Olive Branch Church · Pokhara, Nepal · Annual Programme since 2014
| 13Years Active | 10Recipients | NPR 79.8LTotal Awarded | 600+2026 Participants |
The Olive Branch Seva Scholarship is an annual award given by Olive Branch Church to one student in Pokhara whose education is tied to their service to the community. It is not a prize for grades alone. It is an investment in a student who has already shown — through years of consistent, verified community work — that their education will deepen what they give back.
The programme started in 2014 with a single award of NPR 4,50,000. It has grown steadily, had no award in 2018 (no application met the minimum service requirement), paused in 2021 and 2022 due to COVID-19 disruptions, and resumed stronger. The 2026 award of NPR 15,00,000 is the largest in the programme's history.
The scholarship is always paid directly to the recipient's educational institution upon confirmation of enrolment. It is never paid to the individual.
Each application is reviewed by a panel of church leaders, educators, and community representatives.
| Criteria | Description | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Community Service | Verified hours and quality of community service, volunteering, or social work | 30% |
| Academic Standing | School records (entering students) or college transcripts (enrolled students) | 25% |
| Statement of Purpose | A personal statement (400–800 words) on how the applicant's education will serve their community | 25% |
| Character Reference | Two references from community members, teachers, or religious leaders | 20% |
Applications open each year in March at the church office and through partner schools and colleges across Pokhara and Gandaki Province. Shortlisted applicants are invited for a brief conversation with the selection panel before the final recipient is chosen.
The recipient is announced at Sunday service and posted on the church notice board. The scholarship is transferred to the institution within 30 days of the announcement.
Darshan Poudel was selected on the basis of verified community service with Olive Branch Church, including sustained involvement in the Saturday food pantry and the church's literacy tutoring programme. The scholarship of NPR 15,00,000 was paid directly to the recipient's chosen institution upon confirmation of enrolment.
A complete record of every year of the programme. Click the year to view full details.
| Year | Recipient | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Darshan Poudel | NPR 15,00,000 | View |
| 2025 | Anisha Shrestha | NPR 12,00,000 | View |
| 2024 | Ramesh Rana | NPR 10,00,000 | View |
| 2023 | Sushma Karki | NPR 8,00,000 | View |
| 2022 | No award — Programme restarted post-COVID but no candidate completed required service hours during the disrupted academic year. | — | |
| 2021 | No award — Programme suspended due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. | — | |
| 2020 | Kamala Shrestha | NPR 5,80,000 | View |
| 2019 | Dipesh Thapa | NPR 7,00,000 | View |
| 2018 | No award — No application in this cycle met the minimum verified service requirement. | — | |
| 2017 | Bibek Karki | NPR 5,00,000 | View |
| 2016 | Anjali Rai | NPR 6,50,000 | View |
| 2015 | Prakash Sharma | NPR 6,00,000 | View |
| 2014 | Sunita Adhikari | NPR 4,50,000 | View |
Scholarship enquiries: scholarshipseva@olivebranchchurchpokhara.com
Applications open each year in March. Forms are available at the church office at 6X7G+VVF, Jyoti Marga, Pokhara 33700, and distributed through partner schools and colleges across Gandaki Province.