Our Team

Our Team

Our Team

Girls Advisory Board

Abita B.K.

Abita, born in 2011, is currently a tenth-grade student at Shree Jana Jagriti Secondary School in Chautara Sangachowkgadhi Municipality of Sindhupalchowk district. Having participated in the Her Turn Workshop in 2022, she now serves as the president of the Girls Support Committee at her school. As a member of the Girls Advisory Board, Abita is dedicated to guiding adolescent girls towards building self-confidence and amplifying their voices. Her future aspiration is to become a teacher, and she finds joy in pursuing her hobby of drawing.

Anika Baniya

Born in 2007, Anika is a student at Shree Bal Byabasayee Kendra Secondary School. Engaging jin the School Mentorship Program in 2023, she is a sociable individual, passionate about connecting with people and making new friends. Anika is actively involved as the secretary of the School Red Cross Society and nurtures interests in drawing, traveling, and exploring new horizons. She envisions a future as an ophthalmologist, driven by her interest in the health sector.

Anisha Nepali

Born in 2008, Anisha is a tenth-grade student at Shree Jana Jagriti Secondary School in Chautara Sangachwokgadhi Municipality, Sindhupalchowk. Having attended the Her Turn Workshop in 2022, she aspires to become a successful dancer. Currently a member of the Nepal Scout and the treasurer of the child club at her school, Anisha aims to lead and encourage adolescent girls, conveying the empowering message that they are capable of achieving anything.

Anjina Pariyar

Born in 2010, Anjina is an ninth-grade student at Shree Dugdeshwori Secondary School in Thumka, Panchkhal Municipality, Kavrepalanchowk district. Having attended the Her Turn Workshop in 2022, she is deeply passionate about dancing and dreams of becoming a doctor. Anjina seeks to share her knowledge with girls in her community, expressing her ideas through the Girls Advisory Board. Currently, she is an active member of the Nepal Scout at her school.

Ashika B.K

Ashika, born in 2009, is an ninth-grade student at Shree Dugdeshwori Secondary School in Panchkhal Municipality, Kavrepalanchowk district. She is a 2022 Her Turn workshop graduate and she aspires to join the Nepal Army in the future. Currently serving as the president of the Adolescent Girls Club at her school, Ashika is dedicated to promoting the well-being of her peers.

Bishnumaya Bisunke

Bhisnumaya, born in 2008, is a ninth-grade student at Shree Palanchwok Bhagwati Secondary School in Kavrepalanchowk district. Her participation in the 2022 Her Turn Workshop reflects her commitment to working on social issues and aspiring to become a social worker in the future. Bhisnumaya is currently a member of the Nepal Scout at her school, aiming to convey her opinions and visions for the challenges faced by adolescent girls through the Girls Advisory Board.

Gudiya Kumari

Born in 2008, Gudiya is a student at Shree Nandi Secondary School. Engaging in the School Mentorship Program in 2023, she is known for her courage in taking a stand for herself and actively seeking new opportunities. Gudiya's hobbies include drawing, traveling, and exploring new activities, and she aspires to become a police officer with a keen interest in social work. Eager to contribute, she expresses her interest in becoming a member of the Girls Advisory Board.

Jharana Shrestha

Born in 2008, Jharana is a tenth-grade student at Shree Sukute Secondary School in Chautara Sangachowkgadhi Municipality, Sindhupalchowk district. Engaged in the Her Turn workshop in 2022, Jharana is passionate about singing and dancing and aspires to become a social worker. Leading the Nepal Scout and serving as a secretary at the child club of her school, Jharana is a confident and brave individual aiming to lead positive change in her community.

Jeshika Tamang

Born in 2010, Jeshika is an ninth-grade student at Shree Palanchowk Bhagwati Secondary School in Panchkhal Municipality, Kavrepalanchowk. Interested in learning new things, singing, and dancing, she aspires to become a social worker in the future. Actively participating as a member of the Nepal Scouts and the Girls Support Committee at her school, Jeshika aims to contribute to solving problems faced by adolescent girls.

Prabiti Tamang

Born in 2009, Prabiti is a tenth-grade student at Shree Okhreni Secondary School in Sundarijal, Gokarneshwor Municipality, Kathmandu. With a love for drawing, she dreams of becoming a nurse in the future. Prabiti is confident and helpful to her friends, aspiring to see adolescent girls flourish with the support of Hamro Palo.

Manita Tamang

Born in 2009, Manita is an ninth-grade student at Shree Okhreni Secondary School in Gokarneshwor Municipality, Kathmandu. Passionate about writing, she dreams of joining the Nepal Army in the future. Manita aims to make life decisions according to her interests.

Rashmi Tamang

Born in 2013, Rashmi is a seventh-grade student at Shree Bhuwaneshwori Secondary School in Dharke, Dhunibesi Municipality, Dhading. Passionate about dancing, she envisions competing on international platforms someday. Attending the Her Turn Workshop in 2023, Rashmi is a confident and disciplined individual who values expressing her opinions and stands against suppression.

Salina Pahari

Born in 2008, Salina is a tenth-grade student at Shree Palanchwok Bhagwati Secondary School in Dadagau, Panchkhal Municipality, Kavrepalanchowk. A participant in the Her Turn workshop in 2022, Salina's curious personality and interest in traveling align with her goal of sharing knowledge and teaching life skills. Currently a member of the Nepal Scout at her school, Salina actively engages in community-building activities.

