Jasmin Shrestha is currently working as a Software Engineer for music applications at Apple, Inc. She was born in Okhaldhunga, a small village in Eastern Nepal. She studied in Kathmandu because of lack of good opportunities for education in her village. Jasmin came to the United States after completing high school in Nepal. After graduating from Smith College with a B.S. degree, Jasmin completed her Master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rice University in Houston.

Jasmin is currently a member of the fundraising team and has taken the initiative to manage the company gift-matching program (http://www.nepalchildren.org/matchinggift.html). This program works with employees in companies that match a certain percentage of charitable donation the employees have made to a non-profit organization. NCEF editor-in-chief Aayush Sakya caught up with Jasmin in Cupertino, California to discuss her experience with the organization.

How did you hear about NCEF?

I heard about Nepal Children Education Fund from Barsha Shresha, a close friend of mine. She has been volunteering for the organization for a few years. She suggested that NCEF is a great organization to volunteer with.

I checked the NCEF website and I noticed it matched my interest closely. I believe that education plays a very important role in an individual's life. In Nepal, many children are deprived of this essential opportunity. Moreover, because of the Nepali society's tendency to favor males over females, female education languishes further behind.

Education is an important foundation for a country's development. By supporting children who do not have the means to study, NCEF is contributing to this development. Additionally, perhaps recognizing the disparity in educational opportunity by gender, NCEF supports more girls than boys.

What motivated you to be a part of the NCEF?

When I came to the United States to study at Smith College, my education was supported by The Wallace H. Coulter Foundation. They had a grant to support women from developing countries who were interested in science and engineering. I received this grant for four years and was able to complete my studies. Because I have gained so much by receiving this scholarship, I have been motivated to do something similar.

How has your overall experience been as an NCEF volunteer and how have you managed your busy schedule along with volunteering for this organization?

My experience with NCEF so far has been great. Before I started volunteering for the organization, I met with the president Om Prakash Gnawali. Om said that one of the suggestions he gives to new volunteers is to try something they would generally not have considered. That struck me as an insightful suggestion and I decided to help with fundraising instead of helping on the technical side. I am currently helping with the company gift matching program. We are trying to work with companies that match the donations their employees donate. It has been very interesting to try something new and I have really enjoyed it.

I try to devote at least three to four hours per week for the organization. It is not a huge investment on my side and it is certainly manageable. However, I receive tremendous satisfaction from my involvement. I also feel that with little investment of my time I can have a positive impact on the children that the organization supports.

What improvements do you think will be beneficial for the children and the proper functioning of NCEF?

I think it would be helpful to find more about a volunteer's interest when they start and give them tasks that they are interested in. This should help make them more involved with the organization. In general though, I am very happy with how the organization works.

Finally, do you have any general comments/suggestions to other people who are willing to help NCEF?

I am very happy with the teams I have worked with at NCEF. There are a lot of talented and competent individuals who dedicate a lot of their time to this organization.

Sarada in Kavre was happy to win a debate competition.

Ghyasang in Dolakha was excited to visit Himal Hydropower plant as part of a school trip. He was also was proud that he took first position in his class for the second term examination.

Ruku in Dolakha enjoyed her sister's wedding.