Thami Education Project (TEP)

Children of the Thami ethnic group receive school supplies and support from the Thami Education Project. TEP works with Thami students from Dolakha and Sindhupalchok districts to the northeast of Kathmandu and supports their educational endeavors in local primary schools. A select number of high-achieving students receive scholarships for higher education in Kathmandu.

Komintal Thami is TEP's first college student and began working towards his Bachelor's Degree in Management at Saraswati Campus in Kathmandu in 2004. His five younger siblings all attend school in their village. Komintal has been active in tutoring younger students in his home village during college holidays, and plans to continue his involvement with TEP and other village-based development initiatives after graduation.

Female Thami students like this fourth grade girl often must fight twice as hard as boys to stay in school. Poor parents with many children often feel that they cannot afford to keep more than one or two children in school, and usually they will invest in educating their sons before their daughters. TEP provides financial support for such families so that girls also receive educational opportunities.

An ETC staff member stands in front of one of the two buildings at Mahadev primary school (Damarang village, Suspa VDC, Dolakha district). This building was never completed and therefore cannot be used because it is exposed to the elements. TSIP will be renovating this building over the coming 3 years.

The other building at Mahadev school, built around a courtyard where community events are often held.

FSS committee members distributing school supplies to sponsored children at a Thami Education Project community meeting.

Thami Education Project students and their parents.

The beginning of a school day at Mahadev primary.

Students receiving supplies from FSS committee members.

Parents share their thoughts and goals during a TEP community meeting.

Children playing in the courtyard before school.

FSS committee members distributing school supplies to sponsored children at a Thami Education Project community meeting.