Jimmy Lama

Jimmy Lama, co-founder of HELP, was born and raised in a remote village in Helambu, Sindhupalchowk, where he completed his early schooling. Growing up, he witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by schools and communities in the region. Inspired by his own experiences, and deeply influenced by the contributions of local teachers, community members, and international volunteer educators, Jimmy developed a strong sense of purpose: to expand educational opportunities and improve lives in rural Nepal.

His journey has been guided by a belief that real change begins with listening to people’s lived experiences. Even coming from a rural background himself, Jimmy emphasizes that no one can make assumptions or claim expertise above the voices of local communities. This philosophy has shaped HELP’s approach, as he works closely with schools and villages to co-design initiatives that address genuine needs. He is passionate about traveling from village to village, learning people’s stories, and translating their visions into impactful projects. After earning his MA in International Development from the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex, UK, Jimmy led a major school reconstruction project following the 2015 earthquake in Sindhupalchowk. Working in partnership with MondoFoundation, the initiative successfully rebuilt over 100 classrooms across 14 schools, raising more than Nrs 200 million. In 2019, Jimmy co-founded an initiative called "Saathi Teachers Programme'- a programme that has now emerged as the major undertaking under HELP to transform the way children in rural Nepal experience and receive education at the primary level. Jimmy has also gained international experience, having worked in the UK with the MondoChallenge Foundation under the mentorship of Anthony Lunch, a formative period that helped him build strong organizational and fundraising skills. Over the years, he has travelled widely across North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia, building networks and partnerships to support education and community development. At the heart of Jimmy’s work is a commitment to valuing people’s stories, visions, and resilience, and ensuring they are central to shaping a better, more inclusive future for all.