Shree Kshetrapal Lower Secondary School
Nuwakot, Nepal
In 2015, a devastating earthquake struck near Kathmandu, Nepal, claiming nearly 9,000 lives, injuring tens of thousands, and reducing over 600,000 buildings to rubble. Among the structures destroyed was the Shree Kshetrapal School in the rural village of Nuwakot. The earthquake not only took away classrooms but also wiped out the school’s library – a critical resource in a community where children often grow up with fewer than ten books in their entire homes.
Research consistently shows how transformative a well-resourced library can be for young learners, especially in rural communities. Libraries foster a love of reading, encourage independent learning, improve academic performance, and create a safe space for children to explore their curiosity. For the students of Shree Kshetrapal School, a library wasn’t just helpful – it was essential.
Recognizing this urgent need, Books of Joy partnered with VolNepal, a volunteer organization, to rebuild the school’s library from the ground up. Together, we filled its shelves with hundreds of books, ranging from curriculum-aligned materials to captivating stories that introduced students to new worlds and ideas. For the first time, children could check out books to take home, sparking a culture of learning and discovery that extended beyond the classroom walls.
This project equipped students with the resources to expand their knowledge and imagine new possibilities for their future. By rebuilding this library, we provided the students of Shree Kshetrapal School with a foundation for growth and learning – one that will continue to inspire for years to come.
