The Nepal Bhotia Education Center (NBEC), was created in 2000 by ETC Board Member Josh Brody and Chhongduk Bhotia. NBEC works with about 300 children and adults who live in Sankhuwasabha district, which lies along the Tibetan border in northeastern Nepal. Most of the Shingsa Bhotia people practice Tibetan Buddhism and, thanks to NBEC, they are becoming literate in their native language and in Nepali.

NBEC helps primary schools get more community involvement in formal education as well as literacy training for adults. Like ETC, NBEC focuses on making locally-meaningful education available to underserved populations. By integrating women's and children's education, NBEC's programs bring lasting benefits to the community. One of NBEC's major innovations has been to prepare reading and literacy training materials in the Shingsa language which had never been done before. The Nepali government has even adopted these materials into its own curriculum.

A major focus of NBEC currently is its Residential Schooling program in Khandbari, the district capitol. This program helps girls finish high school and provides training so they can become teachers in primary schools in their home communities. The Nepali government is committed to placing at least one female teacher in every school so NBEC students will be well positioned. By providing well-trained teachers from the local commuinity, NBEC ensures that the Bhotia people will have access to a nuturing educational environment. (more)