Virtual School for under-privileged Nepali kids

Along with a couple of friends, I am launching a charity program called: Virtual Pathshala which means school in Sanskrit, for children in Nepal with limited access to quality education. And I hope to get your support.

How did this project get started? 

 

 

Well,I visited Nepal, my Mom’s home country, for the first time five years ago with my parents. While we were there, they pushed me to use some of my hard-earned money to donate to a local school there. At first I was reluctant but being there and seeing how happy those kids were to receive a small packet of school supplies, which we take for granted everyday, made me feel humbled. I saw the faces of the kids when they opened their new supplies and it made me feel very happy.

 

 

Ever since, I have been happily donating some of my savings to schools and elderly homes whenever I visit Nepal.

 

 

I also had plans to visit Nepal to teach kids over summer break. Unfortunately that didn't materialize due to the pandemic.

 

But lately, I have been wanting to do more, something more impactful and sustainable. I realized that my mom was just about my age when she left Nepal and came to the US to continue her education, which led her to a life full of opportunities. In Nepali culture, reciprocity is very important. What better way to give back than by helping Nepali children access the same quality of education that we enjoy here in the United States?

 

So while I was setting up my SAT prep program at Khan Academy an idea came to my mind. I knew from my time in Nepal that schools are always in shortage of qualified teachers. What if these schools were to be equipped with technology to enable kids to learn on their own? Under the guidance of a qualified supervisor, they would learn through free access to educational platforms like Khan Academy with some initial support to get them started and periodic oversight to ensure they stay on track. I chose to focus on a project like this for practical reasons: it is budget-effective and convenient to set up, and once up-and-running, this system can be mostly run independently by each school. So here I am asking you to make this project which I will be doing with the help of a few friends of mine, a possibility.

 

We have selected a small school, Divine Yog Gurukul, set at the foothills of the Himalayas, in a village called Machhegaun. We are working with a handful of children studying in a gurukul system, an ancient Indian education system where kids live a completely independent life under the guidance of a guru. These kids were brought to Gurukul from the poorest families in Nepal and given a second chance at life.

 

 

 

 

So now about what we need to get started? We are seeking donations totaling 2,000 dollars to get this project off the ground. Through your donations we will be able to access the following products to support the students.

1) Chromebooks + 36% VAT + Shipping  =  ~$1200 total

2) Internet access - $250/year

3) Access to Khan Academy - Free

4) Yearly supplemental programs for kids below 2nd grade and classes not covered in Khan Academy such as English for those who are not adept in it - $599 (for up to 25 kids)

6) School supplies - $150

Total Needed - $2200

Seeking - $2000

 

This project will serve as a pilot program for a broader charity campaign in the region. After establishing this initial project, we hope to roll it out to more schools in Nepal and India in the future.

 

Platforms like Khan Academy are an ideal way to bring education to isolated areas. A modest donation like yours can go a long way in making a difference in someone's life. Please help us make this project a reality for these children through your contribution. Thank you.