Our Story

From a small village in Nepal to a global community of support.

Aashirbad Foundation is a testament to the power of education and the importance of giving back. Our journey began with our founder, Roshan Dhamala, who grew up in a remote village in Nepal, walking an hour to school every day. Without access to electricity, computers, or the internet until middle school, he knows firsthand the challenges that students in rural Nepal face. This foundation is his way of giving back to his community and ensuring that today’s students have the resources he lacked.

Our Programs Our Team

Our Commitment

We are in this together.

We believe in the power of community. That’s why we work hand-in-hand with local leaders, teachers, and families to identify students who need our support. Our programs are designed to provide holistic support, from financial assistance to mentorship, to ensure that every student has the tools they need to succeed.

Community-led selection: We partner with local committees to ensure that our support reaches the students who need it most.
Mentorship and guidance: Our mentors, who are often from similar backgrounds, provide personal support and guidance to our students.
Regular check-ins: We stay connected with our students to ensure they are thriving, both in and out of the classroom.

Our Promise

Aashirbad Foundation is a registered U.S. 501(c)(3) (EIN: 93-4943678) headquartered in the United States, with a dedicated team on the ground in Nepal. We pilot in Dhading today, and we are building a low-cost model that can scale to similar rural communities in the future.

We follow U.S. governance, financial controls, and safeguarding standards for all programs, regardless of location, and we publish receipts and impact updates for donors.

Our Financials →

Our Story

Born from a teacher’s belief in education.

Aashirbad Foundation began in Jyamrung, Dhading, where our founder studied under candlelight, walked steep hills to school, and first saw a computer only after moving to Kathmandu. He later earned a BS in Computer Science and an MS in Software Engineering from Texas Tech University and now works as a Senior Data Engineer at Veeva Systems. The foundation is named for his late father-a high school teacher who believed education is the greatest gift. Guided by that legacy, we pilot in Dhading and design a model that can scale to other rural communities facing similar barriers.

The Need

The Reality for Many Children in Nepal

For many children in rural Nepal, the path to an education is filled with obstacles. Poverty often forces families to choose between sending their children to school and providing for their basic needs. Many children must work to support their families, while others face long and dangerous journeys to school, often on foot, through difficult terrain. Even when they do make it to the classroom, they often lack the basic supplies they need to learn, such as books, pens, and uniforms.

Lack of access to quality education and qualified teachers.
Inadequate school supplies and warm clothing.
Long and dangerous journeys to school, especially for children in remote areas.
The ongoing impact of the 2015 earthquake, which destroyed thousands of schools.

Our Process

Listening to the needs of the community.

Our process is simple and community-driven. We listen to the needs of the community and work with local leaders to identify students who are at risk of leaving school. We then provide them with the support they need to continue their education and pursue their dreams.

Community-based nominations: Teachers, principals, and community leaders nominate students who are at risk of dropping out.
Personalized support: Our team meets with each student to understand their unique needs and create a personalized support plan.
Direct impact: Your donations go directly to supporting our students, with regular updates on their progress.

Our Team

Meet the people behind our work

We are a dedicated team of volunteers and community leaders, both in Nepal and abroad, who are passionate about creating a better future for the next generation of leaders in Nepal.

Roshan Dhamala

Founder · Roshan was born and raised in a remote village in Nepal, where he walked an hour to school every day. He didn’t have access to electricity, computers, or the internet until he was in middle school. Inspired by his own journey, he founded Aashirbad to give back to his community and to help the next generation of Nepali students overcome the challenges he faced.

Bimala Shrestha

Board Chair · A lifelong advocate for women in technology, Bimala brings her passion and expertise to our team.

Rajan Dhamala

Treasurer · With a deep commitment to transparency and accountability, Rajan ensures that every donation is used effectively.

Goma Devi Dhamala

Program Lead · Goma is our on-the-ground leader in Nepal, working directly with our students and communities.

Our Values

The principles that guide our work

Our values are at the heart of everything we do. They reflect our commitment to the students and communities we serve, and they guide our decisions every day.

Empowerment: We believe in empowering students to become agents of change in their own lives and communities.
Community: We believe in the power of community and work in partnership with local leaders, teachers, and families.
Integrity: We are committed to transparency and accountability in everything we do.

Our Partners

We are proud to partner with a wide range of organizations in Nepal, from local schools and community centers to national non-profits and technology companies. These partnerships are essential to our work and help us to maximize our impact.