Enhancing Education
Empowering Communities
We are a grassroots Nepali NGO working since 2009 to improve quality of education, invest in the future of young people, and support community livelihood programmes in partnership with national and international organisations.
From the Hills of Helambu; Our Founder Story
HELP was born not from outsiders' desire to make some good things happen to liberate the local people’s condition, or from the luxury of a project designed out of funding privilege or from boardroom meetings, but from the heart of the hills, from the lived experiences of a group of friends who had the rare privilege of attending schools deeply rooted in their local communities. These were not just students but future changemakers shaped by the villages that raised them.
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Saathi Teachers to Improve Primary Education
The Saathi Teachers Programme is a two-year, paid and paired initiative by HELP that strengthens basic level education by improving literacy and numeracy while integrating 21st-century 4C skills—Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration. Qualified and motivated teachers are placed in rural community schools to teach Mathematics and English to students in Grades 1–5, in close partnership with local governments.
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Scholarship to Support Young People Attain Higher Education
Although providing scholarships for higher education may seem like a common intervention, its importance as a core programme of HELP is deeply rooted in the personal journey of our founder, Jimmy Lama. After completing his schooling in Helambu in the early 2000s, Jimmy moved to Kathmandu in search of higher education. At a critical moment, it was a scholarship of similar scheme and timely guidance from his teachers and seniors that helped him identify the right college and continue his education.
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School in a Bag to Keep Children at School and Reduce Financial Strain
School in a Bag (SIAB) is a UK-based educational charity that provides SchoolBags filled with essential learning materials to disadvantaged, disaster-affected and displaced children around the world. A SchoolBag is a simple but effective solution, containing resources that enable a child to write, draw, calculate, express themselves, eat, drink, and learn with dignity. A typical SchoolBag includes pencils, biros, colouring pencils, a maths set, ruler, pencil case, six exercise books, a water bottle, lunch box or geometry box which ever is greater need, and a hygiene kit containing a nail cutter, hair comb, soap, toothbrush, and toothpaste etc.
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GreenHouse Building for Sustainable Farming and Income Generation
From the beginning, HELP recognised that educational support alone is not enough to create long-term change. Sustainable livelihoods are essential which is also reflected in our name, Helambu Education and Livelihood Partnership. The programme began when we saw parents struggling to provide basic educational materials for their children. By helping families increase their income, they could better support their children’s schooling. We selected farmers of -many of them parents of students in HELP-supported schools—and provided resources and technical guidance to start livelihood activities suited to their local environment.
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School Reconstruction After the Earthquake
Nepal is time and again prone to natural disasters, from floods to earthquakes, and HELP has consistently stepped in to support affected communities. One of our most significant interventions was in response to the catastrophic 2015 earthquake. Communities, schools, and homes across the areas where HELP worked between 2010 and 2015 were severely affected. Of the 545 schools in Sindhupalchowk, nearly all suffered damage or destruction.
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Community Building for Parangtole
HELP identified the urgent need for a multi-purpose community building at Parangtol village in Talamarang located in Melamchi Municipality. This project aimed to create a safe, inclusive space for lifelong learning, skill development, and community gatherings, with a particular focus on women and out-of-school children. The project resulted in the construction of a fully equipped community learning centre, featuring a large hall, a three-room toilet block with running water, secure fencing and gate, and a furnished training and learning room.
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Places
Impacts
Our work translates into measurable change. Through our programs, we have strengthened schools, supported teachers, and reached thousands of students—creating lasting educational impact across communities.
Programmes
Our programmes are designed with a core goal to improve the quality of education in rural Nepal. Whether it is through the Saathi Teachers Programme, where we believe building a strong primary foundation is the key, or by providing essential educational resources through School in a Bag, every initiative is a step toward empowering students. Our Scholarship Programme further supports deserving youth to pursue higher education. The Greenhouse Initiative strengthens the livelihoods of students’ families and communities, while our Volunteering Programme brings in fresh perspectives and global connections.
Together, these efforts form a holistic approach, ensuring that HELP’s impact reaches not just students, but their families and the wider community, all working towards a brighter educational future for rural Nepal.
Saathi Teachers Programme
The Saathi Teachers Programme is a two-year, paid and paired initiative by HELP that strengthens bas..
Scholarship Programme
Although providing scholarships for higher education may seem like a common intervention, its import..
School in a Bag (SIAB) Programme
School in a Bag (SIAB) is a UK-based educational charity that provides SchoolBags filled with essent..
Phases: Our Timeline
Explore the journey of HELP through its significant achievements and defining moments. This timeline highlights key milestones, from the organization’s inception to its latest initiatives, showcasing how HELP has grown, innovated, and made a lasting impact in the communities it serves.
2009 – Foundation
2009 – Foundation
HELP was formally registered in 2009 with the District Administration Office and the Social Welfare Council of Nepal. Grounded in a grassroots approach, HELP began with needs assessment surveys across 10 community schools, beginning a journey to enhance education and empower communities.
