Bringing New Hope to the Teachers at Wana Secondary School
On World Teachers’ Day, the story of Wana Secondary School in Sankhuwasabha, Nepal, shows how your support is not only transforming classrooms, but also empowering teachers to give their best to the next generation.
For years, teachers at Wana struggled in unsafe and overcrowded classrooms. Many lessons were squeezed into partitioned halls, and teachers had no proper staff space. Despite their dedication, they often lacked the tools and facilities to support their students.
Today, thanks to your support and The Gurkha Welfare Trust’s major school building project, that has changed.
The village and community
Wana village sits on a flat hilltop in eastern Nepal. Once a remote settlement, it is now slowly developing into a small town, helped by new road connections. It takes around 7-8 hours by road from the city of Dharan, or just 1.5 hours from the district centre of Khandbari.
The village has about 775 households, and most families depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Some members also work abroad or take up small businesses and jobs. Poverty levels are not severe, but about 5–10% of families face financial difficulties.
The community is mainly made up of Tamang, Rai, Limbu and Newar groups, and education has become a growing priority as the population increases.
Safe Classrooms, Motivated Teachers
Two new earthquake-resilient classroom blocks, providing ten rooms, now stand proudly on the school grounds. Teachers who once worried about collapsing ceilings now teach in safe, modern spaces.
“Before, we were using rooms that could have fallen with even a small tremor,” said the school principal. “Now our children and teachers can focus on learning without fear.”
Another senior teacher shared: “We finally have enough space to teach properly. Before, we were squeezed into small rooms, but now we can concentrate on giving quality lessons. It motivates us to do even better.”
New Facilities
The project has also provided a safer and healthier learning environment. A new disability-friendly toilet block with menstrual hygiene facilities, an 8,000-litre water tank, and three child-friendly tap stands have made daily life much easier.
“Water used to be one of our biggest problems,” explained a teacher. “Sometimes there wasn’t enough for toilets or handwashing, and we had to fetch water ourselves. Now, with the tank and taps, life is much easier for everyone.”
The new desks and benches, together with the library created in partnership with PAHAR Trust Nepal, have given teachers resources they can rely on. “We always dreamed of a proper library,” said the principal. “Now we can encourage students to use books and study independently.”
Teachers at the Heart of Change
For the teachers, these changes are more than just new buildings—they are recognition of their hard work. Many of them have been serving the school for decades, often with little support.
“This project has changed our spirit as teachers,” one explained. “When we have proper classrooms, facilities and a safe environment, we can give our best to the students. We feel valued.”
The principal summed it up simply: “If this project had not happened, our students would still be sitting in unsafe buildings and our teachers would still be struggling. Now, both can thrive.”
Celebrating World Teachers’ Day
The GWT project at Wana Secondary School has shown how investing in facilities is also an investment in teachers. More than 500 students now benefit from safe and modern classrooms, but it is the teachers who make those classrooms come alive.
As one Grade 10 student put it: “Our teachers always worked hard for us, even when the school was falling apart. Now they finally have a school that matches their dedication.”
On World Teachers’ Day, Wana’s story is a reminder that when teachers are given the right environment, they not only teach – they inspire. Thanks to our supporters, the teachers of Wana Secondary School now have the space, tools, and dignity to keep shaping the future of their community.