Education

Development begins with quality education. If you truly want to combat poverty and underdevelopment, education becomes an essential focus. This principle has guided Vajra's efforts since its inception.

Sponsoring students

For the past 15 years, sponsoring students has been one of Vajra's primary activities, and it remains a core focus. Vajra foundation Nepal's board identifies eligible students in mountain village schools based on their family circumstances, prioritizing children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The selection also considers the child's intelligence and motivation.

One unique aspect of this sponsorship program is the personal connection between donors and students. Donors are informed about the specific child they are supporting and often maintain direct communication with the students and their families, following their academic progress with great interest. The sponsorship commitment is typically for a minimum of five years, ensuring that students can complete their education. This personalized approach enriches the experience for both the donors and the students.

Students at the Vajra Hostel in Kathmandu

Starting in 1999, Vajra collaborated with Merryland School, a private institution in Kathmandu. To support children from remote villages, Vajra opened its own hostel, the Vajra Hostel, in 2002. Students lived at the hostel and commuted to Merryland School by bus. After school, alumni assisted with homework, and activities like sports and recreation were organized, often with help from Dutch volunteers.

When the Vajra Academy was established, the hostel was sold, and scholarship students began attending Vajra's own private school. Over the years, hundreds of children have received an education through Vajra's programs. Currently, approximately 150 students benefit from scholarships.

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School construction

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Construction of one of six Vajra schools in the mountain village of Mankha.

Over the last 20 years, Vajra has built six schools in Sindhupalchowk, benefiting approximately 3,300 students. These projects received support from students at TU Delft. Old school buildings were demolished and replaced with larger, earthquake-resistant structures, doubling the number of classrooms. The schools were also equipped with sanitation facilities, furniture, and educational materials. Unfortunately, the devastating 2015 earthquake severely damaged several schools, including the one in Ramche, which had to be completely rebuilt. In 2008, Vajra Nepal also financed the construction of a school entirely through local efforts. Alumni of an old primary school in Barhabise raised funds to rebuild and expand it with a secondary education wing. Vajra ensures that schools are handed over to the community during celebratory openings, with the local community managing them as government schools moving forward.

Opening of the Vajra Academy in 2007.Government schools in Nepal often face challenges, including poorly trained, underpaid teachers and low-quality education. Teaching methods rely on rote learning, leaving students with little room for independent thinking. To address this, Vajra envisioned a private school offering high-quality education where underprivileged students could also study alongside fee-paying students.
The Vajra Academy was established as Nepal's first “green” school, promoting not just academic learning but also environmental awareness and social responsibility. Students learn to respect nature and their surroundings while engaging with Vajra’s community projects and volunteers.
The Vajra Academy has now celebrated over ten years of excellence, setting a benchmark for education in Nepal.