Sunsar Maya
annual report
A message from Jehán Seirafi
co-founder and executive director
Every so often, someone asks, “Jehan, why do you do this work, and why do you do it in Nepal?” Though the words I choose sometimes vary, the underlying message remains the same: there is so much potential here.
I see potential in the faces of the women and children that excitedly fill Sunsar Maya’s classrooms, and in the faces of the community leaders we eagerly partner with to provide life-changing opportunities to students and families. It’s potential that is too often untapped and repeatedly overlooked, but it is here all the same.
Towards the end of last year, I shared the story of 10-year old Manish. He writes poetry and dreams of being a professional writer when he grows up. I said then, and I still believe now, it’s quite possible that the greatest Nepali writer of our lifetime is a 10-year old boy, living in the community of Machhegaun with his family, who are subsistence farmers and are just barely earning enough to survive.
Manish has so much potential. It’s potential that, if nurtured, has the power to change the trajectory of his life, the lives of his family members, and just maybe the world.
So, why this work and why Nepal? Because I believe in Manish, and in the hundreds of SuMa students we work with every day, and thousands of students we’ll work with in the future. I believe each and every one of them deserves the opportunity to realize their full potential and thrive. It’s not just Manish who will benefit, we all will.
Thank you for helping to create lasting change in Nepal, for helping individuals build pathways out of poverty, for helping Manish and his peers realize their potential and ultimately live the life of their dreams.
With gratitude,
Jehán
Nepal of My Imagination
“Of all the children in my school
I may not be the tallest.
Of all the voices in the world,
mine may be the smallest.
But I can almost touch the stars,
if I stand on my toes.
And soon my words might change the world,
so you better listen close.”
—Manish
Highlights from the year
SuMa Machhegaun opened! After a year of waiting for permits and approvals, we opened the doors to our third center, housing additional SuMa After-School and Women’s Literacy Programs.
We reached more students! With the opening of our third center, Sunsar Maya served 270 children and 100 women each day. That’s roughly 56% more students than we reached in 2021.
There are lots of ways to learn. This year we added extracurricular activities as a permanent part of the Women's Literacy program. Activities such as painting, dancing, and poetry provided opportunities for students to express their creativity, while also improving their English and Nepali language skills as they discussed their art or provided instruction.
SuMa hosted a 3-day STEAM Camp for local schools, providing children that do not have access to STEAM-focused curriculum the opportunity to tinker, create, and learn SuMa-style.
Sunsar Maya was recognized by the Machhegaun community with a ceremony and certificate of appreciation for our work in the community, providing clothing, medical care, and services prior to opening SuMa Machhegaun.
We hosted our first (but not last) global meditation event, led by Dr. Chintamani Gautam from his center in Nepal.
After nearly a year of navigating the permitting process and planning, we officially opened the doors of our third SuMa Center in October 2022, expanding SuMa After-School and Women’s Literacy Programs to the rural community of Machhegaun, Nepal!
Expectations Exceeded: On our first day, we prepared for 80 children to join SuMa ASP, but we were thrilled to welcome over 100 children that day! The program continued to grow and by the end of the year, 120 students were regularly attending SuMa ASP. Plus, we launched SuMa Women’s Literacy in December, and student numbers have been rising ever since.
Medical & Dental Health: Every SuMa student receives free bi-annual medical and dental care. Before we officially opened, we hosted a medical and dental camp in June, and again in December. In total we provided vital health and dental services to 193 women and children in the community.
Staying Warm: Prior to opening, we began working in the community providing warm clothing, shoes, gloves, and hats for every student to navigate the cold Himalayan winters. This warm clothing distribution program has now become a permanent part of SuMa programming, providing these essential items to every student in need each year.
“My mother and father both go to work early in the morning. Sometimes I get to eat food, sometimes not. I am grateful to have Sunsar Maya at our school. I get to eat, play, do fun projects, and be with caring and loving dijjus [teachers]”
- Neha, SuMa ASP Machhegaun Student
“We work from dusk till dawn to meet our family's requirements, which is not enough. However, we are happy to see our children getting proper nutritious food at Sunsar Maya, getting an opportunity to grow like private schools kids which was out of our imagination. We would like to thank this wonderful program for bringing to our kids.”
- Reshma, SuMa ASP Machhegaun Parent
“We were never aware about maintaining good hygiene due to our own struggle. Money is never enough to fulfill basic needs. Thank you so much for giving us a chance for the well treatment and screening, we will try to take care of our personal as well as kids [health].”
