When Passion Meets Technology
The woman who took over disjointed medicine dissemination with technology.
This year’s International Women’s Day is themed #BeBoldForChange and we thought we’d share our tête-à-tête with the bold and exuberant Sumana Shrestha.
Sumana Shrestha is a social entrepreneur, founder of Medication for Nepal (MFN) and Carpool Kathmandu. In 2015, she walked away from her corporate job at Boston Consultancy Group in the United States to return home and help survivors of the devastating earthquake.
She started Medication for Nepal during the unofficial Nepal-India blockade with a mission to provide access to medical drugs and supplies in remote areas of Nepal. MFN built a web-based platform that captures information about medicine shortages in remote areas of Nepal and enables these customers to direct their charitable funds in a very transparent, efficient and low-cost manner.
She holds a MBA degree from MIT Sloan School of Management.
We met Sumana and her crew in their office to learn more about their recent accomplishments. Shrestha took time from her bustling schedule to chat with us.
Here’s a glimpse of our quick chat with her.
What has changed in MFN since Global Entrepreneurship Summit?
Sumana: As there is a constant churn of people going abroad, it is definitely a new team that is leading MFN. We were supporting districts with medicines, we still do but in a limited amount. What we are doing now is going around and making sure people are aware of their health rights. My team goes around and conducts the awareness programs in schools along with health workers.
What has been some of the positive outcomes?
Sumana: Getting mentioned by Obama is a big thing in itself. It does help you get global attention and media coverage. There has been a surge in the number of donors.
“History is made by people who believe in themselves.” - Sumana Shrestha
What keeps you inspired ?
Sumana: It is really great to be able to solve even small problems and to try. It is good to have problems to solve. It keeps your life interesting but at the same time, it is great to have a team who you can rely or lean on.
What are you excited about at the moment?
Sumana: My travel app: K-travels. It is a first of its kind, audio travel guide for visitors to experience Kathmandu.
A message you would like to give to young women and people who would like to make a change?
Sumana: Everybody needs to realize polite people do not make history. History is made by people who believe in themselves and the strength of their convictions to overcome the shadows of their doubts. People need to realize that and keep chugging. It’s not enough to have ideas, it is also very important to persevere. Always try to develop and gain experience from people you respect.
Her social innovation Medication for Nepal is built in partnership with Leapfrog Technology. We wish Sumana and Medication for Nepal to keep on achieving impeccable milestones. You can support her initiative here.
If you’d like to read more from us. Subscribe here.
Leapfrog Technology, Inc. is a technology company that provides software development services for companies and individuals.
