Sarmila Tamang

Bio

Sarmila Tamang comes from Tikabhairab in Lalitpur, where she grew up in a joint household of six members alongside her grandparents, parents, and younger brother. Her family relies primarily on agriculture for their livelihood, supplementing their income through a small furniture workshop operated by her grandfather. Sarmila was a dedicated student at Shree Buddha Secondary School, consistently ranking among the top five students in her class and securing a scholarship from the Lele Development Committee from Grade 5 through 10. Alongside her academic success, which earned her a distinction award from PABSON in her SLC exams, she actively participated in sports, public speaking, and community dramas, earning recognition from the District Child Welfare Committee on Children’s Day and winning a school presentation contest on climate change.
Despite her strong academic record, publishing her SLC results brought uncertainty about how to navigate higher education options in Kathmandu. Her path forward opened up when two Teach For Nepal volunteer educators at her school recommended her for the Samaanta Foundation Fellowship. Joining the fellowship provided her with the crucial academic and financial support needed to pursue higher studies. Sarmila went on to complete her Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) at Thames International College, driven by a deep commitment to becoming a capable, self-reliant leader and living by the belief that success is a journey rather than a destination.
Bringing her educational journey full circle, Sarmila currently serves as a Program Officer at the Samaanta Foundation. In this role, she actively guides and supports new generations of fellows, using her own experiences to empower students from rural and underserved backgrounds.