Please donate to my Team Dayā fundraising effort – all funds go directly to building schools. If you are curious about Building Change with Team Dayā, please contact our Head of Recruiting Jaryd Knutsen.

By Team Dayā member Purwa Jain

In March 2024, I embarked on a journey that would forever alter my perspective on education, community, and the power of collective action. Joining forces with Team Dayā, an organisation dedicated to building schools in some of the most impoverished countries, I ventured into the village of Hardahani with a singular mission: to make a tangible difference through education.

As we commenced our trek, we visited our first school in Dhayapur. It was there, amidst the walls of a school we had constructed in 2019, that I encountered Radha, a determined seventh-grader with aspirations of becoming a pilot. Radha’s story of living apart from her family to pursue her education moved me. Witnessing her unwavering determination and the impact of the school on her dreams reaffirmed my belief in the transformative power of education.

It was during the opening ceremony of our latest project in Hardahani that I was granted the opportunity to address the community, particularly the girls whose futures we aimed to shape. In my speech, I shared my own journey, born out of defiance against societal norms that deemed educating girls futile. I spoke of the obstacles my parents faced and the triumphs that followed, emphasising the inherent right of every girl to dream and achieve.

The resonance of my words within the community, echoed by Mayor Sushila Shahi in her own address, was a testament to the collective desire for change. As we broke ground for the new school, each shovel of earth symbolised not just the construction of a building but the planting of seeds for a brighter future.

In the days that followed, I fully immersed myself in the communal efforts, eagerly absorbing invaluable skills at every turn. At the construction site, I delved into the intricacies of rebar, quickly discovering the physical strength required to twist and bend those resilient steel wires and bars. However, when it came to tasks like shoveling and sieving sand, I found myself challenged in unexpected ways. Admittedly, I struggled with these tasks, fumbling with the shovel and sieve as I attempted to grasp the technique. As the digging phase concluded, the process of filling in with concrete brought a new level of excitement and satisfaction. Working alongside locals, I marveled at the teamwork and dedication driving our shared goal of building a brighter future.

Beyond the construction site, our engagement with the community extended to learning traditional crafts like embroidery and learning the art of Nepalese cuisine. Grinding lentils and cooking together brought us closer, fostering a sense of togetherness and appreciation for the simple pleasures of community life.

Our gender talk session, where we tackled taboo topics like child marriage and contraceptives with the women of Hardahani, proved to be a pivotal moment in breaking down barriers and fostering understanding. These candid conversations not only opened doors for education and empowerment but also strengthened the bonds of solidarity within the community. In every interaction, I witnessed the resilience and determination of the Nepalese people, inspiring me to continue my commitment to positive change.

Among the highlights of my experience was the warmth and hospitality extended by our host family, particularly Sarmila, a 21-year-old managing her household in the absence of her parents. Her selflessness and resilience left an indelible impression on me, a reminder of the strength inherent within every individual, regardless of circumstance.

As I bid farewell to Hardhani, I carried with me not only memories captured in photographs but a renewed sense of purpose and commitment. My journey with Team Dayā had been transformative, instilling in me a fervent determination to continue contributing to the cause of education, wherever and whenever possible.

In the majestic landscapes of the Terai region, amidst the resilient spirit of the Nepalese people, I found not just inspiration but a profound sense of fulfilment. And as I looked towards the horizon, I knew that the seeds we had sown in Hardahani would blossom into a future of endless possibilities for generations to come.

Please donate to my Team Dayā fundraising effort – all funds go directly to building schools.

Three Ways You Can Help

1. Make a Donation Online
   • Example investment opportunities:
   • $100 Five shovels for excavating the school’s solid foundation
   • $250 All the nails, nuts, and bolts to build a roof for the school
   • $500 In-country mason during the entire construction of the school
   • $1,000 Paint for a school
   • $40,000 Fund an entire school
2. Spread the Word
   • Share our mission with your friends, your company and your industry
   • Invite us to speak about our mission to your network
   • Follow us on our website (subscribe), LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
3. Join the Team & Travel on a School Build
   • If you have a combination of fundraising chops, an adventurous spirit and the belief each of us has the capacity to be Building Change, get in touch with us and have a conversation.

Team Dayā 2024 Plans

In 2024, we plan to build schools in Nepal (March), Senegal (June 2024) and Guatemala (December 2024). These ground breakings will be our second school in each of these countries. 

The exact start dates are:

• Sunday, March 17, 2024 – Nepal (arrive Kathmandu) [groundbreaking completed]
• Sunday, June 23, 2024 – Senegal (arrive Dakar) [full, no more capacity]
• Sunday, December 1, 2024 – Guatemala (arrive Guatemala City) [available]
• A 2025 schedule will be published by this summer.

If you are curious to learn more about joining a build, please reach out to our Head of Recruiting Jaryd Knutsen.