Ms. Sanjana Shrestha, Country Director
Sanjana has been with READ Nepal for six years and has served as Country Director since January 2009. Under her 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. The NCLA is the first organization promoting libraries in Nepal. Sanjana’s expertise and facilitation skills have been critical in expanding the READ model to India and Bhutan. 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. She was the International Advisory Board Member for the Access to Learning Award of The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2009, Sanjana attended the Gates Foundation Global Libraries Peer Learning Meeting in Xalapa, Mexico. 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. Suhrid Prasad Chapagain, Business Development Manager
Suhrid serves as the Business Development Manager for READ Nepal. He works closely with community entrepreneurs, providing technical advice and helping develop successful business proposals. He has put in place a clear set of financial guidelines for business projects and assists READ country offices in Bhutan and India as an adviser. Before joining READ Nepal, Suhrid was with Rural Enterprise Developer’s Group, a consulting company for economic development in rural areas. He has worked with organizations like World Wide Fund For Nature in Nepal, the Center for International Studies and Cooperation in Nepal, Practical Action, Helvetas, Nepal Swiss Community Forestry Project and Asian Development Bank as well Lotus Opportunities. Suhrid holds a master's degree in business administration and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
Mr. Parshu Ram Pandey, Finance Officer
Parshu is the Finance Officer for READ Nepal. Parshu has extensive knowledge in the accounting of private companies, NGOs and INGOs, as well as in computer software and hardware. Before joining READ Nepal, Parshu worked for the Practical Action Nepal Office, a UK-based charity organization. He has a graduate degree in management and has also studied accounting and tax principles.
Mr. Chhatra Bahadur Khatr, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer
Chhatra Bahadur Khatri joined READ Nepal in September 2011 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, Chhatra worked with the Micro-Enterprise Development Program (MEDEP), a joint poverty reduction program of the Nepalese Government and the UNDP, for over ten years. He held multiple positions there, such as Enterprise Development Officer, Program Assistant and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. He also worked with the UNDP-supported Local Governance Program (LGP) as a Savings & Credit Mobilizer in Udayapur. Chhatra holds a master's degree in business administration from the Tribhuwan University of 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. Sharada Maharjan, Finance Assistant
Sharada 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.