- Chanda, SuMa WLP Student and ASP Machhegaun Parent
SuMa After-School Program provides children and youth living in impoverished communities with educational enrichment, medical, and mental health support. In particular, we focus on experiential learning that develops critical and creative thinking skills. Students worked on a variety of projects in 2022, everything from exploring our galaxy, to harvesting rainwater from rooftops!
As a result of the program, students reported feeling better about their:
Well-being: 80%
Self-esteem: 78%
Relationships (non-familial): 54%
Positive life choices: 51%
Academic success: 71%
"I lost both my parents at a very small age. I was sent to work at people's house, and I still do the same work. I am from the far west, [where] there are no proper schools. With a great hope I came here with my children. I am happy my kids will get a chance to learn at your organization, I am equally excited for it."
- Ranjana, SuMA ASP Parent/WLP Student
“STEM projects has always been to my keen interest but sadly, my school doesn’t provide us with those learning. Ever since I have joined ASP, I am encouraged and motivated to sharpen my own interest and follow the passion by developing my skills.”
- Batsal, SuMa ASP Student
“Thank you for providing useful stuffs [warm clothing and shoes] to our kids. We work at carpet factory, we hardly make an income depending upon how much physically we can [do]. This is really a big relief for us.”
- Ranjita, SuMa ASP Parent
SuMa Women’s Literacy Program provides women with the tools they need—literacy, numeracy, life skills, and improved health—to better navigate their lives and to, long-term, break the cycle of poverty.
SuMa Women’s Literacy provides instruction in four core areas: conversational and written English, Nepali, and Mathematics using a progressive, hands-on approach.
As a result of the program, students reported feeling better about their:
Ability to learn and succeed: 96%
Outlook on life: 100%
Sense of self: 99%
“Each day in Sunsar Maya is new learning. Recently I had to take my in-laws to the therapy center, where I did all the paper related works. I am grateful to Sunsar Maya for making my life easier through education. I am super happy!”
- Sita, SuMa WLP Student
“I am very happy to come and study at the age of 71. In today's class, reading and writing…became easy and fun.”
- Srimaya, SuMa WLP Student
For the last three years I was facing tooth decay problems, and reproductive health problems, never aware of personal hygiene and self-care. I [can] hardly provide food for my kids, and this was not possible for me to go to hospital and take care of myself. I am glad [Sunsar Maya] came to us and for our kids.
- Mina, SuMa WLP Student
I went shopping at the grocery store. The vendor is from the same community I live in. He knows that I have never been to school and he tried to cheat me by giving me less [change]. After that, I took out the list of items I purchased and started the calculation in front of the vendor and asked him to give my actual return…I am proud to receive an education at Sunsar Maya.
- Sumitra, SuMa WLP Student
Indra, 48, and Daya, 50, have been close friends for years. They’re so close in fact, they decided to attend the SuMa Women’s Literacy Program together. Denied an education as children, both women were eager to embrace education as a pathway to new possibilities.
“We learned so many things at Sunsar Maya. After recognizing basic letters, numbers, and words, we gained confidence. We felt like this is how the world is running, and at this age, we realized how important it is for a person to be educated. We never had the chance to go to school due to our family responsibilities. Born in the capital city of Nepal, we were only bound to household chores and looking after our younger siblings. We used to see others going to school, but we were not lucky enough to join them.
We had been hearing about Sunsar Maya in our community, but felt scared to bring this idea to our family members. We also felt that it was an awkward moment for us to go to school at this age. However, at the end of the day, we couldn't hold ourselves back from joining the women’s literacy class soon after COVID. After coming here, we were filled with enthusiasm and energy. We enjoyed the classes and were finally able to experience school, even at this age. We can say that we are one of the lucky ones now.
We finally have started working at a food factory. Acquiring this new knowledge has been so helpful in our daily lives. Although we only make a small amount of money in the factory, we are so happy to become more independent. At work, we can easily weigh food at a counter. From two women who never even recognized money before, to two women who are finally working. Nothing can make us feel as good as Sunsar Maya. We believe if you have a deep desire within yourself, you are able to achieve it.”
— Indra and Daya
financial investment
In 2022, hundreds of individuals, foundations, small businesses, and corporations made Sunsar Maya’s mission possible.
This community fed hungry children, filled backpacks with school supplies, provided medical, dental, and mental health care, and enabled 181,920 hours of classroom instruction.
We are so grateful for all this community does. Thank you for providing pathways out of poverty.
Global community of support
Building pathways out of POVERTY
Join the PATHMAKERS, our community of committed and caring people around the world that make Sunsar Maya’s programs possible. By giving monthly, you will help ensure that our students have materials and supplies to expand their education, qualified medical care to keep them healthy and happy, and teachers and staff that are consistent and caring figures in their lives. The PATHMAKERS are what keeps Sunsar Maya going.