MEET OUR TEAM IN NEPAL
The unique aspect of Nepal House Girls School is the combination of its educators and counselors and the services they are able to offer the local community through the Nepal House Girls School. In Pokhara (where the Nepal House Kaski Chapter is located), the first class (kindergarten) has been officially established and is being set up in a manner to exemplify a model school for nurturing growth, confidence and balance in and around each child.
Deepa Karki (in her own words)
I am originally from pokhara, the place where I was born is called machhapuchhreTole, the reason behind the name of this place is because we can see the machhapuchhre mountain (fishtail) view very clearly and also other mountain views. I grown up in a middle class family where my parents always struggled for the basic needs, I am proud to my parents that they manage to educate me and I am here now. When I got to know about NHK and I became very interested and walked for the interview, finally I selected and started to work in the NHK team, they all became very helpful and taught many new things that I heard very little before like, trauma, counseling, play therapy, art therapy, and talk therapy and also some teaching skills.
I enjoyed the first few weeks with the team painting the rooms, fence, shopping for school and many field trips where I saw many challenge situations and now I am happy to see the girls in the school, I am very hopeful that the school will make many changes in these girls life along with counseling together and also the family situation. I believe that children are god gifted and they are like clay, what model you want to change them they are ready
Sarita Lamichhane (in her own words)
I am from Bharatpokhari village development Committee. The place I was born is called Kalikasthan. This place is famous for Oranges and tomatoes, where we can get one of the best oranges and tomatoes in Nepal. My parents struggle a lot to educate me and my sister. I have teaching education so I am very interested to be a part of Nepal House. I love teaching because it is the best way to learn. I am very much excited to learn new things here and also interested in the counseling and therapy techniques; this is something very new for me.
I am enjoying the time in Nepal House, coloring of the rooms, shopping, field trips, and collaborating with the counselors. I am eager to see the school progress and interested to learn new skills. I believe children are always ready to learn if there is a safe and loving environment. Children can learn in many ways and as a teacher we are the key person to make them feel happy and learn in a safe environment.
Basanta Subedi (Counselor)
Basanta is one of the founders of Nepal House Society, Kaski Chapter. He was born in the western region of Nepal, a beautiful place on the way to the famous Annapurna trekking area. Basanta has an education background and spent a good portion of his earlier working years as a teacher before transitioning to social work with Nepal House. His past experiences benefit the team from multiple levels, especially with the opening of the Girls School. He manages a lot of the case loads and administrative elements for day to day functioning of the Kaski Chapter. When he has some spare time, Basanta enjoys wild life documentaries that depict the breathtaking aspects of nature. Currently Basanta is balancing a lot of the new areas that the team is encountering as they expand the Girls School.
Bina Pun (Counselor)
Bina is an active member of the team that supports the different therapy center locations. She was born in Magdi District in a small village called Dana. It is in the West northen part of Nepal. It is on the side of holy river Kali Gandaki which comes from Tibet. The village is famous for its beautiful Himalayan range and the world’s deepest gorge in between the two high peaks of the Himalayas – Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. Bina is inspired by efforts of personalities like BP Koirala, a great leader and writer, and Nelson Mandela, who fought for equality in South Africa. In working with the children through Nepal House Kaski, she firmly believes that one of the most important to raise children in a healthy environment. As a recent staff member, Bina is motivated and proud to be part of the efforts on Nepal House.
Laxmi Gautam Tripathi (Counselor)
Laxmi supports the therapy programs and increasing number of children that the team is now working with. She was born in the northern part of Pokhara in Mardi Khola, which provides the main source of drinking water for Pokhara proper. Laxmi's social service efforts were inspired by Dr. Shanta Dixite, the founder principal of one of the best schools in Nepal. Her strong personality and knowledge has been a great source for inspiration for her school and many other schools in Nepal. She is very supportive of those teaching child psychology. Laxmi is excited about the innovative methods used by Nepal House to get to the source of the trauma and help lead children past their mental challenges. She expresses deep gratitude that Nepal House has taken up such a cause to support the community.
Shiva Thapa (Counselor)
Siva is one of the original founders of Nepal House Kaski Chapter. He was born Sarangkot, 1600m elevation from the sea level where one can see the Annapurna Himalayan range, rhododendron jungle, and Lake Phewa. It is the world’s fifth most famous place for paragliding. Originally a medic by profession, Siva understood the need for counseling activities to better the plight of many children he came across. This idea lead to the formation of the Kaski Chapter and the subsequent programs that are being run today. Siva manages a lot of the case loads as well as administrative and government based work. Siva has a passion for the outdoors and loves to trek and mountain climb when he gets the opportunity. Working at Nepal House is for him has been a platform for learning many life skills. The one thing above all that he has learned is that children can simply "play" and not be told to act as adults when they are with Nepal House activities. The changes he has witnessed since the opening of the first therapy center has been profound, especially when many of the children who are now older, come back and share their growth with him.
Rajan Dahal (Administrative)
Rajan maintains the Nepal House property along with the leased playground. He was born in a small village in Bhojpur called Sano Dumma. Rajan has been supporting the staff at various levels. In Rajan's own words, "It is my pleasure to work at Nepal House Kaski. I have gained a lot of knowledge from my work and the friends here in Pokhara. Childhood is the foundational period of life. If we give these children good opportunities in different areas that help them to have better life, this is something that will be with them for the rest of their lives."