Why Journey of Hope -Nepal
Children represent the future of our world. Ensuring access to quality education—regardless of a child’s socio-economic background—equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to drive innovation, strengthen productivity, and foster economic development. Education does not merely shape the future of an individual student; it transforms families, communities, and entire nations.
Recognizing the transformative power of education, world leaders have emphasized its importance:
Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
George Washington: “Education is the key that unlocks the golden door of freedom.”
According to a World Bank report, education is one of the most effective drivers of development. It remains a powerful tool for reducing poverty, improving health outcomes, advancing gender equality, and fostering social stability. Education is also essential for achieving equity and inclusion across societies.
Education in Nepal: The Challenges
Nepal’s education system faces numerous challenges, including socio-economic barriers, geographic disparities, child labor, gender inequities, high dropout rates—especially among girls after eighth grade—insufficient infrastructure, a shortage of trained teachers, and poor overall quality of education.
Over 30% of girls enrolled in rural schools drop out before completing eighth grade.
Only 20% of students from low-income families complete high school (Grade 12).
Academic disparities are stark: only 12% of children from poor households demonstrate proficiency in literacy and numeracy, compared to 65% of children from wealthier families.
A UNICEF report indicates that nearly 25% of children from impoverished families do not attend school at all.
In 2024, 464,785 students appeared for the Secondary Education Examination (SEE), and more than 50% failed, with the majority coming from poor families.
Many students who drop out are left with limited opportunities, often forced into low-paying jobs.
Journey of Hope–Nepal: Our Mission
Journey of Hope–Nepal, founded in 2025, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of socio-economically marginalized families in Nepal through education. We work to remove barriers rooted in poverty, inequality, and social exclusion by providing:
Scholarships
Mentorship programs
Research initiatives
Community-based educational support
Our mission is to create an inclusive and equitable education system where every child—regardless of their socio-economic background—has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. We collaborate with individuals, communities, and partner organizations to build pathways toward long-term educational success.
Our Core Beliefs
Journey of Hope–Nepal firmly believes that:
Providing educational opportunities to children is essential for building stronger communities, nations, and a better world for all.
Education is the key to unlocking the full potential of young people and transforming their lives, families, and communities.
Every student from a low-income family deserves access to the support and resources needed to thrive academically and personally.
Journey of Hope–Nepal is a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization (EIN: 39-3956624). All contributions directly support our mission to expand educational opportunities for socio-economically marginalized families in Nepal.
Vision
Journey of Hope-Nepal exists to provide educational opportunities for children from low-income and marginalized families. It not only supports children to succeed in their education, but also to break the cycle of poverty, ignorance, and systematic injustice
Values
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Board Of Directors
Journey of Hope-Nepal is governed by a mission driven professional team with an extensive experience in different fields. The following are the board of directors:
Krishna Sob is an international development professional with over 30 years of experience of managing and leading sustainable development programs focusing on civic engagement, empowerment of marginalized communities, civil society & local governance, and rural economic development. Highly experienced in developing program strategies, as well as planning, implementation, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of program activities. He has worked for more than half a dozen international organizations and managed program activities in approximately forty countries around the world. He possesses superior people skills.
He has extensively travelled and spent nights in poor communities and shared meals with them and closely observed the poverty ridden lives. This has inspired him to be part of Journey of Hope-Nepal and extend assistance to them. He has served as board of directors and advisors to number of social organizations.. He is highly collaborative and flexible, self motivated person with a solution based approach.
Bikram Pokhrel is a Maryland-based real estate investor, builder, and supporter of humanitarian causes. His journey of life started in one of the most remote and underdeveloped regions of Nepal, where there were no roads, electricity, or other basic necessities. When he arrived in the United States in 1994, he had only $46 in his pocket and no family or means of support. Through hard work, determination, and unwavering focus, he rose from near homelessness to becoming a successful business owner.
Having gone through difficult chapters in his life, Bikram is deeply committed to supporting others in need. His values are rooted in the belief that every child is born with limitless potential and that education is the key that unlocks their future—especially for those from poor families. He has actively supported people and communities in both the United States and Nepal, helping them overcome hardships and build stability.