2010 – Pioneer Programmes Launch
2010 – Pioneer Programmes Launch
The Basic School Infrastructure Support (BaSIS) programme was launched, strengthening five schools through classroom construction in Tartong, Dhundeni, and Nurbuling; toilet construction in Ichowk; and the installation of desks and benches, ensuring students had the essential facilities for effective learning. The year also saw the start of the Scholarship Programme, supporting students beyond Grade 10 so that their education did not end due to financial or circumstantial challenges. Additionally, HELP also launched a Volunteering Programme, inviting its first group of international volunteers from Cambridge University (CU) to teach in rural schools in Nepal.
2011 – Strengthening Programmatic Capacity
2011 – Strengthening Programmatic Capacity
In 2011, HELP launched the Education Quality Improvement Programme (EQuIP) to tackle the chronic shortage of teachers in public schools. To strengthen teacher’s capacity through training, exposure, and continuous professional support, the first teacher training was held in Timbu, Sindhupalchwok. In the same year, CU-HELP was established. The volunteering experience of the first group of Cambridge students was so impactful that they returned to create a sustainable system for recruiting future volunteers, formalizing CU-HELP as a student society within Cambridge University.
2012 – Innovation & Engagement
2012 – Innovation & Engagement
2012 at HELP brought new innovations and opportunities for engagement. In collaboration with School in a Bag (SIAB), a UK-based educational charity providing SchoolBags filled with essential learning materials, the School in a Bag programme was launched in Gunsa, reaching children in need with vital educational resources. In the same year, the First Himalayan Games were held at Nurbuling Manichaur School, aiming to bring together students from different community schools to interact, compete, and learn from one another, extending education beyond classrooms and communities.
2013 – Programme Expansion
2013 – Programme Expansion
Recognizing the impact of the BaSIS and EQuIP programmes, both were expanded to Paanch Pokhari Thangpal Rural Municipality, reaching more teachers with quality education support.
2014 – Scaling Impact
2014 – Scaling Impact
In 2013, HELP further scaled the BaSIS and EQuIP programmes to Melamchi Municipality, bringing the total number of schools supported to 25. In the same year, recognizing that educational support alone cannot drive long-term change, the Livelihood Programme was launched. It provided parents of students in HELP-supported schools with resources and technical guidance to start livelihood activities suited to their local environment, promoting sustainable community development alongside education.
2015 – Emergency Response
2015 – Emergency Response
In 2015, the devastating earthquake in Nepal prompted HELP to respond swiftly to support the communities it had long worked with. HELP implemented a three-phase response: providing immediate relief, constructing Temporary Learning Centers (TLCs), and rebuilding schools to restore education. Within the first two months after the disaster, HELP built 225 TLCs across 45 schools, in close coordination with the District Education Office, ensuring that children could continue learning despite the catastrophe.
2015–2019 – Rebuilding Education
2015–2019 – Rebuilding Education
Post earthquake HELP became one of the first local organisations in Nepal to sign an MoU with the Department of Education and the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) for school reconstruction. Following the 2015 earthquake, HELP proposed rebuilding 15 schools in Sindhupalchowk and, using a community-led model, selected 13 schools based on their readiness to collaborate. In the same year, the final edition of the Himalayan Games was organized in Gunsa, Paanchpokhari Thangpal Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchowk.
2019 – Programmatic Innovation
2019 – Programmatic Innovation
HELP had been supporting community schools through the BaSIS and EQuIP programmes. In the year 2019, an innovation combining key components of both programmes was launched as HELP’s flagship initiative: the Saathi Teachers Programme. Introduced in Paanchpokhari Thangpal Rural Municipality, the programme aims to strengthen primary education by improving foundational literacy and numeracy while integrating 21st-century 4C skills; Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration.
2021 – Growth & Outreach
2021 – Growth & Outreach
In 2021, the Saathi Teachers Programme expanded to Tripurasundari and Melamchi Municipalities, reaching more schools and children. In the same year, CU-HELP launched the Books Campaign, driven by volunteers who had previously worked in HELP-supported communities. The campaign aimed to foster creativity, imagination, and critical thinking in students, complementing classroom learning with a love for reading.
2022 – Geographic Expansion
2022 – Geographic Expansion
2022 marked the expansion of the Saathi Teachers Programme to Anbukhaireni Rural Municipality, Tanahun, working hand-in-hand with local schools to strengthen primary education. The year also saw HELP celebrate its 12th anniversary, reflecting on over a decade of impact through innovative interventions, timely responses, and unwavering resilience in the communities that need it most.
