October 28, 2025
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The students of Shree Jalapadevi. Credit: Kristina Applegate
Road to recovery
How did we get here?
2015 – 7.9 magnitude earthquake destroys thousands of buildings in Nepal
2015 – Three EF staff are relocated to Nepal to scout a project
2016 – Rebuilding is underway using earthquake-resistant technologies
2018 – Jalapadevi Secondary Public School opens its doors and first EF teachers arrive
What started as a project to rebuild a school following a devastating earthquake is turning into a long-term partnership to bring education and global connection to rural Nepal.
In April 2015, a devastating earthquake ripped through Nepal, razing tens of thousands of buildings and tragically claiming almost 9,000 lives. Homes, shops, hospitals, and schools were reduced to rubble, and remote communities were cut-off from vital supply points.
Bertil Hult, the founder of EF, heard about the tragedy unfolding in Nepal and felt EF could contribute to the recovery. Melissa Lam, President of EF Teach Online, was working in China at the time, and remembers Bertil’s motivation to help.
“I remember the earthquake happening and it being all over the news”, she recalled. “Bertil would travel to EF offices and schools around the world, and happened to be in China. Straight off the bat he said, ‘We must do something. We should rebuild a school.’”
That vision set in motion a project that would see EF rebuild the Jalapadevi Secondary Public School in Sindhupalchowk, a remote region of the Nepali highlands. The school was constructed to international earthquake-resistant standards, ensuring this school would stand the test of time for its 800 students.
But that wasn’t the end.
The full story of how we rebuilt Jalapadevi Secondary Public School.
Since 2018, EF has partnered with the newly built school on “Namaste Nepal” – where EF teachers from EF English Centers and EF Teach Online can participate in a month-long teaching program.
Between 2018 and 2025, almost 20 EF teachers from across the world have volunteered to teach in this remote corner of Nepal, living and working alongside the local community.
Lintle Motloung is one such teacher. Teaching with EF Teach Online in South Africa, Lintle volunteered in 2025 and was drawn to the program by a deep motivation to open the world to young people.
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In the foothills of the Himalayas: The school stands at the heart of the Sindhupalchowk village.
“My driving force is to impact people”, she explained. “English is a route for these young people to achieve their dreams. As a black woman in South Africa, I understand how our circumstances can be a barrier to our dreams, but that doesn’t have to be the case for these children.”
Kristina Applegate from the U.S., another teacher to volunteer in 2025, is also passionate about “seeing that spark” in children’s eyes as they learn. “Any dream is possible”, she said ahead of her trip. “I’ve taught English all over the world and truly believe in the ability to connect cultures through learning. I also know how life-changing these experiences are for both me and the children.”
Reaching the school is a significant challenge for the teachers, who often travel by a mix of buses, motorbikes, and walking to reach the school that lies almost five hours from Kathmandu.
Some of the children have an equally long journey, but several often walk for hours to reach this school nestled at the foot of the Himalayas. It means that the school is often inaccessible for long periods during the monsoon season.
“We can sometimes take our education for granted”, Lintle reflected. “Seeing the effort these children go through to get to school was powerful.”
In addition to teaching, volunteers also have the chance to explore the local area and connect with the communities surrounding the school. With lush countryside, soaring peaks, and eagles passing overhead, the landscape provides a dramatic backdrop to the Shree Jalapadevi school.
Credit: Kristina Applegate
Kristina said she loves taking the opportunity to immerse herself in local culture wherever she travels. On this trip, she joined another EF teacher on a three-hour motorbike journey into the mountains, visiting Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples, culminating in the diverse Full Moon Festival. For her, engaging with the local culture is part of the whole experience.
“It is a true expression of cultural exchange. Everyone is so warm and welcoming, with so much laughter and joy. To be part of this community and give back to it in some way is an immense privilege.”
After their three weeks, teachers leave an indelible mark on their pupils and the community in which they’ve lived. But the impact is reciprocated, with teachers finding themselves changed through the opportunity.
“When I arrived”, Lintle said, “the children were naturally a little shy and surprised at seeing a black woman. But after those three weeks, we bonded. It was heart-breaking to leave but I will remember this for a lifetime.”
This cultural exchange and the opportunity to open the world to so many students who would otherwise not have that chance is exactly why EF opened the school to begin with. Melissa Lam said:
“This program encapsulates the essence of EF: It’s about opening the world through education, travel, and cultural exchange. It’s at the intersection of what EF does best and our way of continuing to honor the project Bertil envisaged 10 years ago.”
Going forward, EF will continue to grow the program, collaborating to deliver life-changing moments for both local students and teachers working with EF.
2018
Jalapadevi reopens its doors
800
+
students
20
+
teachers with EF have volunteered
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