We are guided by the following values, which breathe through all aspects of our organization.

1. Support female educationGirls and young women in Nepal often have less opportunity to access education than males. The current ratio of boys to girls in primary and secondary school is almost 2:1, and this imbalance in the classroom leads to the social disempowerment of Nepali women. While NCEP does not believe in making cultural impositions, we believe that gender equality is a universal value, and one to which both our Canadian and Nepali teams are committed. For this reason, our target is for at least 50% female scholars.

2. Empower the disadvantagedWhile females represent one marginalized group in Nepal, other factors such as background, language, religion, and family can also form barriers to education. We believe that every child has the right to go to school, and often work with agencies that support families from disadvantaged groups when seeking out new prospective scholars. Any child with a passion to learn, supportive home environment, and financial need can be an NCEP scholar, and by meeting regularly with each of our students, NCEP Nepal team members can attend to the additional challenges that a child from a marginalized group may face at school.

3. Embrace equal partnershipWhen a western-based organization engages in social work in a developing country, eyebrows are often raised, and rightfully. This type of work gives rise to concerns of a skewed power dynamic whereby the foreign organization – well-intentioned as it may be – imposes its will on the host country, creating dependency, and not necessarily promoting the interests of the people, groups, or institutions it set out to help. The difference with NCEP is that we are not a western-based organization. From our vision, mission, and values to our everyday operations, we strive to be a true and equal partnership through and through. While NCEP Canada is responsible for fundraising activities, NCEP Nepal takes the lead in shaping our Nepali operations. All program decisions are made jointly and without hierarchy. NCEP was built on the foundation of friendship between its Nepali and Canadian co-founders, and the spirit of mutual respect and inclusivity that this entails flows through our organization.

4. Promote collaborationPartnership and inclusivity also means forging ties with external groups whose values align with ours. From facilities improvement, to literacy programs, to women’s empowerment, to teacher training, there are many organizations that focus on different – and vital – pieces of enabling education and empowering individuals, families, and communities to rise out of poverty. We want to help bring these groups together and become part of a bigger picture.

5. Create sustainability wthout dependencyWe make a commitment to every one of our NCEP scholars. We will never discontinue support of a student who meets the renewal criteria each year – except in extraordinary circumstances, such as if the student moves to a region where we have no presence – and will not seek to add new students unless we are able to maintain this same level of commitment. When an NCEP scholar nears the completion of his/her secondary school, we will make every effort to enable the continued pursuit of his/her future aspirations.While our model is designed to foster stability and sustainability, it is also structured to avoid creating dependency. We exist to serve the students we sponsor, and their families; we do not ask for or expect anything in return. Education is a valuable form of aid that empowers people to help themselves, and if we can enable a fulfilling and enjoyable educational experience for our scholars, then we believe we have succeeded.