2023 – International School Partnership
2023 – International School Partnership
HELP mourned the loss of a dear friend and long-time supporter, Anthony Lunch, Founder of Mondo Foundation, who played a pivotal role in HELP’s founding and had supported the organisation from the very beginning. In the same year, HELP strengthened international partnerships, establishing a sister-school relationship between Shree Thangpal Valley School and U-32 School, Vermont. The CU-HELP Volunteers Programme, which had been affected by COVID-19, was also revived, welcoming international volunteers again.
2024 – Honouring Legacy & Innovation
2024 – Honouring Legacy & Innovation
In memory of a dear friend, the Anthony Lunch Memorial Scholarship Programme was launched, supporting two students from underserved communities annually to pursue postgraduate studies in Nepal. That year also saw a formal partnership with King’s College and the launch of a dedicated website for the Saathi Teachers Programme, designed to connect communities and provide easy access to programme resources.
2025 – Strengthening Higher Education Pathways
2025 – Strengthening Higher Education Pathways
The Undergraduate Scholarship Programme was launched in partnership with Interhands Foundation, addressing the limited scholarship opportunities for students to pursue undergraduate studies. In the same year, HELP partnered with Kathmandu University School of Education, enabling scholarship students to continue their education at KU, with the possibility of additional support through KU’s scholarships.
2026 – Looking Ahead
2026 – Looking Ahead
HELP is working to rebuild its website for a stronger digital and global presence. The redesigned platform offers a more engaging and user-friendly experience, making it easier for visitors to explore HELP’s stories , approaches and impact. A probable expansion of the Saathi Teachers Programme to a new district is under consideration.
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Scholarship
Nurturing Dreams, Empowering Dreamers- Apply now to take the next step toward achieving your academic goals.
Saathi Teachers Programme
Join the Saathi Teachers Programme to make a meaningful impact, help transform classrooms and support children’s learning from the very foundation.
Volunteering Programme
Bring your skills, energy, and ideas to rural schools by volunteering alongside our Saathi Teachers. Make a real impact on students’ learning while experiencing Nepal in a meaningful way.
School in a Bag
If schools in your community or its children are in a clear need of SchoolBags, please submit a request.
Testimonials
- Receiving this scholarship was not just financial assistance for me. It motivated me even more to enhance in my field and to give back by contributing to society. I now approach my academic work with a greater sense of purpose and commitment, aiming to make the most of this opportunity. This scholarship has inspired me to set higher goals for myself, not just academically, but also in terms of how I can contribute to society.
Yogendra Anupam GC Masters in Urban Studies - “Being recognized as an Anthony Lunch Memorial (AJL) scholar reassured me that I am on the right path and that my dreams are valid. It has encouraged me to aim higher, stay committed, and believe in my ability to contribute to positive change. It has played a crucial role in both my academic and personal growth by significantly boosting my confidence and motivation.”
Sharmila TamangMBA Non-Profit Management - The CU-HELP volunteering programme is truly unique, as it allows you to fully immerse yourself in Nepali culture and lifestyle in a way that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. From August to mid-September, I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer as an English teacher in Gunsa, a small village in the Sindhupalchowk district of Nepal. This experience made me discover that I want to dedicate my life to supporting children and families in rural areas. It has enabled me to narrow my professional interests and today I am committed – more than ever – to work with local communities to try and make quality education accessible and possible to every child.
Camilla BeltrameCU-HELP Volunteer 2025 - I received School in a Bag more than 10 years ago.I remember, receiving a red school bag full of resources was a moment of discovery and joy for me and my classmates. Growing up in a region without proper stationery facilities, we had never had the resources to pursue our hobbies. The school bag opened doors to passions that weren’t explored before. That day we just didn’t receive school bags, we received confidence, and a reason to love education even more. Among us, it helped reinforce the sense of being equal among each other and motivated us to attend school regularly.
Anjali ShresthaSchool in a Bag Recipient (2015) - Receiving the Post-SEE scholarship for me wasn't just about financial support, it felt like recognition of all the hard work, late nights, and sacrifices I had put in up to that point. The scholarship gave me the reassurance that my dreams were valid and achievable. It gave me a sense of belonging and encouragement, knowing that someone believed in my potential and was willing to invest in my future. In me, it planted a deep sense of motivation and responsibility.
Dr. Prabesh GajurelPost-SEE Scholarship Recipient (2013) - After years of working in India, I returned to my homeland with a clear vision: to build a dignified life through farming on my own land. Back in Thangpalkot with my wife and three children. I faced the challenge many returnee migrants know too well—limited formal job opportunities. When the municipality launched its greenhouse support programme, I was selected as one of the recipients. I didn’t have a job, but I had the experience.I just needed the right support to continue. With partial financial backing from HELP and a co-investment from my own savings, I was able to replace my fragile bamboo structures with a durable metal greenhouse—a shift that brought both stability and sustainability to my farming. I began growing tomatoes and now I am planning to diversify crops further.
Ngima Nagarkoti Paanchpokhari Thangpal Rural Municipality