Surya Karki
In Nepal, one in four children are unable to complete even the basic eight years of education, largely due to financial hardships and systemic challenges*. Surya, raised by a single mother in a remote village, faced these very obstacles. His village was a two-and-a-half-hour walk from the nearest school, but his mother, recognizing that education was the only pathway to a better life, took a bold step that would change Surya’s life forever.
When Surya was just seven years old, his mother convinced him to walk 27 hours to Kathmandu to take a national scholarship exam, enticing him with promises like, “the farther you walk, the more allowance you will earn.” Surya passed the exam with flying colors—achieving the best results in his district and earning a place at a national boarding school for gifted students. The cost, however, was immense: Surya wouldn’t be able to see his family for the next nine years. Although he was devastated and wept, he saw that 70 other students selected from across the country were in the same situation and resolved to face it with determination. Surya focused on his studies, eventually receiving scholarships to attend UWC high school in Venezuela and later completing both a university degree and a master’s degree abroad. Education changed his life completely.
Yet, many children in Nepal’s rural areas still have very few opportunities for education. Determined to address this disparity, Surya founded UWS Nepal in 2015. Since then, he has opened and run 82 schools, providing more than 14,000 children with access to quality education. UWS Nepal’s holistic approach includes teacher training, workshops on producing sanitary products for female students, livelihood support for mothers, and school lunch programs—contributing to a remarkable 92% completion rate at its partner schools.
Surya’s vision extends far beyond these achievements. He is committed to bridging the educational divide across Nepal by collaborating with the government to scale these programs nationwide, ensuring that children in even the most remote communities can access the transformative power of education.
Providing Every Children with Quality Education, Paving the Way to Escape Poverty and Lead Better Lives
A Holistic Approach to Solving Education
The barriers preventing children in Nepal from accessing education are complex, including a lack of schools in remote areas, untrained teachers, and the difficult economic and social circumstances faced by many families.
UWS Nepal’s education model is designed to transform rural education through a holistic approach, starting from the school building, managing operations, and enhancing the quality of teaching. They not only construct schools in remote areas but also ensure that students benefit from well-managed environments, supported by enthusiastic and well-trained teachers. This combination provides students with safe, engaging classrooms and a curriculum that meets national standards, while respecting local culture and traditions.
Their programs teach girls how to create reusable sanitary products, form mothers’ support groups, provide teacher training, and implement school meal programs. As a result of these efforts, 92% of children in their schools now complete the full eight-year basic education course.
Sustained School Programs Ensuring Children can Continue to Learn
UWS Nepal’s mission extends further than just providing immediate solutions. They aim to empower communities to manage their schools independently within five years. By empowering communities to take ownership of their schools, UWS Nepal ensures that projects are sustainable long after their initial involvement, while the organization continues to provide support and monitoring for an additional three years.
They work closely with both local communities and governments to create lasting partnerships, providing regular teacher training and designing schools tailored to local needs. Their efforts improve learning outcomes, reduce educational inequalities, and offer much-needed support to students, parents, and educators alike.
Through these initiatives, UWS Nepal has provided over 14,000 children with access to education, helping to build a more self-sufficient and promising future for Nepal’s rural communities.
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