TM
The Genesis (B&V Ratzlaff):
"On the first day of our first visit to Nepal in 2016, as we sat in the office of the Executive Director of the Nepali NGO (Sundar Dhoka) we were there to work with, a young teenage girl approached and humbly requested permission to enter. She and the Executive Director began speaking in a language we didn’t understand, but her downcast spirit and hesitant posture spoke volumes.
When she left and we learned the reason for her visit, we were stunned. She needed money to pay her grade 12 final exam fees—without payment, the school would not allow her to write the exams. She would not graduate. The 'impossible' amount that stood between her and a future? Just $40 USD. The shame and embarrassment on her face were heartbreaking.
Like you would have done, without hesitation, we reached into our wallet, pulled out two twenties, and handed them to the Executive Director. At that moment, a seed was planted.
That simple "investment" in a needy student, has turned into something much bigger—what is now the Prerana Education Partnership (PEP) in Nepal, and Helpers4Learners (H4L), the Canadian funding engine.
Helpers4Learners operates as a registered trade name of International Messengers Canada Society, a Canadian charity and custodian of the PEP Fund. Today, because of generous donors who share this vision, many more students like her are receiving the life-changing gift of education. We are grateful beyond words."
Our Brand Metaphor
We wanted to simply convey a vital concept. Even though a paper airplane may be perfectly designed for flight, it won't fly until someone launches it.
Kids are like this - needing nurture and opportunity.
Our Brand Name
Simply describes who "we" are -"Helpers", and why we exist - for "Learners" (who need help). This is who what we are and what we do. We facilitate caring "Helpers" that come alongside on this mission to help eager "Learners" faced with barriers to a life of fulfilled potential.
Our Tag-line
"Making School Possible". . . is our mission. But it means more. It's grade school, life-skills education, and hands-on transition to vocational training. Combined, this removes the barriers .
Bikash & Bijata Adhikari
Strategic Design
Other than being present in one of those "right time, right place" moments in life, and feeling compelled to help - we take no credit for the creation of the strategy that Helpers4Learners enables.
Bikash (the Ex Dir of SDSS mentioned above) and his wife Bijata designed the strategy based on her experience running a large education sponsorship program for one of the multi-national INGO's operating in Nepal. Bijata had first-hand insight into the strengths and gaps in the "big-brand" strategy and how to design a strategy that would be more life-changing for kids and families. In addition, she knew where the excess overhead costs were and how to build a model that is highly cost-efficient. Her wisdom and acumen has proven life-changing and impactful.
Needing an identity that spoke to the beneficiaries in Nepal, Bikash and Bijata branded the program "Prerana Education Partnership".
"Prerana" means "to inspire" - something we do by nurturing education and opportunity. In short, we call it "PEP", an intentional word play.
The "PEP Kids" are inspired by our help, and they have lots of "pep" - energy and motivation to learn and apply their talents in life.
Helpers4Learners - Canada
Prerana Education Partnership - Nepal
PEP Kids
Today - as we close out year 7 of PEP, we enjoy the successes of 80 PEP kids. . . We expect to grow the program year by year as more Helpers join our mission and "Make School Possible."
Bruce & Verna Ratzlaff with PEP kids
