Learning Beyond the Classroom

[Binod Neupane]

I was born and raised in a small rural village in Syangja, in a middle-class family. My father was a known man in our community for his bold presence and confident communication style. His personality was magnetic, so much so that I always wanted to be like him. He was a leader, a businessman, and someone who inspired respect simply by being himself.

Even with all his success, my father often felt the absence of formal education in his life. That’s why he always prioritized education for us. But he also had a unique perspective: he believed that real learning didn’t only come from books or schools. He used to say true education comes from the community, from people, from society, and from the experiences we gain through daily life and activities.

Growing up with that mindset, I began to see education as more than just grades or certificates. I pursued formal education as best I could, but I also looked for ways to create impact beyond the classroom. Therefore, from my young age, I learned the value of connecting with people, observing society, and learning by doing. I started my journey as a community facilitator in 2010, working directly with mothers and the community. That was the time I had the chance to truly understand the community, where I felt their love, struggles, happiness, aspirations, and vision for a better life. It was a time when I learned to facilitate, mediate, listen, and mobilize.

Along the way, I learned that leadership is not about authority or style alone; it’s about listening, empowering others, and staying grounded in the community you serve. My father’s influence was clear in every step: his belief in learning from life, in taking action, and in giving back became my compass.

Recently, I was introduced to the SALT approach through the Global Fund for Children’s team, and it felt like rediscovering my father’s wisdom in a new form. SALT stands for Support/Stimulate, Appreciate, Listen/Learn, and Transfer/Transform/Team. Each part of this approach mirrors the values he instilled in me:

• I see my role as supporting my team, children, and communities in building their own paths.
• He taught me to notice people’s strengths, not just their gaps. Hence, I try to celebrate what communities already have before adding something new.
• My father always believed knowledge lives in people. Listening to community voices has become central in initiatives like the Addressing Root Causes Project, where real solutions come from the people themselves.
• Education, for him, was not just personal; it was something to share and use to transform society. For me, SALT is about making learning collective, passing it on, and turning it into lasting change.

Today, as the leader of UniCoN, I believe practicing SALT internally is just as important. It helps us create a culture where every staff member feels supported, their efforts appreciated, their voices heard, and their growth seen as part of a bigger transformation.

Now, when I look back, I see how my father’s perspective shaped not just who I am, but also how I approach leadership and community work. Formal education opened doors for me, but the real education has always come from people, relationships, and shared experiences, and through SALT I am continuing the journey of learning beyond the classroom.

[Brinty Saha]

I think this is how SALT is creating opportunity to reflect & connect with what we have reflected in our mind already & what we're going to reflect.

[Rituu B. Nanda]

What a beautiful reflection about your dad. We all need to rethink and recognize the power of Wisdom and experience and not place it below academic knowledge. Thanks

I am eager to know more about your idea of a learning collective. So fortunate to work with you, Binod!