations with my mother regarding careers and life, I can see her happiness and satisfaction, and I feel that my life is meaningful. I would be proud to become a good son to my mother, if not the best. I have a strong love for my country and the rich history and culture we inherit. I have always wanted to do something meaningful for my country. I was just looking for an opportunity that would let me do so.That’s when I first encountered TFN and I…

Being the tenth child in my family, I always had brothers and sisters who looked after me and instilled good values in me. And with a twin brother by my side, the initial stages of my life were much easier than they otherwise would have been. I was born in Kathmandu and did my schooling in various good boarding schools in Kathmandu. Until Ireached second grade I failed a lot, but later I picked up as I was sent to hostel where emphasis was given on students getting good grades. I have been involved in various activities: recently I won Start Up Weekend 2013 and also represented Nepal in the Global Start Up Battle, where I made it to the Top 25 based on the number of votes others gave me. I am a talker. I talk a lot. So, I decided to be an RJ which I loved – I got paid just for talking! Recently, I volunteered at the Young Women Entrepreneur’s Summit (YWES). It was at an event held by YWES that I learned about TFN. As I was in my seventh semester then, I instantly made up my m…

I was born and raised in Kathmandu and basically spent my entire school life in a hostel. I felt like I obtained a good education from some of the best schools in Kathmandu. I was fortunate enough to have teachers who guided me throughout my school life. I am proud of the fact that I led a team of students organize my college’s first social event. We raised funds and donated clothes and materials to three different organizations. We were the first group to support Children Affected by AIDS (CABAs). We also supported Maryknoll (Asha-deep), an organization working for mentally challenged people and Navajyoti School, a school for mentally challenged children. As a social work student I also volunteered with Blue Diamond Society (BDS), Federation of Sexual and Gender Minorities Nepal (FSGMN) and Sexual and Gender Minorities Student Forum Nepal (SGMSFN). I later became the group leader of student interns/volunteers who organized the first Essay Competitionon LGBTI issues and helped m…

I was born where the first martyr Lakhan Thapawas born–Bungkot-2, Gorkha. I grew up in the same village, and completed all of my early schooling there. Currently, I am doing a Master’s in Education, majoring in English. I completed my Bachelor’s and +2 from Janamaitri Campus, Kuleshwor, Kathmandu. I am very much proud of my parents who sent me to school although they had a very difficult time. Had they not sent me to school, I would never have reached where I am today. I think it was in 2012 that I was skimming through The Himalayan Times, and first saw an advertisement for Teach For Nepal. I thought then that it was the right place to get involved, but I didn’t apply that year. The next year I read an article by Dr. Mana Prasad Wagley in the Op-Ed section of the same newspaper, about quality education and education injusticein Nepal. This played a catalytic role in my decision to apply this year. Teach For Nepal’s goal of ending education disparities in Nepal has really touched…

My parents are originally from Kathajor VDC of Ramechhap district, but I was born here in Kathmandu, where I grew up. Looking back at my 13 years of school I am really grateful to my teachers and friends. I hardly missed my classes and was good at my studies. However, I believe I still have a lot to accomplish. One thing I am proud of up to now is being able to follow my dreams to date. It was from Facebook that I first heard about Teach For Nepal, through a friend of mine. I was curious to learn some more about it and to see if this is what I really wanted to do. After learning more about TFN and knowing its objective, I was really drawn to work for those brothers and sisters who I believe need a chance to overcome the injustice they are facing. I am really willing to work whole heartedly to fight the unfairness along with them. Teach For Nepal has kept on surprising me. I initially thought this was a chance to work for social change. But now I am convinced I will be changing n…

I was born in Lubhoo, Lalitpur. Upto Grade 5 I studied in my village, at Mahalaxmi School. When I was 10, I became a Buddhist monk. For more than 10 years I lived as a Buddhist monk. Thus I stayed far from my home and gathered the experience of Buddhist life with other monks.I completed my S.L.C. level and B.A. level thus. But now I am leading a normal life. I was a good student, and had no problem in Maths and Science, which used to be tough for my friends, or any other subjects– but I was really weak in English. I think it was difficult for me to learn English because I studied in a government school and the knowledge and level of English among my teachers was also not very high at the time. Even up to the +2 level, English was a difficult subject for me. After my first Bachelor’s, I got a scholarship to study in Sri Lanka. There, I chose English Literature as one of my major subjects and completed with highest honors. I feel proud that I have finished my B.A. level in a subje…

I firmly believe in the saying “knowledge is power”. And I think I have grabbed every opportunity to share what I have learned. On the road of my belief, I got a chance to get involved in a small beauty contest in Dang. When I first walked into the auditorium with the hopeful participants, I saw nervous and confused faces. I was determined to give them something that they could always use – belief in oneself. On the final day of the pageant, I sensed they received more than just gifts and bouquets. Those confident faces, those beautiful smiles, and those capable girls: that was my biggest achievement. I first saw the ad of TFN in a newspaper and I wondered what if my job was to change the nation? The thought sent shivers down my spine and I asked myself, “Why not?” I have always been a responsible citizen and this fellowship came to me as an opportunity to fulfill my individual social responsibility. After having been accepted for the fellowship, I feel more like a driver of cha…

I was born in Kathmandu and I have done all my studies in this city. My early schooling was from a government school, Ratna Rajya Laxmi Devi Higher Secondary School. I was one of the brightest students in my school and did my 10+2 in science stream and Bachelor degree in Social Work and Rural Development. As an undergraduate, I have been involved in different local and international organizations as a trainee, working on diverse issues. One piece of research that I’ve assisted with was under Dr. Aashish Sinha, titled “Prevalence of Substance Use among Higher Secondary School Student in Kathmandu”. My real passion is quality education, and Teach For Nepal brings me closer to the goal of working in this sector. I am an independent person. I decide things for myself in my way. I have faced lots of challenges and from this I have learned that struggle, hard work and dedication towards work are the key to success. My struggle and belief in myself bring me to this stage, and I think Tea…