TM
The Beginning (Bruce &Verna Ratzlaff):
"On the very first day of our first visit to Nepal in 2016, we sat in the office of the Executive Director of Sundar Dhoka, the Nepali NGO we had come to work with. A young teenage girl approached, hesitantly requesting permission to enter. She spoke in a language we didn’t understand, but her downcast spirit and uncertain posture spoke volumes.
When she left, we learned the reason for her visit—and we were stunned. She needed money to pay her Grade 12 final exam fees. Without payment, she would not be allowed to write her exams. She would not graduate. The ‘impossible’ barrier standing between her and her future? Just $40 USD. The shame and embarrassment on her face were heartbreaking.
As you would have done, we reached into our wallet, pulled out two twenties, and handed them to the Executive Director. In that moment, a seed was planted.
What began as a simple act—an investment in one student's future—has grown into something much greater: the Prerana Education Partnership (PEP) in Nepal and Helpers4Learners (H4L) in Canada, the funding engine that makes it possible.
Helpers4Learners operates under International Messengers Canada Society, a registered Canadian charity and custodian of the PEP Fund. Today, thanks to the generosity of donors who share this vision, many more students like that young girl are receiving the life-changing gift of education.
We are deeply grateful. The seeds are growing.
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 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, Donors
Prerana Education Partnership: Nepal, PEP Kids (students)
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."
Year 8 begins mid April 2025 to 2026 - Bikram calendar
