Bridging Educational Gaps In Nepal And Beyond 

Though our journeys began in different places, we were driven by the same deep desire to bridge the education gap, whether in under-resourced neighbourhoods in Nepal or underserved communities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Both of us had seen, in different ways, how access to consistent academic support could change lives. And we believed that young people like us could be part of that solution.

As classmates at the same high school and members of the same grade, we began working together—sharing ideas, conducting research, and exploring how to turn our vision into something tangible. 

We learnt that tutoring, especially when personalised and consistent, could be life-changing. We also saw how technology could expand impact, enabling students and volunteers to connect regardless of location.

That collaboration eventually led to the founding of Tutoring2Inspire, an international, student-led nonprofit organisation providing free academic support to underserved students while empowering youth to lead through service, leadership, and cultural exchange.

Since launching earlier this year, Tutoring2Inspire has made huge strides. We officially registered as a nonprofit in Texas on 12 January 2025. Our initial fundraising came from friends and family, and we have since raised over $2,500 through Donorbox.

In July 2025, we travelled to Nepal to launch Tutoring2Inspire's first international project: a fully equipped computer laboratory at Junkiri School in Jhapa. 

For many students, it was their first time touching an operational computer. The lab is more than just desktops and internet access. It's a foundation for digital literacy and academic growth. It's a sign to those students that someone believes in them. And it's just the beginning.

In Nepal, there is an urgent need to support students falling behind in English and math, not because they aren't intelligent or capable, but because they don't have the learning resources. That's where Tutoring2Inspire comes in. The model is simple yet powerful: connect passionate student tutors from high-performing schools in Nepal with students in under-resourced schools, either online or in person. This model has been proven in the US, and they are now piloting it through the new Junkiri laboratory. Tutoring2Inspire's long-term goal in Nepal is to expand nationwide, working alongside government and local partners.

We want to make this about more than just academics. By incorporating cultural exchange into learning programs, Tutoring2Inspire aims to create mutual understanding between students in Nepal, the US, and beyond. 

Tutoring2Inspire is already working with incredible local allies in Nepal, including Neelkantha Uprety, former Chief Election Commissioner, who has opened doors for Tutoring2Inspire at the national level, and Dwiraj Sharma, CEO of Alfa Beta Group and owner of the Salbari Villa, who has provided the organisation with extensive help in our Jhapa project. With such strong support, Tutoring2Inspire knows we are in a position to make lasting change.

Why this matters

For me, Jay Panta, this work is deeply personal. I have seen firsthand what happens when students are overlooked because of where they were born. As someone who grew up balancing Nepali and American cultures, I know how powerful it is to feel connected to your identity, story, and future. According to Education Week, research suggests that students, especially those experiencing socioeconomic challenges, academically benefit from having their values, personal stories, and identities lifted and respected in schools.

Sam's observations

Three summers ago, my classmate Jay Panta travelled to Nepal with his family on a casual visit back to his parents’ homeland. A second-generation Nepali-American, he had heard stories about life in Nepal and was aware of the lack of education in poor populations there; however, it was only when he witnessed it firsthand that he realised the stark education gap that exists, not only in Nepal but in communities worldwide.

One afternoon, Jay accompanied his grandmother to a small orphanage in Kathmandu where she often volunteered. He recalled watching her sit beside a group of kids, many around his age, as she guided them through basic reading and writing exercises. Despite scarce resources, the students were engaged, curious, and eager to learn. Jay vividly remembered watching the orphans share a handful of worn-down books, some of which his grandmother had brought, and realising how different their academic worlds were.

What struck Jay the most was that he could see himself in those kids. They were close in age, shared a cultural background, and likely had similar dreams. But while Jay was reading 300-page novels in an air-conditioned classroom, the orphans were beginning to grasp basic literacy skills in a space without reliable electricity. When Jay returned to his home in Dallas, Texas, he began researching why this disparity existed. What he found ran counter to a common myth: it's not that these kids are unmotivated or untalented—they don't have access to stable educational resources and support. That epiphany became the foundation of Tutoring2Inspire. Jay wanted to build something that could offer students like them the academic support they deserve, while also engaging youth like him to take action through tutoring, service, and cultural exchange.

Jay's observations

From a young age, Sam Keon noticed that not everyone had the same educational opportunities he did. He was fortunate to attend one of the top private schools in the world—a place filled with academic rigour, expansive resources, and endless chances to grow. But as he gained perspective, he began to see the extreme differences in access surrounding him. 

The wealth and education disparity in Dallas, Texas, and the US can be shocking, and it was eye-opening to realise how easily you could reach students with fewer resources and offer meaningful tutoring support.

It started with small actions, like personal conversations with students eager to learn but lacking consistent guidance. Sam saw firsthand that ambition wasn't tied to background—it just needed someone willing to invest time.

These experiences sparked an idea. Sam didn't just want to help a few students—he wanted to build something that could scale. With a deep passion for business and system-building, he began to imagine a platform that could deliver personalised academic support to students across the globe through genuine human connection. He saw how technology could enable tutoring remotely without volunteers needing to travel or relocate. And later, after co-founding the organisation with Jay, the system was in place. Sam prioritised tutoring students himself—staying directly involved in the mission he helped build.

And for me, Sam Keon, this work is rooted in both empathy and ambition. I have seen how stark the education gap can be. I have met students with the same drive and curiosity who were held back simply because they lacked support. That contrast profoundly shaped my vision. I didn't just want to help a few students but wanted to build something scalable and lasting. 

That's what led me to co-found Tutoring2Inspire. Systems and technology could be used to close educational gaps.

As Tutoring2Inspire's impact grows, we seek students, tutors, and donors to join our mission. You can contribute by signing up your child, volunteering, spreading the word, following social media, or supporting Tutoring2Inspire financially. Together, we believe that Tutoring2Inspire can empower the future through education.

(Panta and Keon are Rising High School juniors at St. Mark’s School of Texas and the co-founders of non-profit organisation Tutoring2Inspire.)