He is proud to be involved in several nonprofit organizations, including Journey of Hope–Nepal, which focuses on helping children gain access to education and opportunity. He strongly believes that helping a child does more than educate one individual—it strengthens families, communities, nations, and ultimately the world. He currently serves as the Vice-Chair of Journey of Hope–Nepal, and his leadership continues to advance the organization’s mission of empowering children through education and compassion.
“Every child is a precious asset to this world, and our job is to nurture that potential.”
— Bikram Pokhrel
Alisha Gautam is a dedicated advocate for education-driven empowerment. Born in Nepalgunj, Nepal, into a middle-class family, Alisha’s life has been shaped by the belief that education is the most powerful and lasting investment one can make. This value was deeply instilled by her father, an artist and singer who, despite limited formal education, worked tirelessly to ensure that his children had opportunities he did not.
The youngest of three siblings, Alisha learned resilience early in life. Financial hardship required her to work alongside her studies, including employment at a local FM radio station to support her education. Her academic excellence and determination led her to pursue journalism, first in Nepalgunj and later in Kathmandu, where limited family resources nearly became a barrier to her dreams.
Through mentorship and perseverance, Alisha earned a highly competitive scholarship from the Nepalese Youth Foundation (NYF), funded by U.S.-based philanthropist Olga Murray . Selected through a rigorous interview process for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism while gaining professional experience and giving back through student mentorship.
Her leadership and service path continued when she was encouraged to apply for the Fulbright Scholarship, which brought her to the United States for a one-year academic and professional exchange. This experience broadened her global perspective and reinforced her commitment to service, education, and opportunity-based growth.
After returning to Nepal to work with NYF, Alisha later pursued graduate studies in the United States, earning a Master’s degree in Technology/Computer Science. During this time, she independently financed her education while working multiple jobs and discovered a passion for technology and data systems. Today, she serves as a project Manager of ascension technologies , leading a data platform team that supports critical healthcare data integration across multiple hospitals.
As Chairperson of the Journey of Hope Foundation, Alisha is committed to paying forward the opportunities that once changed her life. Her work focuses on expanding access to education, mentorship, and guidance for individuals from underserved communities. She believes that a single opportunity—when paired with hard work—can alter the trajectory of a life.
Alisha is married and a proud mother of two. Grounded in integrity, perseverance, and service, she leads with the conviction that sustainable impact begins with education, ethical leadership, and community investment.
Bishnu Neupane is an Enterprise Web Application Development Manager at Freddie Mac with over 12 years of experience leading enterprise technology solutions. He holds a bachelor’s in information systems and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Machine Learning. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring new IT innovations, woodworking, and home renovation.
His personal journey is a defining part of his story. He came to the United States alone in 2007 as an international student, without family or support, determined to build a better future. Through faith, perseverance, and hard work, he established a strong foundation for himself and his family. Having grown up with limited resources, Bishnu understands the transformative power of education. It not only changed his life but also improved the lives of his family members. This first-hand experience drives his strong belief that children from low-income backgrounds deserve equal access to quality education, an opportunity that can change the trajectory of their future.
Among his proudest achievements is the ability to succeed and build a meaningful life entirely on his own, despite significant challenges. Today, he considers it a blessing to be in a position where he can give back. His involvement with Journey of Hope–Nepal reflects his deep commitment to helping children and families in Nepal who need support the most. Bishnu is honored and excited to serve on the Board of Directors and views this role as a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the country that shaped him.
Journey of Hope Nepal is guided by a committed Board of Directors and a passionate team of individuals who believe deeply in service, compassion, and shared responsibility. Each board member brings not only professional expertise, but also a genuine personal commitment to creating lasting impact in the lives of underprivileged children and communities. Their leadership is rooted in integrity, accountability, and a long-term vision for sustainable change.
The people working with Journey of Hope Nepal staff, volunteers, and partners are united by a common purpose, to serve selflessly and uplift those who need it most. They work with humility, dedication, and respect for the communities they support, often going beyond expectations to ensure that every child and family is treated with dignity and care. This collective spirit of generosity and teamwork is what drives Journey of Hope Nepal forward.
Together, the Board and the broader Journey of Hope Nepal family are motivated not by recognition, but by the belief that even small acts of kindness can transform lives. Their shared commitment continues to build hope, open opportunities, and create a brighter future for children and communities across Nepal.
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