Maya Universe AcademyNetherlands

Vision

Vision

We believe that everyone has the right to good education. Maya Universe Academy opposes the way expensive and good private education reproduces inequality in Nepalese society. Because private education is inaccessible for children whose parents cannot afford private school fees, and public institutions often do not offer the same quality, the education system maintains social and economic inequality within society.



Mission

Maya Universe Academy was founded in 2011 by youth determined to challenge the education system in Nepal. Through social entrepreneurship and an inclusive curriculum, our chain of private schools makes high-quality education accessible in rural areas. Parents and other family members of our students work for our social enterprises for two days a month. Instead of paying money, they exchange knowledge and skills for the education of their children. During those two days, they build the classrooms, farm the land and help host volunteers. We thus work with the community to make education accessible in rural areas, while promoting sustainable community development and trade. We invest in our students' families because their well-being is essential to the education and future of our students.

We currently work in two communities in the province of Tanahun and educate approximately 260 students. Our primary school is located in Pokhari Bhanjyang, has four employees and 60 students. Our lower secondary school, and first branch is located in Udhin Dhunga, has 30 employees and provides education for 200 students. It is a boarding school for about 80 students. They live in Maya Home. All schools have a farm where vegetables are grown and where animals are kept.




Education

The education system at Maya has been shaped around the promotion of more social and economic equality. We introduce students to- and let them reflect on local and global social and environmental challenges. Maya follows the national curriculum and offers additional subjects and courses. We create room for discussion and give our students a lot of responsibility. Hence, we stimulate an open attitude and critical thinking. In addition, Maya offers a lot of sports and arts. There are dance and karate lessons, we have a theatre and we host the Maya football cup every year for surrounding schools. We furthermore start school days by reciting poems, singing songs, and discussing the news. During the school year, there are international guest teachers who introduce our students to other languages ​​and cultures. In addition, they often give workshops on various topics such as specific themes within world politics, climate change and racism. By offering a wide curriculum and stimulating a critical attitude, we offer space for everyone's strengths and interests. We introduce our students to different ways of thinking so that they can choose themselves how to contribute to a more fair and sustainable world.

The origin and continuation of Maya

Founded by three young friends Manjil (Nepalese), Yoon (South Korea) and Ian (United States), the Nepalese consortium of schools has from its start been carried by teachers and volunteers from the communities, and by a growing international social youth movement. The strong Nepalese base is embedded in an international network consisting of all kinds of different individuals and teams, who support the schools in their own way. In addition to our own Dutch foundation, teams are now active in France, Germany and Spain. Maya Universe Academy remains independent in the choices she makes as an organisation, and generates its income from her social enterprises. Maya simultaneously receives financial support from private individuals and funds that appreciate and support our working methods and believes.

We believe that sustainable positive social change is a slow but continuous process. That's why our students remain Mayans all their lives. Thus, we are still very involved with our first students and their families. We support them during their further education and life choices. Maya Universe Academy currently focuses on stabilizing it’s two schools and developing her education system. Ultimately, we hope to be able to open multiple branches with the help of our own Mayans and together make quality education accessible in more rural areas.




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