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About us

The Sapana Nepal Family

EMILY Ward, Director (USA)

For the past 20 years, Emily has pursued her passion and work in Early Childhood Education and Family Support Services across the globe. Her focus has been on providing high quality support and guidance to students and families. Emily is fully certified in Montessori education and has worked with students and families internationally throughout her career. She has a deep calling to support students and families in underserved communities. Emily met Nicole and Rajesh in Nepal in 2009. The three had an immediate bond that has grown and blossomed over the past decade. Emily has been a devoted board member of Sapana Nepal Projects (SNP) for twelve years and has supported SNP programs, along with other service projects. In the summer of 2021, Emily graciously accepted the role of Director. She is thrilled to take on this leadership role with Sapana Nepal Projects and looks forward to helping our team reach our goals in 2023 and beyond!

Sapana Nepal Projects - Emily Ward
Sapana Nepal - RAJESH PARIYAR

RAJESH PARIYAR, Co-founder, Director (Pumdi, Nepal)

When Rajesh was just five years old, he lost his parents in a tragic landslide. With no one to care for him, he became an orphan. A family in the village of Pumdi, Nepal took him in and cared for him, but he was not treated fairly and forced to sleep outside with the buffalo. He was not allowed to go to school like other children. Today, Rajesh dedicates his life to his family and to Sapana Nepal Projects.

His focus as Director is to oversee the operations of SNP, and plan and organize all projects with the local community. He partners with Pumdi villagers, parents, neighbors and politicians. Rajesh is s natural leader and cares deeply for creating lasting friendships and partnerships. He maintains strong relationships with the villagers and always lends a helping hand to those in need. Rajesh and Nicole have worked tirelessly to ensure Sapana Nepal Projects runs smoothly and collaborate and review regularly to promote the growth and continued success of the organization.

NICOLE ZITO, Co-founder & Board Member (USA)

In 2006, Nicole took her passion for helping others and strong interest in Buddhism and Eastern religions and traveled to India and Nepal to work as a volunteer. Nicole met Rajesh upon arrival in Nepal and immediately a lasting friendship was formed. Together, Nicole and Rajesh combined efforts and decided they wanted to create an organization that would support lower caste communities with a focus on education, women and sustainable farming. In 2008, Sapana Nepal Projects was born!
Today, Nicole serves as the Director of the Thubten Kunga Ling (Buddhist Center in Deerfield Beach, FL.) and is a board member of SNP. Her focus is on creating a more sustainable future for SNP.

Sapana Nepal - Nicole Zito

Our Teacher

LAXMI PARIYAR, ECE Head Teacher (Pumdi, Nepal)

Laxmi was invited in 2009 to join the Sapana Nepal ECE Center. As Head teacher, she is kind, compassionate and treats each child as her own. Laxmi is a passionate ECE educator and has continued her professional growth and development by attending teacher training, field trips, and participating in hands-on learning opportunities. Many call her Guru Amaa (respected mother and teacher) and her tremendous impact, growth, and efforts has significantly helped shape Sapana Nepal Projects ECE program. Laxmi is a mother to her beautiful daughter Salina, the light of her life. Laxmi’s position at our center allows her to live a more fulfilling and empowering life and we are honored to have had her on our team since day one!

Sapana Nepal - LAXMI PARIYAR - ECD-Head-Teacher

Sapana Nepal Projects - Amy Crawford

Amy Crawford, Community Content Specialist (USA)

Amy Crawford is passionate about education and has worked with children for over twenty years. Amy is Montessori certified and loves working with primary aged children. She now works as a Communications Coordinator and Copy Editor and is thrilled to help an organization she has heard so much about over the years from her dear friend, Emily. Amy is excited to help in any capacity with such an incredible organization!

Sapana Nepal - How we started

The beginning of Sapana Nepal Projects

In 2006, Rajesh Pariyar and Nicole Zito met in Pokhara, Nepal. They had an immediate connection as friends and Rajesh offered to guide Nicole on the Annapurna Circuit trek. After learning more about one another Rajesh shared more with Nicole about his difficult upbringing as an orphan, which inspired discussions around the importance of education, and supporting the development of young children.

During their spiritual journey across the Himalayas and with their shared dream of improving the lives of Nepalese children and villagers, they decided that together they would build an Early Childhood Center in the hopes of enhancing the opportunities for education to all children and village members from all castes and backgrounds.
In 2008, Nicole returned to Nepal for a year. After much planning and hard work to make their “ dream”, which means Sapana in the Nepalese language, Sapana Nepal Projects was officially formed!


Sapana Nepal Projects is located in the small village of Pumdi, just outside the city of Pokhara, in the central hills of Nepal. Pumdi is a village that consists of over 50 households and is made up of multiple castes.