ABOUT US
Nepal was hit by devastating earthquakes in April and May 2015 Ben and Lyn Covelli have been traveling to Nepal for the past 35 yrs and now visit regularly to import product from there.
Soon after the earthquake struck Ben went back to see how he could assist. He arranged and with the generous assistance and donations from family members funded and distributed rice to 50 families in one village and corrugated tin sheeting for 65 families in another village.
Thousands of houses were destroyed and hundreds of thousands of people are living in temporary shelter, many just under plastic sheets and tents. Hundreds of schools had also been destroyed.
Lyn and Ben decided they would like to assist the long term. Ben has since returned to Chaughada the village where he distributed corrugated sheeting and with the assistance of the village they have set up a primary school and have registered an NGO as the trust of the school.
Meet Our Team
Ben Covelli
Founder
Ben is the founder of Advance Nepal and with his wife Lyn are the major donor of The Chaughada Progressive English School. Ben has a background in both social work and business. Ben is a trained social worker and worked in the areas of child protection before working in the area of marriage and individual counselling and therapy a well as running group workshops and working as an organisational consultant. Ben then entered the business world developing a retail franchise which grew to 50 outlets. Ben currently has an import business which is run as a social enterprise funding Advance Nepal projects.
Ramesh Kshetri
Financial Controller and Treasurer
Ramesh is the financial controller and treasurer. Ramesh has extensive business experience owning one of Nepals' most reputable cargo and shipping companies. He is based in Thamel Kathmandu.
Atula Pongen
Principal
Atula is the Principal of The Chaughda Progressive English School. Atula originates from Nagaland India but has spent considerable time teaching in Nepal. Atula is Montessori trained and has over 20 years teaching experience. Atula brings a very focused disciplined and imaginative approach to teaching.
Mahesh Panta
Chairperson
Mahesh is the school chairperson. Originally from the village where the school is Mahesh now runs a wholesale/retail garment business in Thamel Kathmandu.
Raju Dhakal
Secretary
Raju is our Secretary. He also has extensive business experience being a partner in one of Nepal's most reputable shipping and cargo companies. He is based in Thamel, Kathmandu