Sandhya Shrestha

In grade 10 at Shree Bhimsen Secondary School, Sandhya, born in 2005, resides in Chautara Sangachwokgadhi Municipality in Sindhupalchowk district. A participant in the 2022 Her Turn workshop, Sandhya's passion lies in singing, and she aspires to realize her ambitions in the future. She is diligently working towards advocating for girls, empowering them by imparting various skills. Currently serving as the secretary of the child club at her school, Sandhya is a committed and hardworking individual.

Sushmita Tamang

Born in 2010, Sushmita is a eighth-grade student at Shree Mahadevsthan Secondary School in Dhunibeshi Municipality of Dhading district. Having attended the Her Turn workshop in 2023, she contributes as a member of the Girls Support Committee, working to assist adolescent girls in her community and aspires to become a singer.

Yaster Tamang

Born in 2012, Yaster is a seventh-grade student at Shree Bhuwaneshwori Secondary School in Dharke, Dhunibeshi Municipality, Dhading. With a love for dancing and dreams of becoming a Nepal Police Officer, Yaster attended the Her Turn Workshop in 2023. Confident and positive, she actively participates as a member of the Girls Support Committee at her school.

Yunika Tamang

Born in 2009, Yunika, a tenth grade student at Shree Dugdeshwori Secondary School in Lamidanda, Panchkhal Municipality, Kavrepalanchowk, attended the Her Turn workshop in 2022. With a passion for singing and dancing, she aspires to become a lawyer in the future. Yunika, currently serving as the president of her school's child club, actively advocates for awareness programs in her school, showcasing her leadership qualities.

The Board

Sanchita Uprety is a dedicated advocate for gender equality and development with over a decade of experience in the field. As one of the founders of Hamro Palo, she has been instrumental in driving initiatives that promote gender equity and social progress. Her passion for social change was evident early in her career when she actively participated in youth movements. Prior to establishing Hamro Palo, Sanchita honed her skills and expertise through diverse roles in the development sector. Her academic background, including a Master's degree in Social Work and a Bachelor's degree in Development Studies, provides a strong foundation for her work in addressing complex social issues.

Pratikshya Khadka is a third-year public health student at the Central Department of Public Health, with a strong academic and professional focus on adolescent health, menstrual hygiene, and environmental sustainability. She brings over a year of experience in Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) advocacy to her role. As part of the leadership team at Hamro Palo, Pratikshya looks forward to creating meaningful opportunities for young people in issues related to gender equality and SRHR.

Sujata Shakya is a former fellow of Hamro Palo and currently a Bachelor's student in Development Studies at National College, Kathmandu University. She brings a unique blend of academic knowledge and practical experience to her role as Project Assistant at JAFS Nepal. Her journey has deepened her understanding of development dynamics, fueling her passion for GEDSI, climate change, disaster management, and public health. Joining the Hamro Palo leadership team, she aims to contribute to impactful initiatives empowering adolescent girls and young women in Nepal.

Prakash Duwadi is a seasoned financial expert with over a decade of experience in leading financial institutions. As a Tax and Account Consultant, he has provided valuable financial services to a diverse range of organizations. Mr. Duwadi's expertise spans various aspects of financial management, including tax planning, accounting, and strategic financial advice. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Management, which forms the foundation of his comprehensive understanding of business finance.

Anjila Bijukchhe is a dedicated social work professional with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. Her passion lies in nurturing leadership skills within communities, empowering individuals to become catalysts for positive change. With a strong foundation in social work principles, Anjila is committed to strengthening community involvement and engagement.

Rupika Tharu is a passionate advocate for public health and social equality, currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Public Health. Her commitment to community well-being is evident through her diverse volunteer experiences such as Served as Nepal's Country Ambassador for the Me for Myself Cohort II, focusing on mental health initiatives and Contributed as a Youth Activist Leadership Council member for YUWA Organization. As a self-identified feminist, Rupika aligns closely with Hamro Palo's mission of empowering girls through various programs.

Sunena Tamrakar is a passionate gender activist and aspiring legal professional, currently pursuing her BALLB degree at Nepal Law Campus. Sunena's expertise spans several crucial areas, including law, women's rights, leadership, human rights, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and research. Her dedication to these fields is further demonstrated through her work as a facilitator for various NGOs, including SOCHAI, Women LEAD, G17, and YUWA. As a member of the Hamro Palo leadership team, Sunena envisions forging lifelong connections within the organization and the broader community it serves.

The rest of our team

Advisory Board

Ola Perczynska, Founder, Advisor

Ola first visited Nepal in 2008, shortly after completing her Masters at the University of Lancaster. Since then she has worked with various NGOs in Nepal and Palestine in the sectors of education, agriculture, and water and sanitation. After learning more about the importance of girls’ education and empowerment and their situation in Nepal, in 2012 she founded Her Turn. She currently works with People in Need in Nepal. You can email her at ola@her-turn.org.

Daniel Coyle, Advisor

Daniel has over 7 years’ experience conducting program research in different parts of Nepal. Prior to the 2015 earthquake, he researched gender and the successes and failures of various development interventions in both rural and urban settings, and extensive work with Nepal’s marginalized populations in remote and earthquake-affected districts.

Danielle Preiss, Advisor

Danielle first visited Nepal in 2008 through a Fulbright research grant. She has since worked with various non-profit agencies in Nepal and the US on projects related to agriculture, health, and refugee resettlement. In 2013, she completed a master’s degree in environmental science at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and journalism at Syracuse University. Danielle has reported for various media outlets from Nepal and helps with Her Turn’s communications. She also worked closely with Her Turn in Nepal after the 2015 earthquake.