We have started a blog on our website to update our clients on the various social, environmental, economic activities we have been carrying out as part of our drive to contribute to various aspects of society and try to be a model business enterprise for other firms to follow. It is because we truly believe in being more than just a business such endeavors are part of our effort to make our values and beliefs come to reality. We believe a business is about so much more than just making money and is truly represented in its organizational culture and work ethic towards uplifting society by any means possible, small or large

We start off our blog with a visit to one of the projects The Explore Nepal Group has been funding regularly, Samata school, founded by Samata organization, a “profit-not sharing” entity specializing mostly on education of marginalized children. Founded by Uttam Sanjel in 2001, it is called ‘The Bamboo School’ in Kathmandu with its easy-to-construct, cost-effective, earthquake-resilient and environmentally sustainable structure very popular and has turned heads towards designing and constructing schools like this. The school is located at Nayabasti, Jorpati.

Among its various highly appreciative aspects, apart from the design and structure, is the school’s focus on the children of the marginalized communities. It charges a meager 100 rupees ($1) per month for every student from Nursery to the Masters level. It covers most of its expenditures from funding by individuals and organizations. The school with approx. 3500 children has truly helped these children of poor income households who cannot afford to send their kids to school and given them an opportunity for a better future in life.

“Following its success and popularity, Samata foundation has constructed the bamboo-themed school in over 52 districts” said Arun lamsal, one of the teachers in the school whom we interviewed. He told us the word ‘Samata’ refers to equality in ‘Siksha’ (which means learning) and ‘Niketan’ (house of learning). The name of the school truly embodies the work they have carried out. He also told us the foundation has opened a ‘Samata hospital’ within a walking distance from the school and it also only charges Rs. 100 to its patients. The hospital like the school is also only made up of bamboo.

I couldn’t help but notice the sheer happiness of the children in being gifted such an opportunity which by so many of us is taken for granted. As I sat down with a couple of children to converse, I noticed their willingness to learn and make something out of life and the maturity shown at such tender, playful years was beyond their age. They understood, for such tender age, the difficulties and circumstances of their respective families and were very thankful for the opportunity.

It is due to such exemplary initiatives, our founder Mr. Bharat Basnet decided to encourage such praiseworthy efforts and fund the school. We provide necessary funding along with books and education materials every month. The school is a true symbol and a metaphor of our firm’s efforts to not only encourage social upliftment through education and other activities but do it in an environmentally sustainable way. Hence, we have been very willing to lend support as much as possible.