About Us
Our Mission
Our foundation was built to ensure that every child, regardless of socio-economic background, has a chance for a quality education and a successful future. At Reinstalling Hope, we are committed to improving student learning and well-being through quality education resources, improved learning facilities, extracurricular activities, scholarships, and community programs. We also offer various training skill boosts and leadership training to youths. Through our fellowship program, we also facilitate the drafting of research-based education policies to multiply our impact. We promise to always act in the best interest of our partner schools and students and to ensure that 100% of donations are put towards this mission.
The Issue
There are three education systems in Nepal — private, public, and gurukula. The majority of private schools exist in larger urban areas, leaving public schools and gurukulas as the sole educational opportunities in remote, rural, and suburban Nepal. The success of all schools, public or private, is conventionally measured by the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) which the students take during the end of their tenth grade. Students must pass this examination to advance to the 11th grade and continue higher education. In 2023, only 0.8 percent of students from public schools were able to secure a GPA above 3.6, compared to 11 percent of students from private schools indicating a huge disparity in education. Similarly, according to UNICEF’s 2022 report, rural and poor children have a school completion rate below the national average. There are many reasons behind this disparity. Firstly, student attendance in public schools is low and inconsistent. According to UNICEF, rural Nepali secondary schools have only 40% attendance rates and less than 30% in the poorest third of the population. Low attendance rates are not uncommon in developing countries, as parents must often weigh the benefits of a low-quality education against the benefits of having children available for farm work and labor. Unfortunately, even for the children who regularly attend Nepali public schools, learning environments can still fall short. Public schools often lack extracurricular activities, whether they be sports teams, after-school programs, or clubs. Classroom environments are similarly uninspired — hard-working teachers may be discouraged by low attendance rates, and many schools lack important facilities and learning materials to facilitate learning. As a result, student outcomes are often sub-par, despite eager children and committed faculty. At first glance, Nepali public education might seem hopeless, but it is not. We at Reinstalling Hope have a vision for a better future in these schools and invite you to learn about our solutions to this problem. We hope you will be inspired, and get involved in creating change!
Integrative Model
Reinstalling Hope was founded in hopes of improving education and well-being for Nepal’s most impoverished public school students. Rather than fixating on a particular group or aspect of Nepali public education, our model follows an integrative approach that incorporates the perspective, interests, and needs of all individuals involved. Our team works intimately with our partner schools to curate the best solution. Our team leaders and officers thoroughly discuss prevalent issues with teachers, parents, and students, and then provide customized assistance for each school. Based on the needs and concerns presented, interventions may focus on financial support, material provision, health programs, or other forms of assistance through our programs. At present, we have been focusing on creating digital infrastructure in schools in rural and remote parts of Nepal that seriously lack teachers, education materials, and financial support. In these schools, we install the necessary digital equipment (projector, smartboard, computer labs) and conduct virtual classes for students led by our talented volunteers. Our integrative model has helped us build genuine relationships with students and faculty alike. In the past, our team has taught English classes, built school libraries, distributed clothing for needy children, organized dental health camps, and provided full scholarships for nearly 50 high-achieving, impoverished students. We have participated in school-wide sports days, sat in on teacher meetings, and shared meals with faculty members. All this has served to develop trust between the organization and our partner schools — an invaluable part of what we do.
We also conduct several programs outside the confines of schools as well as. Through our Fellowship Programs, we empower youths to research an education issue, find a solution, and implement it. Our Skill Boost programs teach important skills such as coding, graphic design, video editing, photography, and more to students. The Leadership and Management module, curated to the needs of the youths of Nepal who hope to initiate positive change in society, provides the tools and techniques to enhance their leadership skills. All our programs tackle the multifaceted problem of Nepal’s education system from different ends with the sole goal of improving the education quality and its access to children, eventually cultivating a generation of citizens who are well-prepared in all aspects to run the nation and solve the pressing contemporary issues.
All our programs and achievements are possible because of our kind donors and motivated volunteers. We have connected volunteers from all around the globe to our education projects in Nepal. The volunteers, both local and foreign, learn about the Nepali culture and education system, experience new sights and sounds, and make a long-lasting impact on people’s lives all at the same time. Our model for improving Nepali public education is backed by research on education in developing countries as well as our team’s surveys, studies, and reports. Through your contributions to this 501(c)(3) organization, we are confident Reinstalling Hope will continue increasing student performance and well-being, while also supporting teachers and school communities. We hope to expand our work and impact in the future and improve the education and health of Nepali public school students nationwide. However, we cannot do this alone. We are constantly looking for people to join the Reinstalling Hope team, whether as volunteers, donors, or partners. With your help, we will bring hope back to Nepal’s most underprivileged students.
