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Empowering Dreams: Our Half Marathon Adventure

International Women’s Day was an unforgettable day for all of us. Eighteen brave girls, students, and volunteers took on the challenge of running a half-marathon from Damauli to Tanahunsur.

Get your own Maya photo book or poster now

The Maya photo book is still available, just like limited edition posters of 6 pictures from the book. Read below to find out how you can order your own!

Looking back at a succesful photo book launch!

2023 was largely dominated by the production of the first Maya photobook celebrating 12.5 years Maya Universe Academy. The Dutch Maya team cooperated with Jeroen Florijn a Dutch photographer who visited Maya in November 2022.

Greetings from Canada: A Message by Maya Alumni Bobby

Maya Alumni Bobby recently moved to Canada to pursue a Bachelor of Arts at the University of British Columbia. We asked her to reflect on her first four months there. And while it sounds like a big change, we are sure that it can only get better! Enjoy your time there Bobby!

A letter from Mr Saphal Bohora

We're delighted to announce that our friend and math teacher, Mr. Saphal Bohora, has been accepted into the Degree Programme in Construction Engineering at Hame University of Applied Sciences in Finland, commencing in August 2024. In his letter, he reflects on his experiences teaching at Maya. While we'll miss him dearly, we wish him all the best!

Get to know Maya Sapana

Our friend Yoon launched Maya Sapana, an inspiring venture offering exquisite Nepalese cashmere products. Currently expanding to the European market, Maya Sapana seeks stores to showcase their collection. the profits support Maya's mission.

Meet Nisha Saru Magar: Maya Alumni

Nisha Saru Magar, originally from Udayapur district, began her educational journey at Maya Universe Academy. Today, she's pursuing science studies at Sagarmatha Multiple College in Kathmandu and still part of the Maya family

A Journey of Leadership training and Cultural Exchange: My Trip to the USA

Our student Parbati got the opportunity to participate in an international sports exchange program in the United States. This dream came true as she was selected by the U.S Embassy in Nepal for the "Developing Leaders through Sports" program. Her two-week adventure in the USA not only involved playing football but also provided her with valuable life experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. We asked her for some reflections.

The Maya Olympics

In Maya, we recently organized the Olympic Games. Students from grade three and above actively participated in these games, with each team having at least one student from every grade. In total, there were 8 teams, named after different countries, including Saudi Arabia, India, USA, France, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, and China

"What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?" - A Journey to the Film Industry

For me, the answer was not a simple one. I wanted to be everyone. Influenced by movie characters, I would find myself behaving in a certain way, calling myself a princess of the lost jungle, a saver of the tribe, or a police officer. As my desires changed, there was always something in common - my love for embodying different characters.

Joon a Maya enterprise, created by 3 inspired students

"We are neighbours, childhood friends and part of the first batch of Mayans. Doing something meaningful and inspirational was always our motivation".

World Cup 2022

This world cup in Qatar has cost the lives of 6500 workers, many of whom are Nepalese nationals. Most worked in very harsh working conditions, no legal support and a lot of discrimination. Qatar didn’t take any responsibility and termed it ‘natural deaths’ giving no compensation to their families who received their loved ones return back in body bags at the airport

I have called myself a women ever since

Yade Sanitary Pads came to Maya to give a workshop to our students. It teaches young girls and boys how to make reusable menstrual pads, which are not only cheaper but also less harmful to nature. During the workshop they take time to discuss menstruation, creating a safe environment to ask each other questions and talk openly about this topic.

Shout out 2022

This year is a big one for Maya in terms of construction projects. While we're still putting the finishing touches on the third and final floor of the school building, the construction of the study hall and new dormitories for the Maya hostel is already in full swing.

Maya Universe Academy France

A message by Alice, the co-founder of MUA France, our new born sister Inspired by the work of MUA-NL and eager to support Maya, Léa, Thibault and I recently decided to open Maya French Foundation.

Maya Homecoming

For those who haven’t visited Maya Universe Academy, my words may seem a bit mystical or even exaggerated, but volunteering at this school located in the heart of a jungle does in reality feel like you slipped through the cracks of time and landed in a foreign place that shuns all that’s wrong with our world and instead promotes kindness, understanding, and most importantly love.

Update Maya Keshavtar branch

It was April, 2018, when Maya’s Keshavtar branch, named after the local town, came into existence. The idea was to take over an already existing private school with corresponding paperwork, and implement the Maya way of working to support the families of that area through good education for the children.

