(By: Jay Panta, Sam Keon)

Jay Panta: The Visit That Changed Everything

Three summers ago, I traveled to Nepal with my family on a casual visit back to my parents’ homeland. As a second-generation Nepali-American, I had heard stories about life in Nepal and was aware of the lack of education in poor populations there; however, it was only when I witnessed it firsthand that I realized the stark education gap that exists, not only in Nepal but in communities worldwide.

One afternoon, I accompanied my grandmother to a small orphanage in Kathmandu where she often volunteered. I recalled watching her sit beside a group of kids, many of them around my age at the time, as she guided them through basic reading and writing exercises. Though resources were scarce, the students were engaged, curious, and eager to learn. I vividly remembered watching the orphans share a handful of worn-down books, some of which my grandmother had brought with her, and realizing just how different our academic worlds were.

What struck me the most was that I could see myself in those kids. We were close in age, shared a cultural background, and likely had similar dreams. But while I was reading 300-page novels in an air-conditioned classroom, the orphans were just now beginning to grasp basic literacy skills in a space with no reliable electricity. When I returned to my home in Dallas, Texas, I began researching the reasons behind this disparity. What I found ran counter to a common myth: it’s not that these kids are unmotivated or untalented. Rather, they don’t have access to stable educational resources and support. That revelation became the foundation of Tutoring2Inspire. I wanted to build something that could offer students like them the academic support they deserve, while also engaging youth like me to take action through tutoring, service, and cultural exchange.

Sam Keon: Turning a Local Problem into a Scalable Solution

From a young age, I noticed that not everyone had the same educational opportunities I did. I was fortunate to attend one of the top private schools in the world: a place filled with academic rigor, expansive resources, and endless chances to grow. But as I gained perspective, I began to see the extreme differences in access that surrounded me. The wealth and education disparity in Dallas, Texas, U.S., can be shocking, and it was eye-opening to realize how easily you could reach students with fewer resources and offer meaningful tutoring support.

It started with small actions, like having personal conversations with students who were eager to learn but lacked consistent guidance. I saw firsthand that ambition wasn’t tied to background: it just needed someone willing to invest time.

These experiences sparked an idea. I didn’t just want to help a few students — I wanted to build something that could scale. With a deep passion for business and system-building, I began to imagine a platform that could deliver personalized academic support to students, not just in DFW but also across the globe, through real human connection. I saw how technology could make that possible by enabling tutoring to happen remotely, across distance, without volunteers needing to travel or relocate. And later, after co-founding the organization with Jay Panta, the system was in place. I made it a priority to tutor students myself, staying directly involved in the mission I helped build.

Our Shared Vision

Though our journeys began in different places, we were driven by the same deep desire to bridge the education gap, whether in under-resourced neighborhoods in Nepal or underserved communities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We had both seen, in different ways, how access to consistent academic support could change lives. And we both believed that young people like us had the power to be part of that solution.

As classmates at the same high school and members of the same grade, we began working together — sharing ideas, conducting research, and exploring how to turn our vision into something real. We learned that tutoring, especially when personalized and consistent, could be life-changing. We also saw how technology could expand impact, enabling students and volunteers to connect regardless of location.

That collaboration eventually led to the founding of Tutoring2Inspire, an international, student-led nonprofit dedicated to providing free academic support to underserved students while also empowering youth to lead through service, leadership, and cultural exchange.

As Tutoring2Inspire’s impact grows, we’re seeking students, tutors, and donors to join the mission. You can contribute by signing up your child, volunteering your time, spreading the word, following socials, or supporting Tutoring2Inspire financially. Together, Tutoring2Inspire can empower the future through education.