"Opening that computer lab door unleashed unbridled potential and curiosity. Seeing the joy and wonder in the eyes of the children at the lab as they explored these digital resources served as a powerful reminder of why our mission is so crucial, reinforcing our commitment at Envision Education to empower youth through equitable access to technology and digital learning.” The words of Shreyas Sharma, the co-founder of Envision Education, perfectly epitomize the spirit of the initiative’s mission: “科技连心, 携手同行”--- hand in hand, bridging minds and empowering futures. This is the heart of the partnership between Envision Education and Vishal Group Foundation to bring technology labs to remote location students, connecting them to limitless opportunities at their fingertips. Upon joining forces in Nepal, the Envision Education team shared a traditional Chinese calligraphy piece inscribed with these words with VG Foundation staff to commemorate their shared passion and purpose of bridging the digital divide. Together, over the last week, they turned empty classrooms into full-blown technology labs at two schools: Koseli School and Life Vision Academy. As the teams set up, each classroom-turned-technology hub was full of the clicking of keys, the clatter of construction and discussion, and something greater than any piece of technology: hope.
The bridge they built extending across the technological rift in education has been in the making since 2022, when Envision Education was founded by high school students Shreyas Sharma and Rulin Huang. “We wanted to bring an initiative forward that brought digital literacy and opportunities to disadvantaged students, broadening their horizons through the power of technology,” co-founder Rulin Huang explained. Based in Shanghai, Envision Education now consists of six passionate visionaries, with Steve Yin, Amy Wang, Penny Kim, and Jonathan Lueth as new additions to the team. Last year, as their first project, they brought more than 60 computers to TanBo Elementary School in Zhaoqing, Guangzhou, a province in southern China. Envision’s ultimate aim has always been to bring digital education to schools in Nepal— they partnered with VG Foundation from the start of their initiative, but challenges with paperwork and shipping delayed the project until this year. After months of preparation and coordination with VG Foundation’s Mr. Rahul Shrestha, the Envision team was finally able to transform their vision into reality.
Vishal Group Foundation handpicked the two target schools, taking care to find the perfect rift to bridge and uplift. Both of these schools are free of charge to attend and previously contained only one to two computers for 82 students at Koseli and 100 at Life Vision Academy. Upon the Envision team’s arrival, they had the honor of meeting Mr. Trilok Chand Agrawal, the Vice-Chairman of Vishal Group, and Mr. Arpit Agrawal, the Executive Director of Vishal Group and Vice-President of VG Foundation. Looking over the sprawling pastel-patchwork buildings and mountain peaks of Kathmandu from the top floor of the VG office, the team greeted them with immense gratitude for their hearts of service and invaluable support throughout the project.
Upon arriving at each school, the team was greeted with a warm welcome— the smiling students draped us in bright orange chains of hand-picked marigold necklaces, gently extending their hands to smear striking red tika across our foreheads. They led the team into a room that soon filled with raucous cheers and laughter as the students performed traditional dances and songs, pulling them on stage to make hilarious attempts to follow along. On the first day at each school, the team spent hours setting up technology hubs, laying a building block of the bridge across the digital divide with every wire and plug they connected. Using safety scissors as screwdrivers, the team transformed the empty rooms into full-blown technology labs through which the students can unlock the digital world. By the end of the day, they had created a gateway into the digital world, each monitor a glowing portal of knowledge and opportunity.
Once the technology labs were fully set up, the Envision team began digital literacy training sessions in the following days. As soon as the door was opened, the students rushed into the classrooms with sparkling eyes and wide grins. This impact is captured through a quote: “Before we brought these devices, the students learnt digital literacy through paper and pencil - meticulously drawing out the parts of a computer, peripherals, and applications. Bringing these computers completely transformed the student learning experience.” The students were giddy with curiosity, their cheers echoing through the cozy classroom as they stepped onto the bridge the team began to build: “Computer! Mouse! Enter! Backspace!” As the team walked them through skills ranging from basic keys and controls to making presentations and typing in documents, the students became increasingly comfortable with the devices before them. By the end of the lessons, the younger students had created imaginative digital artworks on an online paint software and could freely browse the web, and the older students had made presentations about themselves complete with images of their role models and dreams. Though the students still have much to learn, the teaching sessions built the foundation for essential skills they’ll use for a lifetime. The team also trained the teachers in assembling the computers, running projectors, and operating other digital equipment. After they depart, the team will establish a continuous relationship with both schools, allowing digital education to flourish for decades to come. As Envision member Steve Yin reflected, “We believe that every child deserves access to digital education, no matter where they live or what their background is. That's why we're dedicated to providing schools with the resources they need to succeed.”
The bonding between the students and the team outside of the classroom was just as life-changing as the lessons themselves. They chatted with the team about anything and everything shared their dreams and aspirations and taught Envision members Nepali and sign language while the team taught them Chinese. Laughter filled the air as the students gawked at the team’s cameras, covered their hands with signatures and adorable doodles, and taught them their favorite dance moves. Amy Wang, one of the team members, shared, “Despite the unimaginable struggles that they’ve been through, the students were bursting with joy and curiosity, their infectious smiles melting the hearts of all of us.”
As the team hugged their goodbyes, they were reminded of their gratitude for the partnership that brought them to this point—through their shared vision and love for these motivated students, Envision Education and VG Foundation built two bridges that will stand as a testimony to hope, connecting bright young minds to the future they deserve. As the Envision team’s mentor, Joe Fambro, shared, “In the very computer lab set up by the Envision Education team, each lesson taught to eager students wasn’t just an act of teaching— it was a palpable extension of the bridge spanning the digital divide. With every click and code, the gap not only narrowed but seemed to close in real-time.”
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