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Uncertainty as a Path to Growth: My Gap Year at EWBN

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.

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EWBN and F1 Soft Group Forge Partnership to Drive Sustainable Community Development and Digital Literacy in Nepal

EWBN has announced an exciting new partnership with Nepal’s fintech leader, F1 Soft Group, marking a significant step towards sustainable community development through technology and innovation. This collaboration aims to amplify EWBN’s efforts in empowerment, engagement, engineering, and education by leveraging F1 Soft Group’s expertise. Together, they plan to turbocharge digital literacy initiatives, ensuring communities have the skills needed to thrive in the digital age. Stay tuned for the transformative impact this partnership will bring!

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EWBN Announces Partnership with Miyamoto Relief for Disaster Resilience in Nepal

EWBN is excited to announce our partnership with Miyamoto Relief, a Nepali nonprofit affiliated with Miyamoto Global Disaster Relief, renowned for its expertise in disaster resilience. With shared values and goals, we’re poised to make a meaningful impact in Nepal’s communities, fostering safety, security, and resilience in the face of natural disasters. Stay tuned for updates as we work together towards a safer future for all.

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Cultivating Community and Conservation: EWBN and The Revolution Project’s ‘Grow Your Pocket Forest’ Workshop

EWBN recently organized a one-day workshop titled “Grow Your Pocket Forest 🌴 ” in partnership with The Revolution Project, a youth-led organization dedicated to restoring ecosystems.
During the workshop, participants were introduced to the Miyawaki Technique for growing dense forests. The Revolution Project delivered an engaging presentation, highlighting the emotional connection to trees, emphasizing the importance of native species in ecosystem conservation, and providing practical guidance on establishing pocket forest
The workshop underscored the significant benefits of pocket forests in urban areas, not only enhancing visual appeal but also regulating temperatures, reducing air pollution, and promoting biodiversity, which are crucial for combating climate change.
Participants were encouraged to engage with nature through experiential activities, fostering empathy and introspection. Additionally, the workshop shed light on alarming environmental degradation, urging collective responsibility.
After dynamic discussions and reflections, attendees expressed gratitude, with one participant describing the workshop as unexpectedly essential. There was a unanimous agreement that workshops like these should be promoted by EWBN for their role in fostering community engagement and empowering individuals to drive positive change through awareness and action.
Encouraged by positive feedback, EWBN now plans to expand its workshop offerings, aiming to further engage and empower participants on a variety of topics as a part of our engagement and empowerment programs.
So, stay tuned!

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Innovating for Impact: EWBN Nepal’s i-Lab Sparks a Movement in Bharatpur, Nepal!

Engineers Without Borders Nepal (EWBN) celebrates a historic moment in Bharatpur, Nepal! The first i-Jatra (Innovation Exhibition) at Prabhat Secondary School in Terai, following a successful 5-day, 30-hour student accelerator program (SAP) under EWBN’s flagship project, i-Lab.
🌟 30 students and 3 teachers were immersed in an intensive innovation journey during SAP, transforming their mindset to view challenges as opportunities for local growth and innovation.
🌍💡 The impact? Students and teachers now see problems as an opportunity; a stepping stone to success—and are less inclined to prioritize going abroad for livelihood.
🎉 Motivated by this positive change, Prabhat School commits to an annual i-Jatra, fostering curiosity, passion, entrepreneurship, and ongoing innovation efforts! 🙌
🙏 Heartfelt gratitude to UNDP for initiating and supporting this movement, Prabhat School’s dedicated faculty, students, and staff members, cheering parents, and our support partner Karyashala. 🤝 Without all of your support, this incredible journey wouldn’t have been possible.
👏 Let’s celebrate the power of change, community, growth, and innovation! 🌈🚀

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Meeting with His Excellency Hanan GoderWhat’s happening in Nepal right now?

We are pleased to announce that Engineers Without Borders President Kapil Dev Regmi and Executive Member Vidhusi Rana recently met with Ambassador Hanan Goder and Michal Weiler-Tal, Director of South East Asia Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel. The purpose of the meeting was to explore opportunities for collaboration and to discuss plans for an upcoming visit by Executive Member Rana to Israel. We look forward to the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships in the future.

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Student accelerator programme at Prabhat School, Chitwan

In the vibrant city of Bharatpur, a transformative journey is underway for students and educators alike, through the Student Accelerator Programme. This five-day initiative is a dynamic foray into the realms of design thinking and entrepreneurship. It’s not just a programme; it’s a movement to ignite the innovative spirit within the youth of Bharatpur. The focus is on nurturing the next generation of thinkers, makers, and doers who are equipped to face the challenges of the future with a creative and entrepreneurial mindset.