Our Vision: ‘to take local families from lack of education…to opportunities for change and hope for the future’ .

The idea for Malagiri School began in 2007 when three educators, Geshe Pema Dorjee (Tibet), Kevin Fossey (UK) and Carin Soderlind (Sweden) visited this remote part of Nepal and saw the hardship and struggle for survival endured by the local people. They knew that education makes a huge difference to people’s lives, can provide a way out of poverty and lead to a brighter future.

Six children between two and fourteen years old, one barefoot and ragged, are standing together on rough ground near a farm house. The older children are carrying the young ones.

The Jangchup Pre-Primary School (the Malagiri School) opened in October 2011, roughly 50km south-west of Kathmandu. It is situated at an altitude of 2000 meters in steeply wooded terrain where farmed areas are beautifully terraced to allow crops to be grown.

The school buildings hug the mountain slope. Bright blue roofs, golden orange walls and colourful prayer flags over the playground show brightly through tall trees.
Malagiri School
Map of Nepal showing the 7 provinces and 77 districts. The school is in the district of Makawanpur.
School Location on Map of Nepal
The whole school are posed with children at the front and staff behind, dressed in uniforms of burgundy, pink and black.
School photo 2025

The school is now the beating heart of the community educating 60 children, with four classes for children aged three to eight, employs four teachers, two cooks, a caretaker and a guard.

  • It generates local employment opportunities
  • Raises expectations and aspirations for young people – especially girls
  • Offers real prospects for those children facing exceptional challenges
  • Provides an interesting and varied curriculum, informed by Montessori principles
  • Provides a venue for celebrations, performances, trainings and workshops
A group image of all the children dressed in colourful headdresses with a background of trees and Buddhist prayer flags.
A special day of crafts and drama to learn about and celebrate Lord Krishna’s birthday.
The edge of the playground is lined with families watching and listening to their children perform. Huge trees frame the view of a sturdy blue gate to the school grounds.
School celebrations are for everyone to enjoy.

Key Events

  • 2008 – Building work starts.
  • 2011 – The school opens on 10th April with 2 classes for children aged 3-6
  • 2014 – A third classroom is built, and 48 children (aged 3-7) now attend the school
  • 2015 – An earthquake damages the school. A fundraising campaign for repair is launched
  • 2017 – The repair and rebuild is completed
  • 2020 – The COVID-19 pandemic results in the closure of the school. Teachers make home visits
  • 2021 – The school celebrates its 10 year anniversary.
    There are now 4 classes with 64 children aged 3-8.
  • 2024 – All staff receive Montessori training. The internet is installed

The Malagiri School depends entirely on funds raised by Friends of the Malagiri School in UK and Trinity Karlstad, Sweden.

Jill’s diary. November 2024

Malagiri Impact Report