Ms. Sanjana Shrestha, Country Director
Sanjana has been with READ Nepal for nine years and has served as Country Director since January 2009. Prior to READ, Sanjana was a Project Coordinator and Researcher with the Manushi for Sustainable Development organization in Nepal. Sanjana was also involved in project evaluation work in various organizations such as Save the Children US, Winrock International and German Technical Cooperation. Under Sanjana’s leadership, READ has been the driving force behind the strengthening of the Nepal Community Library Association (NCLA), which helps READ Centers advocate and lobby for rights. Sanjana’s expertise and facilitation skills have been critical in expanding the READ model to India and Bhutan. Sanjana serves as the READ Global representative for Beyond Access, a joint initiative of organizations working to raise awareness of the powerful role that libraries can serve as hubs for economic and social change. Recently, Sanjana received a Nomura Centre CONFINTEA scholarship from the UNESCO Institute of Lifelong Learning (UIL) to write an article based on empirical research showing the impact of sustainable community libraries. Sanjana was also appointed an advisory board member of Association of International Non- Government Organizations in Nepal (AIN) and has served as an International Advisory Board Member for the Access to Learning Award of The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in humanities and social science from Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu.
Ms. Pratima Sharma, Program Manager
Ms. Pratima Sharma serves as Program Manager for READ Nepal. She is responsible for READ Nepal’s program and training, including providing capacity-building training to READ Staff in Nepal and Bhutan. Ms. Sharma has worked for a variety of organizations that focus on education, good governance, life-skills-based sexual reproductive health, education, early childhood development, and institutional development. In the past, Ms. Sharma has worked extensively for women’s and youth empowerment organizations, developing programming and training materials for NGOs such as Pact International (US-based INGO), Samjhauta Nepal, and WOREC Nepal, where she led a women’s empowerment project against human/women trafficking. She has worked as a consultant for CARE Nepal, UMN, PDF Nepal, NGO Federation of Nepal, NANGAN, SVN and SNV. Ms. Sharma holds a bachelor’s degree in law and master’s degree in sociology from Tribhuvan University of Nepal.
Mr. Parshu Ram Pandey, Finance Manager
Mr. Pandey is the Finance Manager for READ Nepal. He also provides support on financial management and reporting for all READ affiliate countries. Parshu has extensive knowledge of accounting and tax principles of Nepal, as well as of accounting software used to maintain financial data and generate reports of private companies, NGOs and INGOs. He also provides financial expertise for project evaluation of INGOs for the Social Welfare Council (SWC). Prior to joining READ, Mr. Pandey worked for the Memorex Group of Companies, Hope Nepal, Mount Digit Technology, Sustainable Solutions, National Council of Churches of Nepal, and Practical Action. He also volunteered with the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Nepal as a financial and computer technical advisor. Parshu has led several trainings – including a MoneyWorks accounting software training for the Nepal Red Cross Society, United Mission to Nepal, and several other private institutions, as well as a training program on QuickBooks jointly organized by READ Bhutan and Bhutan Foundation office in Bhutan.
Mr. Chhatra Bahadur Khatri, Business Development Manager
Chhatra has been working as Business Development Manager (BDM) for READ Nepal since September of 2012. Previously, he served as Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at READ for a year. Chhatra is responsible for assessing the sustainability capacity of READ libraries and sustaining enterprises; as well as identifying their risks and challenges. He provides technical guidance for business plans for sustaining enterprises and entrepreneurship development of community members for commercial and social enterprise promotion and livelihood improvement. Prior to joining READ, Chhatra worked with the Micro-Enterprise Development Program (MEDEP), a joint poverty reduction program of Nepal Government and the UNDP for over ten years where he held multiple positions such as Enterprise Development Officer, Program Assistant and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. He also worked as Saving Credit Mobilizer in Local Governance Program (LGP) supported by UNDP. Chhatra holds a Master's Degree in Business administration (MBA) from the Tribhuwan University of Nepal.
Mr. Durgesh Kumar Yogi, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer
Durgesh joined READ Nepal in July of 2012 as Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. He is responsible for the overall monitoring and evaluation of READ Nepal, and provides support to READ India and Bhutan as well. Prior to joining READ, Durgesh worked with Partnership for Sustainable Development Nepal, UNICEF Nepal, and the District AIDS Committee of Dang. Durgesh holds a master's degree in public health from State University of Bangladesh and a bachelors in commerce from Tribhuvan University in Nepal.
Mr. Arjun Maharjan, Information Communications Technology (ICT) Administrator
Arjun joined READ Nepal in July 2008 as a Program Assistant. From May 2010 until 2012, he acted as Field Supervisor. Currently, he is the focal person of READ Nepal for implementing ICT programs in READ Centers, for assisting the local ICT consultant, and for preparing ICT guidelines. Arjun has expert technical knowledge of computers, photography and video editing. He is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Business Studies from Tribhuvan University, Nepal.
Ms. Pushpa Bhadel, Admin Officer
Pushpa has served as the Admin Coordinator for READ Nepal since May 2008. She is responsible for overall administration, human resource management and coordination in the READ Nepal office. Pushpa has written extensively on international development and made presentations at numerous conferences on a variety of topics concerning rural and international development and gender studies. She holds a bachelor's degree in business from Tribhuwan University and a master's in rural development and gender studies from Purbanchal University in Nepal.
Mr. Raju Babu Shrestha, Program Officer
Raju served as a volunteer in the Kathmandu office for almost two years before joining READ Nepal as an Assistant Field Coordinator in January 2004. As a Field Officer for READ Nepal, his duties include training, monitoring, supervision and providing technical support to READ Centers. Raju holds a bachelor's degree and is working on a master's degree in sociology.
Mr. Chin Kaji Shrestha, Program Officer
Chin Kaji served as a volunteer in the Kathmandu office for over two years before joining READ Nepal as a Field Coordinator in December 2000. He is now Field Officer, spending most of his time in the field monitoring and supervising sites and providing technical assistance and training to librarians.
Ms. Sushmita Lama, Program Assistant
Sushmita Lama joined READ Nepal as an intern in February 2012 and was promoted to Project Assistant in May 2012. She is responsible for preparing regular monthly reports, activity reports and the annual report, assisting in grant writing for projects to external donors as well as assisting the Country Director. Prior to joining READ, she worked as a Facilitator for three months for a school-based hand washing program for UNICEF and the National Health, Education, Information and Communication Center (NHIECC) in Kathmandu valley. She holds a bachelor's degree in Microbiology from Tribhuwan University in Nepal and a master's degree in Microbiology from Bangalore University in India.
Ms. Sarada Maharjan, Finance Assistant
Sarada is a Finance Assistant for READ Nepal. She is responsible for maintaining READ Nepal's financial and accounting needs, as well as assisting the Finance Officer. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Management and previously volunteered as a Financial and Administrative Assistant.
Ms. Devi Maya Rai, Office Aid
Devi is the READ Nepal Office Aid. She handles miscellaneous duties to ensure the smooth operation of the office.