When I first joined Engineers Without Borders Nepal (EWBN), I didn’t really have any particular skill that I could call my own. I was fresh out of high school, unsure about what I could contribute to such an organisation. The first day I walked in, I was asked a simple question: “What would you like to do here?” And honestly, I had no idea. I didn’t have any special knowledge or expertise at that point. So I responded with the only thing I could think of — I said, “I’m open to anything.”

At that time, I had heard a lot about digital marketing, so when I was asked to choose an area to work in, I went with that, even though I knew absolutely nothing about it. It felt intimidating, stepping into something I was completely unfamiliar with, but I saw it as an opportunity to learn. That’s one of the key lessons I’ve taken from EWBN — that it’s okay not to know everything at first, but what really matters is your willingness to learn and grow.

From day one, the people at EWBN were incredibly supportive. Even though we were only two weeks away from our first big event, the EWBN Fest, and everyone was juggling tight schedules, my colleagues still took the time to help me out with even the smallest of problems. They never made me feel out of place for my lack of experience, and even when I didn’t contribute much initially, they kept encouraging me. It was like joining a family rather than just a team of professionals. In fact, within a week or two, I already felt comfortable enough to joke around with them, and soon I was cracking jokes and making fun of my colleagues. It was this warmth and inclusiveness that helped me ease into the new environment without feeling awkward or out of place.

The encouraging environment at EWBN played a huge role in boosting my confidence. When you’re working with people who constantly give you honest feedback — both in terms of criticism and praise — it becomes easier to improve because you always know where you stand and where you can get better. They were quick to notice the smallest things I did well, and that kept me going. Whether it was staying late to finish a task or picking up a new skill on the fly, my efforts were recognized, and that made a world of difference.

Digital marketing was the first area I dived into, and it was a struggle at first. I didn’t know much about it, but with the honest feedback and guidance I got from the team, I started getting better. After a while, I was not only working in digital marketing but also assisting in event management for the upcoming festival. That transition from being completely clueless to contributing meaningfully in multiple areas was a direct result of the supportive environment at EWBN.

For me, EWBN became much more than just an organisation — it became a platform where I could experience what real-world responsibility looks like. The work they do is truly inspiring. From focusing on sustainability and the environment to education, empowerment, and entrepreneurship, EWBN is working on issues that genuinely matter. And being able to contribute to that mission, even in a small way, gave me a sense of purpose and fulfilment. It’s one thing to learn about problems in the world, but it’s entirely different to work towards solving them.

The first big project I worked on was the EWBN Fest. I was still new, and most of the work I did was related to this event. Since we were short on time, we ended up rushing a lot of things, and as a result, we weren’t as prepared as we could have been. But despite the shortcomings, the event turned out to be more successful than we expected. The only real hiccup was that the food sales weren’t as high as we had hoped, but we didn’t let that dampen our spirits. Our supervisor was incredibly positive and reminded us that even though we didn’t raise as much money as we wanted, we still raised something, and more importantly, we learned valuable lessons along the way. She was always there to motivate us with her life stories and words of encouragement. Her positivity was infectious, and it made a huge difference in how we approached our work.

One of the key takeaways from my time at EWBN was learning the importance of a mindset shift. In Nepal, it’s common for people to focus on the problems that surround us — whether it’s lack of infrastructure, economic challenges, or social issues. Many people are eager to leave the country, thinking that it offers limited opportunities. But EWBN takes a different approach. They see every problem as an opportunity. Whether it’s addressing environmental issues or finding new ways to empower communities, EWBN teaches you to view challenges as something to overcome, not to run away from.

This mindset shift is particularly important in a country like Nepal, where academic excellence is often prioritised over real-world experience. EWBN emphasises the importance of work experience and hands-on problem solving as skills that truly set people apart. The organisation’s holistic approach, embodied in their “6E” framework — Empowerment, Education, Environment, Engagement, Entrepreneurship, and Engineering — shows that there’s more to development than just theoretical knowledge. These are the areas where real change can happen, and it was an eye-opening experience to be part of that mission.

But perhaps the most valuable lesson I learned during my time at EWBN was the importance of delivering on your promises. In any job, what truly matters in the end is your ability to deliver results. There were times when I didn’t fully understand a task and ended up delivering subpar work because I hesitated to ask the right questions. Those experiences taught me that it’s always better to ask for clarity, even if it feels like a stupid question, than to move forward with uncertainty. The moment you hesitate to clarify your doubts, you risk missing the mark on your work, and that can change how others perceive you. On the flip side, if you consistently deliver quality work, even if you ask a lot of questions along the way, people will remember you for the results you produced, not the questions you asked.

In the end, my journey with EWBN was about growth — both personal and professional. It taught me the value of persistence, of showing up even when you don’t have all the answers, and of being willing to learn from your mistakes. I walked into EWBN unsure of my abilities, but I walked out with a renewed sense of confidence, knowing that with enough support and effort, even the smallest contributions can make a big difference. EWBN showed me that making a meaningful impact is possible, no matter where you start from, and for that, I will always be grateful.