Shivaraj

Olgapuri Vocational School Electrical Program Alumna

Electrical Trainer, Olgapuri Vocational School, NYF

Growing up in a remote village in Nepal’s hilly region, Shivaraj understood perseverance from an early age. As one of eight children, he watched his parents—both farmers—work tirelessly to support their large family. The government school he attended was miles away, and during the monsoon season, the steep, muddy paths made the journey nearly impossible. “I had to skip school many times just because of the rain,” he recalls. Supplies were scarce, and there were days he and his siblings went to class without notebooks or textbooks—but he never let that stop him from learning.

After finishing Grade 12, Shivaraj’s formal education came to an end. There were no higher secondary schools nearby, and his family’s limited income meant he had to stay home and help with farming. For years, it seemed like his dreams of building a different life would remain out of reach.

That changed in September 2019, when Shivaraj learned about NYF’s vocational training opportunities through his rural municipality office. He was selected for the Electrical Trade training at Olgapuri Vocational School (OVS)—an opportunity he describes as “searching for a stone and finding gold.” The choice felt deeply personal. As a boy, his family had relied on dim oil lamps for light, and when his village was finally electrified, no trained electricians were available to fix outages. The experience left a lasting impression, sparking his fascination with the power of electricity and the possibility of bringing light to others.

The three-month training at OVS transformed Shivaraj’s life. With the practical skills he gained and NYF’s job placement support, he quickly found work as an electrician with a construction company in Kathmandu. But just months later, the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to return home. Determined not to lose momentum, he continued practicing wiring work in his village and prepared for the National Skill Test, which he passed with flying colors.

When OVS began launching satellite training programs in rural areas, Shivaraj was invited to assist a lead trainer in Dhading District. His enthusiasm, quick learning, and natural ability to communicate complex concepts in simple Nepali quickly set him apart. Before long, he transitioned from an assistant to a full-time electrical trainer.

Today, Shivaraj leads training sessions at Olgapuri Vocational School with pride and purpose. “I feel so proud when I sign the trainees’ certificates of completion,” he says. “Just a few years ago, someone signed one for me—and now I’m giving that recognition to others.” Many of his students come from rural communities much like his own. After graduation, they return home to electrify their villages, wiring modern houses and supporting the country’s growing infrastructure.

For Shivaraj, the most rewarding part of his work is seeing others step into a brighter future—literally and figuratively. His journey from a rural hillside classroom to the front of an OVS workshop is proof that opportunity and education can transform lives and communities alike.