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Christel House is proud to welcome Surya Bahadur Karki as our inaugural Global Pathbuilders Fellow. Selected from over 2,300 candidates from around the world, Surya is a bold and mission-driven education entrepreneur who brings deep community ties, proven leadership, and a lifelong commitment to transforming education in Nepal. “To me, this fellowship is a dream – a dream come true.” Surya’s journey is as inspiring as it is personal. Raised in a remote village where reaching school meant walking for hours, he knows firsthand the barriers children face when education is out of reach. “I was born in a village where a good education was a distant dream. Through scholarships, I was given a life filled with opportunities, and for the past 18 years I’ve worked to ensure that other children that have my past get the same opportunity. I’ve seen first-hand that a child’s potential is often limited by their circumstances, not their abilities.”

Surya’s career has been defined by building opportunities for others. Early on, he founded his own school before going on to co-manage more than 80 public schools as Country Director of United World Schools Nepal. His work is rooted in community ownership—designing solutions alongside local families, municipalities, and educators to ensure sustainability and long-term impact. He has also shaped education policy at the national level, advising the Government of Nepal and serving on the Education Council of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries.

Globally recognized for his leadership—earning honors such as the Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 in Social Entrepreneurship, the WISE Young Leader distinction, and the Prince of Wales & Unilever Sustainable Living Young Entrepreneurs Award—Surya is now embarking on his most ambitious chapter yet: launching Christel House Nepal through the Global Pathbuilders Fellowship. “I’ve always believed that someone else should live a life like mine, full of possibilities,” said Surya. “This fellowship is my chance to turn this belief into a reality. I’m excited to build this dream.”

With Surya leading Christel House Nepal, his personal journey of resilience and hope comes full circle—opening doors for countless children to realize their potential and build brighter futures.