Our Heart for Nepal — The Nagarjun Learning Center
Guiding people through the Himalayas is not simply a business for our family. It is a responsibility.
In 2019, Shreejan Simkhada and Samjhana Basukala Simkhada founded the Nagarjun Learning Center — a charity providing free education and support to children and families in Nepal's most remote communities.
Our impact today:
70 children receive free education and hot meals every school day
7 learning centres established across Nepal since 2019
600+ people received free medical care at Saldum
65 children have internet access — first ever in Saldum
160 women reached through empowerment programmes
3 full-time teachers and 1 health assistant employed
The Saldum Story:
In September 2021 we opened our flagship centre in Saldum Village, Ganga Jamuna-4, Dhading District — one of Nepal's most remote communities, accessible only on foot. Before we arrived, the children had no after-school programme, no computers, and limited healthcare.
The Journey to Vienna:
In November 2022, Shreejan and Samjhana travelled to Vienna, Austria — not for a holiday, but to raise funds for a retaining wall at the Saldum centre to prevent landslide damage.
They stayed with their friend Chris, whose father was a teacher and pastor. A senior United Nations officer living next to Chris's home saw their work and invited them to sell Nepali handicrafts at the UN Vienna headquarters canteen.
The project report was submitted to the UN and the Nagarjun Learning Center was verified and listed on the UN Partner Portal — making us eligible to apply for UN humanitarian project grants.
This is ordinary people doing extraordinary things, one small step at a time.
UN Partner Portal:
The Nagarjun Learning Center is verified and listed on the United Nations Partner Portal (UNPP). We describe this honestly: we are verified and listed on the UN Partner Portal — not a UN-funded organisation.
How to support us:
1. Book a trek — a portion of every booking funds the centre directly
2. Donate at nepallearningcenter.com
3. Volunteer — contact us about spending time at Saldum
With gratitude,
Shreejan Simkhada, Samjhana Basukala Simkhada, and the Simkhada family