Kathmandu, Nepal - June 2025

Creating Futures in Nepal: Advancing Art for Children and Empowerment for Women

Part 1: Igniting Creativity at Bal Uddhar Secondary School

In a city where basic educational resources are a daily struggle, and art is often considered a luxury, PTGF stepped in to champion the importance of creative education.

We donated a full year’s supply of art and educational materials to Bal Uddhar Secondary School — marking our second major contribution to the school in three years, as we continue building on the art curriculum we helped launch in 2023.

Many students in Kathmandu come from families who cannot afford even the simplest art supplies. Without tools for creative expression, these children are denied the chance to develop essential skills like problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and innovation. Our donation empowers over 400 students to fully participate in art education, fostering brighter futures through creativity.

Children’s Struggles in Art Education

Children in Nepal face significant barriers to accessing creative education:

• Art is rarely prioritized in public schools, especially in low-income urban communities.

• Most classrooms lack even basic supplies like crayons, paint, or paper.

• Without tools for creative expression, students miss out on emotional development and critical thinking.

• Limited funding and overstretched teachers make it difficult to integrate art meaningfully into the curriculum.

• These gaps in access leave countless children without opportunities to explore their imagination or unlock their creative potential.

The Challenges Faced by Women in Nepal

Nepalese women face deep-rooted inequalities:

• Only 28% of women participate in the formal workforce.

• Unemployment and underemployment hit women hardest, especially in low-income and rural communities.

• Early marriage, limited education, and gender-based violence constrain women’s independence.

• Cultural expectations often prevent women from seeking education or employment, trapping them in cycles of poverty.

In Kathmandu, these realities leave countless women without access to the resources they need to build better lives for themselves and their children.

What We Made Possible Through Art

By equipping Bal Uddhar Secondary School with a year’s worth of high-quality art and educational supplies, Paint the Globe Foundation did more than fill shelves — we reignited imagination, dignity, and possibility in the lives of hundreds of children.

In a country where art is often viewed as non-essential and access to creative materials is virtually nonexistent in public schools, this contribution is transformational.

• Unlocked creative expression for 1,700+ students who now have the tools to paint, draw, build, and explore their imaginations in ways they’ve never experienced before. For many, this was their first time ever holding a paintbrush or choosing colors that represent their stories.

• Enabled teachers to deliver a more holistic, inclusive curriculum that goes beyond rote memorization — one that nurtures emotional intelligence, curiosity, and innovation alongside core academics.

• Fostered confidence, resilience, and healing in children who are growing up in communities often burdened by poverty, instability, and lack of opportunity. Through art, these students are not just learning to express themselves — they are reclaiming their voices and shaping their identities.

This wasn’t just about crayons and paint. It was about planting seeds of possibility — and proving to each child that their ideas, emotions, and creativity matter.

Building a Foundation for Women to Thrive

In a groundbreaking partnership with The Fixers—the globally televised reality series on BYUtv and Discovery Channel—Paint the Globe Foundation joined forces with RUWON Nepal (Rural Women’s Network Nepal) to bring to life a powerful, purpose-built space for women on the campus of Oxford Advanced Engineering College in Kathmandu.

Over five intense days, we co-designed and constructed a modern center that will serve as a safe, inspiring environment for women to access education, vocational training, and personal growth. While we can’t reveal the exact nature of the space until the episode airs, we can say this: what we created is nothing short of transformative.

• In collaboration with RUWON Nepal, a trusted grassroots organization, we ensured the space is culturally rooted, community-led, and directly aligned with the real needs of Nepalese women.

• Located at Oxford Advanced Engineering College, the center sits at the intersection of opportunity and accessibility—offering a tangible pathway for women to gain knowledge, skills, and support systems.

• Built to break systemic cycles, this space will help women move toward economic independence, self-determination, and long-term community impact.

This center isn’t about empowerment as a gift—it’s about honoring the strength women already possess and creating the infrastructure where that strength can flourish. The episode will air during The Fixers Season 5, sharing this incredible story with millions around the world.