Imagine if the world were to suddenly collapse and the world as you know it no longer existed. Education needs you to prepare yourself for this.

This wisdom from my father led me to spend much of my youth developing my life and leadership skills. Eventually I had the opportunity to facilitate life and leadership development among youth in Nepal as well as in the United States. After completing my masters in the U.S., I worked with United Nation Mission in Nepal, but my passion for working with youth led me to Teach For Nepal, where my current role is to nurture leaders to transform classrooms, communities, and the nation.—Swastika Shrestha, cofounder and CEO, Teach for Nepal

Swastika Shrestha, CEO, Teach For Nepal, 2021.

Before founding Teach For Nepal, Swastika Shrestha facilitated youth leadership, life-skill development, and experiential learning projects for more than 12 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Olivet College in Michigan and a master’s degree in public affairs with a concentration in international development from Cornell University, New York. She has also worked as a civil affairs officer in United Nations Mission In Nepal and as a development consultant for various organizations. She used her expertise to put together the fellowship training program at TFN. Although the program is completely secular, she uses Buddhist meditation and mind-training techniques, among other skills, to empower and inspire the fellows to move beyond their own limits with courage and for the benefit of others in these remote, breath-taking, but difficult conditions. Her inspiration has drawn young educated Nepalese to TFN. Although Teach For Nepal is an overarching umbrella for structural support, TFN is run by and for young Nepalese with the view to benefit the entire country.

Since 2016 the partnerships with both SMD and TFN have expanded, and KF’s focus has shifted from post-earthquake support to a wider commitment to Buddhist Himalayan communities.

Pal Ewam Namgyal Monastic School

Above: Remote Upper Mustang village, Pal Ewam Namgyal Monastic School, and the mobile school site in Pokhara, Nepal. Photo courtesy Pal Ewam Namgyal Schools

 

In 2021, Khyentse Foundation granted support to hire two teachers to teach Buddhism at Pal Ewam Namgyal Monastic School and Pal Ewam Namgon Nunnery School. The monastic school offers both traditional and modern education in remote Upper Mustang, and the nunnery school is close by.At an altitude of 3,850 meters, the average daytime temperature in winter is 0 to 5°C, dropping to -25 to -20°C at night with heavy snowfall. Because of the winter conditions, both schools move to the lower Pokhara mobile school sites from mid-October to April. Currently 74 monks and 51 nuns, ages 4 to 15, are enrolled from kindergarten through grade 10.

 

Academic Support at Rangjung Yeshe Institute

RYI 2021 student photo collage. Photo courtesy RYI

Khyentse Foundation continues its support for Buddhist academic study and practice in Nepal through our long-term partnership with Rangjung Yeshe Institute (RYI). The KF-RYI joint effort offers full or partial scholarships to international students and supports a work-study program. A new scholarship was added in 2014 to support students, ordained and lay, attending RYI from Nepal and from the Southeast Asian and Himalayan regions (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, and ethnic Tibetans residing in the Himalayan region). In 2021, 39 students benefited from the scholarships at RYI.

Read testimonials from some KF-RYI scholarship recipients. 

Raj Kamal Thokar, fourth-year BA student from Nepal. “I enjoy studying Buddhist philosophy and engaging in Buddhist practices. There are only three members in my family—my parents and me. My family is supported only by my father’s income, which is not high. I have thoroughly enjoyed every part of studying here at RYI, whether it is listening to teachers, writing papers, or exam pressure. I feel like my ability to do critical analysis and overall understanding of Buddhist philosophy have been improving. I find Buddhist philosophy in particular very fascinating as it challenges our common way of perceiving ourselves and our surroundings. I find myself fortunate to have received the scholarship. I would like to thank the donors from the depth of my heart, as without their kind heart and vision, I would not have been able to study Buddha Dharma at RYI.” 

Lucia Videla. “I am Argentinian, from a very small family. My dad is an artist, he paints, and my mom is a teacher. Right now I am able to be a full-time student due to a scholarship and extra help I’ve been receiving with funding. RYI has immensely benefited me and it’s given me the chance to study in depth and learn a lot about Buddhist philosophy, but also about life in general. I am so grateful to have the chance to be studying with so many interesting people, both classmates and teachers. Also spending time in Nepal is one of the greatest experiences of my life. I am to become a translator from Tibetan into English or Spanish and help spread the Dharma around the world. Thank you so, so much for helping me achieve my goal. It wouldn’t be possible without your help.” 

Tia Sinha from India. “I am a second-year student of MA TTIP at RYI. I am enjoying working on my MA thesis. For my thesis, I am translating a legend (an avadana) about a previous life of the Buddha, from Tibetan and Sanskrit. I am also enjoying reading avadanas from other collections and reading secondary literature on this subject. In addition, we are currently translating some songs of realization attributed to Gampopa. I am also attending Sanskrit classes (translation and traditional) at RYI, though not for credit. This programme has given me some experience translating Tibetan as well as Sanskrit texts into English. The scholarship has made it easier for me to study at RYI. Thank you so much”

Dina Suleimenova from Kazakhstan. “I study at RYI. This is my third year here and I am extremely happy to continue my Buddhist studies. This is an inspiring environment to keep studying and practicing ancient wisdom in the realities of our unpredictable and materialistic world. This is also one of the best places to study Buddhism and languages in the most structured and accessible way. The financial aid allowed me to concentrate on my studies and have more time for studying and translating Tibetan literature. It is great inspiration and motivation to receive such aid. I am grateful for your support. It means a lot and truly benefits students.”