I am Sujit Rai currently living at Thaiba, Godawari. I started my career as a Primary level teacher in a school and have been involved in the field of education since then. I always desired that all the children of Nepal would get easy access to practical education that supports for holistic development in an age-appropriate way. I am very passionate about putting some
efforts on this.

With years of experience in teaching and working with schools, I have understood that Pre-primary and Primary levels are the foundation and thus highly impacts for the further education. Saathi Teachers Programme (STP) works for the betterment of Primary level education via continuous support through Saathi teachers and that is what pulled my attention towards it. As a new Program Coordinator, I feel privileged to be in this great mission of making primary education better and provide some contribution.

STP has a dynamic and competent team, each with unique attribute. I have been learning a lot from them. They are very supportive and welcoming. On my visit to the programme communities, I have found the programme very effective and providing positive impacts in the communities. I am encouraged by the energy and dedication of our valuable Saathi teachers and I am moved by the stories shared by them. The community is also positive about the programme and the hard works of the Saathi teachers. I anticipate diverse positive impacts of this programme on the children, education and the local communities and that this appreciable programme will reach out to more parts of Nepal.

Aruna Shrestha Karki has a degree in Environmental Science and is currently working as a Teacher's Development Coordinator for Tripurasundari Cluster at Saathi Teachers Programme. 
Aruna writes: “Growing up as a student in a government public school in Nepal, I often felt underprivileged in terms of educational resources and opportunities. Looking back, I still remember that teachers focused on students at the top of the class or those at the bottom. The average students often felt left out and invisible in the classroom. This experience has driven me to work with underprivileged students since my early teenage years. I believe that every student deserves to be seen, heard, and supported, regardless of their academic standing. With these experiences, I felt connected with the mission of the Saathi Teachers Programme which led me to join as a Saathi teacher back in 2022.
My Saathi journey has been transformative both personally and professionally. After completion of a two year long Saathi teacher journey, I felt a deep sense of belonging within the programme. This prompted me to take on the role of Teachers Development Coordinator, where I support 8 Saathi teachers (Suvaaramva cluster) working in four different schools of Tripurasundari Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchowk.”
 

Safina Maharjan is 25 years old and has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and is passionate about helping children through education. She currently works as a Teachers Development Coordinator Aaanbookhaireni cluster. 
Safina started her journey as a teacher right after she left school by working at an orphanage school. Safina was exposed to the struggles of many children. One interaction was particularly poignant when a student, who had lost his mother at a young age, referred to Safina as “ mother”. This deeply moved her and made her realize how important it is to support these children and help them to build a better future for themselves. 
After leaving that job to continue her studies, Safina stayed connected to education by volunteering as a Child Learning Facilitator. She built strong bonds with the children in the community, who started to see her as an “elder sister.” This strengthened her desire to make a real difference in their lives, and it led her to join the Saathi Teachers Programme. Spending two years in this programme gave her valuable skills and experiences that shaped her as an educator.
Her belief in the power of good education comes from her own experience as a student. She struggled in school until class 6 and failed many exams. But when her mother enrolled her in a coaching class, the teacher’s support helped her to improve and become a much better student. This experience taught her that the quality of education depends on the teacher and how they connect with their students.
Now, as the Teacher Development Coordinator, her goal is to help other Saathi Teachers grow and build their confidence so that they can make a difference in children’s lives. Her time with Saathi has helped her grow not only as a teacher but also as a leader. She is excited to continue being a part of this programme and to contribute to the future of education.
 

Karan Tamang is a Graphic Designer and Social Media Manager at the Saathi Teachers Programme/Helambu Education and Livelihood Partnership (HELP). He completed his Diploma in Computer Engineering from Kathmandu Institute of Technology and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at King’s College.

Despite his background in computer science, Karan has a deep passion for the education sector. As a Saathi Teacher Alumni (2024), he dedicated his time to teaching in Lekharka, Panchpokhari Thangpal Rural Municipality-06, Sindhupalchowk. Reflecting on his experience, he describes his Saathi Teachers journey as transformative, full of learning, and adventurous. Teaching and working with young minds remain some of his most cherished memories.

Karan is also a HELP Scholarship recipient (2018), a recognition of his dedication and potential. Through his work, he continues to contribute to education and community development, blending his skills in technology and teaching to make a meaningful impact.

My name is Kishor Raj Singh and I am from Sukedhara-4, Kathmandu. I have an MBA degree in Finance and Administration and I previously worked at the Need Employment Service. I joined HELP as a Finance & Admin Officer and I enjoy working at an NGO as it allows me to contribute to positive change through advocating for Child rights, providing healthcare to underrepresented populations and supporting education initiatives. Our programme is dedicated to addressing pressing social issues and improving the lives of marginalised communities. The satisfaction that comes from knowing my efforts are making a difference in the lives of those in need is unparalleled.
I believe that continual improvement to our school system should be shared by everyone involved including school staff, parents, students, and the community. A shared goal of the improvement of education can become a catalyst for continued growth in the ways we educate and support our young. Students and adults contribute their ideas, feelings and insights as well as personal and cultural histories to every situation. Children have the ability to be active, capable contributors to a learning community.
Kishor currently works as the Finance and Admin Officer at HELP.
 

Sneha Shrestha serves as the Schools Coordinator for the Saathi Teachers Programme (STP) at HELP. A dedicated Rural Development student and a passionate educator, she is deeply committed to creating meaningful change through inclusive and student-centred education. Growing up, Sneha observed a noticeable gap between teachers and students, where classrooms often favoured high-achieving learners while others felt overlooked. This early experience shaped her belief in the importance of approachable, supportive educators and inspired her to contribute to building more equitable learning environments. In 2024, she joined the Saathi Teachers Programme as a Saathi English teacher, driven by her motivation to make a positive impact in rural communities. Through her teaching journey, she has worked closely with students, fostering engagement, confidence and a love for learning. Now serving as Schools Coordinator, Sneha brings both classroom experience and a strong understanding of community-based education to her role. She continues to support schools and educators while strengthening programme implementation on the ground. Sneha believes that meaningful development begins with people. She is guided by a commitment to continuous learning, collaboration and collective effort in building a more inclusive and hopeful future for all learners.

Roman Shrestha is the Teacher Development Coordinator (TDC) for the Saathi Teachers Programme at HELP. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT) from Tribhuvan University and brings a strong commitment to advancing quality education. He began his career at Itahari Nobel Academy, teaching multiple subjects at the lower secondary level, where he developed a keen interest in supporting young learners. He later worked as a Data Specialist at Sprout Technology Service Pvt. Ltd., before returning to education as a facilitator for the CTEVT Computer Operator course in Melamchi. Motivated by a long-standing aspiration to teach, Roman joined the Saathi Teachers Programme, inspired by its belief that “Primary must not be secondary.” As a Saathi Teacher under the Helambu Education and Livelihood Partnership (HELP), he worked in rural communities to strengthen foundational literacy through student-centred and ICT-integrated approaches. In his current role, Roman supports teacher development and programme implementation, working closely with educators to enhance classroom practice and promote effective, inclusive learning environments.