“Nepal is one of the poorest nations in the world.”
Introduction
The Pragya Foundation is a Non-Governmental 
Organization(NGO) registered at the Chief District Office of Kathmandu, Nepal under registration number 652/064 and with the tax exempt under PAN no. 302833753. It has also been approved by and is affiliated with the Social Welfare Council (SWC), under no. 24266, District Development Committee Katmandu(DDC) under no. 651/064.
Our mission is to help the underprivileged children of our country realize their potential. To fulfill this mission Pragya Foundation has already established The Pragya English School to impart the quality education for children, Children’s Home for abandoned and orphaned children and Healthcare Unit is in the process of being established.
As being educated is always a first step ahead and as our children are responsible for the future development of our nation, they must have the opportunity to get quality and practical education. Therefore, the Pragya Foundation has committed itself to support and contribute to the development of Nepal.
Mission of the Pragya Foundation is "to help the underprivileged children of our country realize their potential". It aims at:
- Providing quality education to children and young people;
- Providing a warm home to abandoned and orphaned children;
- Providing quality and affordable healthcare to the most impoverished.
The Pragya Foundation has committed itself to reach these goals through the establishment of three different institutes. The ‘ Pragya English School’, the ‘Pragya Children’s Home’ and the ‘Pragya Healthcare Unit’.
The Pragya English School has been successful in offering quality education and improving accessibility since it opened its doors in 1991 and has seen a rapid increase in the number of students enlisted ever since.
The Pragya Children’s Home has been established very recently and is at present offering a home to several children up to the age of twelve, who are attending the Pragya English School but whose parents live far from Kathmandu. In the future it would like to offer a home to abandoned and orphaned children too.
The Pragya Healthcare Unit is in the process of being established and hopes to open its doors to the children attending the Pragya English School soon. In the future it would expand to include children not attending the school but living in its vicinity.
Pragya English School
Pragya English School currently serves approximately 450 students from pre-primary through secondary level education. The mission of Pragya English School is to educate the children of Nepal, who are suffering from extreme poverty conditions. The school aims to 
provide the high quality education of a private school, but without the expensive tuition fees that limit access to education for numerous Nepali children everyday. Consequently, about 40% of the students attend the school at no cost and another 30% attend at a reduced rate. For this reason, it is critical that the school seeks the support of both the local and international community.
“Education is the backbone of economic development and children are the future of Nepal”
- R.B. Patel, Director
Any type of knowledge that can be imparted to a child’s growing mind is valuable and lasts a lifetime. In 
addition to a traditional academic curriculum, Pragya English School teaches dance, music, sports and much more. Volunteers are encouraged to work in their own area of expertise and share their unique talents with teachers and students. It is learning and cultural exchange, which is at the heart of the volunteer program.
“Atithi Devo Bhava.”
(Serving the guest is like worshipping God.)
– Nepali Proverb
The Nepalese people are kind, caring and loving by nature. This holy belief plays a key role when Pragya English School finds host families for its generous volunteers. However, volunteers are not required to live with a host family. Instead volunteers may choose alternative accommodation such as a hotel in Kathmandu. In addition, volunteers are welcome to stay for as little as one week or as long as 10 months. It is the sincere hope of Pragya English School that every volunteer finds their experience in Nepal meaningful and rewarding.
Volunteer Program Fees
Administrative fee- $175 plus $ 25 each additional month
This includes:
- Application and Placement Process
- Transportation to and from Airport
- Orientation and Sightseeing
- Support and Supervision at School
- Materials and Resources at School (arranged on case by case basis)
- Volunteer I.D. Card (provides discounts at certain tourist attractions)
- 24-Hour Internet Access at Volunteer Program Office
- Assistance with Arranging Trekking and other Excursions
- Donation to School and Volunteer Program & ongoing projects.
Room and Board Fee:
Option I- $ 300 each month
- Private Room at Volunteer Flat (Home of School’s Director and his wife)
Option II- $ 200 each month
- Shared Room at Volunteer Flat (Home of School’s Director and his Wife)
Option III- $ 300 each month
- Home Stay with a Family
If you prefer to stay in a hotel/hostel, this can also be arranged, but at your own expense.
Description of Cost:
Due to the limited funds of the school, volunteers are responsible for all costs associated with their travel to Kathmandu, such as airfare, tourist visa, travel/health insurance and airport departure tax. The fees also do not cover trekking, rafting or other adventure activities or excursions. Volunteers should budget approximately US $20 per week to cater for expenses like bottled water, personal items, beverages and entertainment. If you have any questions or concerns about the fees, please let us know. They are always open for discussion.
Volunteers must make a deposit of the program fee and the first month of their room and board fee to secure their placement.