Our Partner Schools
Gorakh Nath Secondary School
Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
Shree Baghbhairab School
Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
Naimisharanya Sanskrit Gurukul
Dhukikhal, Kavre, Nepal
Shree Naraharinath Gurukul
Chitwan, Nepal
Mata Pavitradevi Vidhyashram
Dang, Nepal
Shree Manakamana Sanskrit Gurukula
Kapilvastu, Nepal
Shree Champadevi Secondary School
Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
Gargi Kanya Gurukul
Devghat, Chitwan
Southwestern School
Basundhara, Kathmandu
Shree Indrayani Secondary School
Panchakanya – 1, Nuwakot
Our Team
Current Team
Past Members
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Executive Body
Laxman Bista
Executive Director
Education : Dartmouth College, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Email:[email protected]
Asmod Khakurel
Program Director
Education : Kenyon College, University of Oxford, Dartmouth College
- Email:[email protected]
Sarisma Basnet
Program Lead, TREC campaign
Education : Saraswati Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University
Ashraf Alam
Program Designer
Education : University of Oxford
Prakriti Mishra
Lead Social Media Manager
Education : Arniko Awasiya Secondary School
As Lead Social Media Manager at Reinstalling Hope, Prakriti applies her creative and design expertise to strengthen the organization's digital presence and advance its mission.- Email:[email protected]
Nishchit Bhandari
Lead Tech Fellow
Education : Kathmandu Model Secondary School
His notable projects include developing AI models for generating Nepali folk stories and creating a farmer-focused web application for NASA's Space Apps Challenge that uses machine learning for crop recommendations. Through his work at Reinstalling Hope, Nishchit aims to apply his technical expertise in AI and web development to address real-world challenges.- Email:[email protected]
Dipshan Sharma
Co-lead tech and graphic
Education : Kathmandu Model Secondary School
- Email:[email protected]
Abhinav Acharya
Co-lead tech fellow
Education : Kathmandu Model Secondary School
- Email:[email protected]
Sadrish Acharya
Mentorship Program Coordinator
Education : Dartmouth College
Sudip Bashyal
Graphics Designer
Inspired by Reinstalling Hope's transformative work, Sudip joined the team to apply his design skills developed during high school. He aims to create meaningful impact through creative contributions that advance the organization's mission.- Email:[email protected]
Advisory Body
Aldis Petriceks
Director of Outreach Strategy
Education : Kenyon College, Columbia University, Harvard Medical School
Jacques Marquis
Consultant
Education : University of Oxford
With more than five years of experience in the education sector, Jacques applies his professional knowledge to address broader issues such as rural community development, using a systematic and innovative approach.
Holding a Master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Oxford, Jacques developed advanced problem-solving and strategic thinking skills during his rigorous academic journey. His experience at Oxford fostered a “problem-crushing” mindset, enabling him to create impactful solutions and unlock the potential in his work.
In 2024, Jacques visited Nepal, engaging with the nation’s energetic youth and observing their passion for innovation and shaping the future. This experience deepened his dedication to fostering cultural exchange and promoting international collaboration.
Jacques takes pride in supporting passionate young individuals working to bring positive changes to their communities. His work at Reinstalling Hope allows him to nurture these talents while building environments that encourage growth and global understanding. Beyond his professional life, Jacques has competed nationally in Ballroom and Latin dance, as well as powerlifting. He is an avid jazz pianist and also enjoys exploring languages, cultures, and travel, showcasing his commitment to both personal and professional excellence.
- Email:[email protected]
Sharan Mahat
Program Advisor
Education : Tribhuvan University
A native of Nuwakot district, Sharan has dedicated his life to community development and education. His commitment to giving back is exemplified through his role as founder and former principal of a school in Nuwakot. As a lecturer at Southwestern State College, he has further demonstrated his dedication to education and empowerment.
Sharan's journey with Reinstalling Hope began through his vital contributions to the summer internship program, where he established school partnerships, coordinated housing, and mentored interns and local fellows. Moved by the transformative work of Asmod Khakurel and the academic team, he joined the organization to expand his impact on development projects in Nuwakot and surrounding areas.
As Program Advisor, Sharan provides strategic guidance to ensure the success of Reinstalling Hope's initiatives. His expertise in education and project management is fundamental to the organization's mission of creating meaningful change in underserved communities.
- Email:[email protected]
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Iris Santalucia
Program Designer
Iris is the Summer Program Coordinator at Reinstalling Hope. She collaborates with Ashraf Alam to design enriching programs for our interns at the organization. At Kenyon College, Iris is majoring in Philosophy and minoring in Religious Studies. Her diverse background includes attending LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, where she majored in Drama, and gaining experience through internships in theater, youth journalism, and radio. With several awards and publications for her writing, as well as acting credits in department shows and films at Kenyon, Iris brings creativity and a strong passion for the arts to our team. Iris is a valuable asset on-site for large projects such as building structures, farming, and working with people, students, or volunteers. Her passion for education and sustainability drives her to focus on projects that align with these goals. Iris is eager to generate ideas inspired by sustainable practices and to develop programs centered on arts education. Iris enjoys practicing yoga, meditating, acting, journaling, hiking, horseback riding, reading, being outdoors, and spending time with people.Reecha Basnet
Social Media Manager
I completed my high school education last year at Global School of Science and took a gap year to explore opportunities and gain experience. I am now about to start my bachelor's, majoring in finance, with a clear goal of working in the banking sector. I also aspire to promote financial literacy, helping others better understand and manage their finances.