Maya Home Students

There are currently 75 students, aged seven to seventeen, living at Maya Home. After Maya Home students finish their 10th-grade Secondary Education Examination at their schools in the district's capital of Damauli, they move out.

Facility development

A new study hall, four new dorms, and new toilets are being constructed with the help of Het Amsterdams Lyceum.

Can I kick it?

Umita Rai (grade 9) shares her experience with learning how to play football at Maya.

Dance Dance Dance

Mamata Rana (grade 9) shares her experience with the art of dance.

The First Batch

Every year our oldest students faced new challenges, every year they had to struggle, and every year they exceeded expectations. This is the story of our first batch.

Karina Majkoti's journey

Karina Majkoti, who grew up in a small village near Maya’s main school, recently moved to Kathmandu to continue her studies. We are extremely proud that she received a scholarship to study at Manjil sir’s old school: St. Xavier’s College! The fact that one of our students from rural Tanahun-district got admitted to one of Kathmandu’s top schools is another sign of the impact access to good education can have. You can read her account of the big adventure below.

Art & poetry

Creative work by Roshany Ale (grade 10).

The Bright Side

by Bobby Rana (grade 10). Hola! Espero que vosotros estéis bien (Hello! I hope you are well).

Students take control

The mother of Goma, a 10th grade Mayan, came to the school one morning and asked me for some money to buy rice. She told me how several workers, including Goma’s father weren’t paid for the road construction.

Poem

The student who wrote this poem wishes to remain anonymous

Nepal Political Crisis: The Return of the Monarchy?

Is Nepal going back to the former monarchy system? The biggest question for many Nepali nowadays.

Welcome to 2021

Finally, 2020 has ended and a new year has started: 2021! Many good and bad things have happened this past year. One of the biggest issues was the corona virus that started from our neighbouring country China.

Young entrepreneurs

Manish, Krishna and Ashish have been students at Maya since the school opened. The first two are now in grade 10 and Ashish is in grade 9 for. Due to the long-lasting pandemic, schools had been closed for months and there was no source of income for many families.

The (st)art of teaching

Reijna tells you about the start of her teaching carreer.

Current Affairs

An update on the current situation at Maya

Checking in

Roshany would like to check in with you

An update from our oldest students

After the students pass the national exam at the end of grade 8, Maya enrols them in schools in Damauli, the capital of the district, for the last two years of high school. It's important that students get a taste of alternative systems of education, and hone their social and professional skills in the world outside Maya.

Maya faculties

Bas de Nijs, our Nepal coördinator, gives an update on the situation at Maya.

Current Affairs

In Nepal all school are still closed due to Covid-19. Bas de Nijs gives an update ont he situation

Natural disaster of corruption

In Nepal all school are still closed due to Covid-19. We let our students tell their story. A new poem by Bobby

Bigger and Stronger

In Nepal all school are still closed due to Covid-19. We let our students tell their story. Tika tells about her experience in the east of Nepal

A day in the life of Bibek

In Nepal all school are still closed due to Covid-19. We let our students tell their story. Bibek tells you more.

How Maya is dealing with covid-19

In Nepal are schools are closed due to Covid-19. Bas de Nijs tells us how it is going with Maya these days.

Natural Cosmetics

In Nepal all school are still closed due to Covid-19. We let our students tell their story. Rejina en Srijana tell about homemade natural cosmetics

Back to the village

In Nepal all school are still closed due to Covid-19. We let our students tell their story. Prabesh is back

Cooking Class

In Nepal all school are still closed due to Covid-19. We let our students tell their story. Roshany shares a recipe for Ludakhi Pasta.

You, me and the boy

In Nepal all school are still closed due to Covid-19. We let our students tell their story. An poem by Bobby

Nepal is completely in lockdown!

In Nepal all school are still closed due to Covid-19. We let our students tell their story. An update from Roshany

Life in the village

In Nepal all school are still closed due to Covid-19. We let our students tell their story. Utma is back to her village

A little further everyday

In Nepal all school are still closed due to Covid-19. We let our students tell their story.

Possibilities

In Nepal all school are still closed due to Covid-19. We let our students tell their story.

A day in the life of Ujwal Shahi

In Nepal all school are still closed due to Covid-19. We let our students tell their story.

Music & memories

In Nepal all school are still closed due to Covid-19. We let our students tell their story.